Ben has performed and/or recorded with: Heart, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Buddahead, Taj Mahal, Cyndi Lauper, Lovemongers, Pete Droge, Don Gilmore, Tracy Nelson, Boy Meets Girls, Deniece Williams, Peter Frampton, P.F. Sloan (legendary producer and writer of "Eve of Destruction" and "Secret Agent Man"), Cornelius Bumpus, Danny O'Keefe, Sugar Pie de Santos, jazz artists Nancy Wilson, Ernestine Anderson and Glenn Alexander, Phoebe Snow, The Songcatchers featuring Charles Neville, Kenny G, banjo god Danny Barnes, as well as many other talented artists live and in the studio.........
Ben began performing with Ann and Nancy Wilson in 1994, with their band Lovemongers including founding members Frank Cox and Sue Ennis for benefit shows for Earth Day, and the Home Alive CD release. Lovemongers then recorded "Whirligig", which was followed up with a tour in '97. Performing on that tour was Elaine Summers, who Ben also played with. In 1998 Ben recorded with Lovemongers on the holiday album "Heart Presents A Lovemonger's Christmas".
Ben began performing with Heart in '96, including performances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", the "Ann Wilson of Heart" tour '96, the "VH-1 Fairway to Heaven" concert '96, and the "Ann Wilson of Heart" concert tour '98, as well as the '02 "Summer of Love" US tour with Heart, which included Ann and Nancy Wilson, Mike Inez on bass, Scott Olson on guitar and Tom Kellock on keys. Recorded at the last stop on their 2002 tour, “Alive in Seattle†documents an impeccable performance by the band highlighting their biggest hits. In 2003, Heart continued to build momentum, with Gilby Clarke on Guitar and Darian Sahanaja on keys, this group did the Leno show and filled US venues. 2004 saw Heart touring again, with Craig Bartock on guitar and Debbie Shair on keys, and it was this combination of people who recorded a new release from the band, "Jupiters Darling", which quickly became a critic and fan favorite. In support of this release the band performed on Conan, the Today Show, and some dates in Europe, and another packed US tour. This line-up toured extensively and recorded in 2005 and 2006. In 2006 the band performed on VH1's Dedades Rock Live, not long after which bassist Mike Inez departed to work with his band Alice in Chains, and Heart added Ric Markmann on bass, previously of Chris Cornell and Eleven.......Ben recorded in September 2006 for Ann Wilson's solo record "Hope and Glory", featuring performances by Sir Elton John, Alison Krauss, Shawn Colvin, rufus Wainwright, KD Lang, Gretchen Wilson, Nancy Wilson, and others, produced by Ben Mink. In 2007 Heart continues to be active, with the Dreamboat Annie Concert for Direct TV in April, VH 1 Rock Honors television performance in May (which featured Heart along with ZZ Top, Ozzy Osbourne and Genesis, with contributing performances by Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, and others); tv and radio on September and October which featured A&E's Private Sessions, a show for XM Radio, and many concert dates which led the band to Canada, and all over the US thru Nov. this year........to Heart thru heart-music.com
Ben recorded drums for the Cameron Crowe film (and soundtrack) "Almost Famous", with Nancy Wilson composing and performing, featuring Peter Frampton and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, which included the songs by the band "Stillwater". The soundtrack for this film won the Grammy award for Best Soundtrack at the Grammys 2001, and the film took the Oscar for Best Screenplay. He also performed with Nancy Wilson and Mike McCready for the Cameron Crowe film "Vanilla Sky" starring Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz, including the song "I Fall Apart", sung by Cameron Diaz. Ben recorded for Cameron Crowe's film "Elizabethtown" and also co-wrote a song during the session with Mike Inez and the film's composer Nancy Wilson. Other film work includes "Smoke Signals", "Around the Fire", "Skins" and "Mod Squad", all with composer BC Smith.
Other recording work Ben has done include projects drumming for Buddahead, Subminute Radio and Shoveljerk, all for producer Don Gilmore; various recordings for producer/writer Pete Droge; work with Peter Himmelman; shows and/or recordings w/Glenn Alexander, Tracy Nelson, Boy Meets Girl, producer Thom Bell, Danny O'Keefe, Danny Barnes, various projects for producer Mark Wolfson, PJ Newman, Taj Mahal, Deniece Williams, Christine Evans, Tingstad Rumbel, Phoebe Snow, Mark Pender, jazz vocalists Ernestine Anderson and Nancy Wilson, and many amazing, hard working musicians world wide......
Ben endorses Pearl drums and Zildjian cymbals and sticks, and LP percussion. Here's his drum set up:
Ben's Kit is a Pearl MMX Masters Series Diamond Burst
A. 22x18 bass drum B. 10x8 tom C. 12x9 tom D. 13x10 tom E. 14x11 floor tom F. 16x13 floor tom G. 14x5.6 Gregg Keplinger 6 x 14 snare drum, with Pearl 5 1/2 x 14 Diamond Burst wood snare
Pearl P2002C double bass drum pedal H2000 hi-hat S2000 snare stand D2000 throne T2000 dbl. tom stand x 2 B1000 cymbal holder x 3 RH2000 remote hi-hat AX25L adapter AX38 adapter x 3 PTT1212 percussion table, LP 50th Anniversary Djembe and LP hand percussion