Springfield, Illinois' Ben Bedford was raised in Auburn, and Chatham, Illinois. He listened to the Beatles, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Cash and B.B. King. He started playing guitar at 14 with a focus on the blues. In college he discovered the music of Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt and then later Richard Shindell and Patty Griffin.
Ben graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in History. He worked for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency summers and winters during college and then for one year full time upon graduation. "I have always loved a well told story and history is full of great ones."
"Land of the Shadows is brilliant."
Philip C. Kolin, Professor of English, University of Southern Mississippi
A milestone achievement from one of America's finest young writers. Ben Bedford, of Springfield, Illinois, writes story songs with compassion, insight and discipline in equal measure. These tales are so honed to essence they transport us headlong into the passion and meaning of past events. Not only is every lyric polished like a gem, the production - featuring Charles Williams'... More>>>
"...a rich, story-filled collection that portrays like a web of lay lines, mankind's interlaced journey across America down through the centuries."
Arthur Wood, FolkWax
"Beautiful and unusual story songs that take the listener to the heart of the matter"
Diana Jones, Singer-Songwriter
With songs deep in emotion and lyrics expressive and poignant, Ben Bedford delves through human experience in unique ways, often drawing upon American history for inspiration.
From life as a Confederate... More>>>
