Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Glass.
Hi Ben, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born on a ranch in Midland, Texas. At three years old, I distinctly remember being asked what I wanted to do when I grow up, and I always responded with the same thing. “I want to be a rockstar.” Then the next day I said I wanted to be a doctor. That’s your typical three-year-old, I guess though.
Around 6 years old right before moving to Colorado, I got to see a family friend and his son play guitar. It was all I could talk about for a long time! At 9 years old, I finally convinced my Dad to get me a guitar so I could start learning. Even when I got frustrated and quit guitar lessons to try the drums; I never stopped playing the guitar. I just kept playing. I like to say I was a bedroom guitarist for the most part. My parents decided to homeschool my brothers and me. I was terrible at video games; so I had lots of time to practice.
Growing up my dad always emphasized the importance of getting a good education. So I decided to pursue a career in medicine. I joined Colorado State University as a biomedical science major with a focus on Neuro anatomy. I remember those long nights in the library studying with friends, writing charts on whiteboards, and memorizing physiology and organic chemistry pathways. Little did I know that studying would be the exact thing I’m doing after school. Additionally, I tutored and taught students organic chemistry and human gross anatomy.
I was getting coffee with a friend one day during my junior year, and she said to me “Ben, I’ve never heard you talk about wanting to be a doctor… You’re gonna move to Nashville to be a guitarist right?” I replied, “Secret is out huh?” I knew I could not be a good doctor if my heart was set on something else. Later that week, I finally told my dad that I didn’t want to be a doctor anymore. He laughed and said “I knew that for a while! You have to finish and graduate though!” I only had a year left so I honored that request.
After graduating in 2019, I moved to Nashville in January of 2020 with my other guitarist friend Ben Sailors. Talk about good timing. I contacted my worship pastor in Fort Collins, Colorado and he connected me with Gideon Klein. Gideon plugged me into this scene of incredible players, writers, and artists. I had lived in town for ten weeks and, boom, Covid hit. I drove back to Colorado and felt like I had gone through the worst breakup ever. I remember praying as I crossed the TN/KY state line and I got this feeling that going back home wouldn’t go unrewarded.
After coming back, I networked with artists and writers until I finally got a call to do some gigs. I started touring in the middle of 2021 with Reyna Roberts opening for Jamey Johnson. Helluva first tour. Since then I’ve been able to work with incredible artists such as Kensie Coppin, Emma Zinck, Ashley Elle, Elise Trouw, Ariel Boetel, Reyna Roberts, Gable Bradley, Jonah Prill, and John Morgan some in the studio and live.
As well as opening for some amazing greats in this industry such as Jamey Johnson, Whiskey Myers, the Fray, Goo Goo Dolls, Sheryl Crow, Lennon Stella, Reba McEntire, and Jason Aldean.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m gonna completely skip the Covid situation. That sucked for everyone.
They say hindsight is twenty-twenty, but it was a real struggle going out every night trying to meet people. I can not emphasize this enough. Every person you meet in this town could lead you to something good. I’m not saying they always do, but approaching this town with a relationship-building mindset is so vital to building a community. Getting over the little voice that says “none of this is working” was a big hurdle for me. It’s all important! If you approach everyone with kindness and a genuine love for what you do you will go far.
People also talk about the imposter syndrome that can come with working in this industry. I know I struggled with it for a while. At a certain point, I just looked myself in the mirror and said “I worked really hard to get where I am.” Like a lot of guitarists I know we’re always hyper-critical of ourselves and our playing. Realizing that you’re always gonna be harder on yourself when you are tired or had a bad day was another good realization.
You have to invoke the “gentle hours” policy. After a certain time of night, I don’t think about music, practice guitar, or watch anything related to music. Taking a break is ok!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a “hired gun” guitarist. I’m essentially a freelance guitarist for hire.
I will get contacted to play shows for an artist, learn the material and show up to the venue or bus on time ready to go! I’ve been able to work for a wide variety of artists in my time in Nashville. My goal is to become a full-time session guitarist. I have been able to track guitars for Ashley Elle, Jonah Prill, Elise Trouw, and Ariel Boetel in the studio. My first session in town was for Ashley Elle at Starstruck studios. Which was an incredible honor.
In addition to being a live and session guitarist, I’ve also been writing with several different writers and artists in town. My best friend Jacob Harshman, who lives in Atlanta, is one of the most talented musicians and writers I’ve ever seen in my life. We began writing together in early 2021 and the first few songs we wrote solidified that writing had to be a part of what I do as a musician in this town.
Anything involving the behind-the-scenes creation of music is what drives me to pursue it more and more each day.
Currently, I’m working closely with Ariel Boetel and Tripp Weir writing and tracking Ariel’s first release as a recording artist. This has been a very exciting experience for me as a writer and guitarist. I can’t wait for this project to be released!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I’m sure luck and God have certainly played a role in my experience in this town. that being said, if I didn’t work hard to get where I am now, would any of it have happened? Absolutely not! I firmly believe that opportunity presents itself in small forms. I know I stepped into this journey with a lot of faith and blind trust.
If you are a good person, are on time, and are prepared for the gig, (that’s arranged in most to least important) you will find work in this town. If I was a terrible person and the best player in this town I would NEVER get hired for anything.
One of my heroes in this town once said “have you ever noticed the more you work the more opportunities you get?”
And he’s right. The other thing about this town is that things take time. None of this is supposed to happen quickly.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
@cjbownphotography
