Rene Benton

There aren't many guitarists who possess the versatility as Rene Benton does.  Born in Omaha, Nebraska, his musical influences ranges from Kansas to Parliament Funkadelic.

After a stint in the Marine Corps, Rene decided to dedicate his energy towards music.  Touring extensively throughout U.S. and abroad, he has amassed quite a resume which includes Rock and Roll legend Chubby Checker, European Pop-Star Gigi Hamilton and Columbia Records recording artist Fishbone to name a few.  From 1999 to 2001, while living in Japan, he performed Tuhran Terrell (keyboardist/Anita Baker) and Jerome "Stixx" Davis (drummer Laface/Arista recording artist Tony Rich) and Hunter Gerrard (Soap Opera Star - General Hospital).

 
Years Playing Professionally -17 Years

 
Education - Studied Music Theory and Composition, Private Lessons with Tony MacAlpine and Blues legend Howlin' Wolf

 
Discography - Expressions, First solo effort, (Floodgate Entertainment Group), Gigi Hamilton (Warner EMI Sweden), No release date, DJ Suku (Avex Trax Japan), No release date.

 
Songwriting / Production Credits - Gigi Hamilton Warner/EMI Swedish performer (songwriter/producer), Shanthra Willis- background vocalist for Mariah Carey (songwriter/producer), Wade Martin UK pop star (songwriter/producer/guitarist).

 
Primary Influences - George Benson, Tony MacAlpine, Greg Howe, Anthony Lockett, Jesse Johnson.

 
Current Endorsements - Madison Amplification, VHT Amplification, Budda Amplification and pedals, Digitech Corp., Rocktron Signal Processors, KTS Titanium bridges, Tagg Custom Guitars, KXK Guitars, Seymour Duncan Pickups, NADY Wireless Systems, Old Dogg Guitar Stands, Gig-FX Chopper Pedal, Best-Tronics Guitar Cables, Basson Custom speaker cabinets, Techstar/Palmer speaker simulators, Voodoo Labs, Q-Lighting,  Digital Music Corp., Coloriffic Custom Pickguards.

 
Other Points of Interest -  Clinician for Madison Amplification, Guitar instructor (with emphasis on 7 string methods), have toured 39 states and 26 countries to date.