Ben Hall

Ben Hall, a guitarist and vocalist from Okolona, Mississippi, specializes in the fingerpicking thumbstyle approach to country music, evoking the legends of the form. Having first picked up the guitar at six years old, he rapidly imitated the sounds of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, and the Louvin Brothers, artists his parents introduced through their record collection. The youngster earned second place at the National Thumbpicking Contest held in Mountain View, Arkansas, during 2002, a feat he repeated on multiple occasions thereafter. National and international victories in thumbstyle guitar competitions came his way in 2005, alongside the Horizon Award bestowed by the National Thumbpicker’s Hall of Fame. His masterful command of the instrument and deep roots in tradition drew notice from the broader country scene, leading to a bond with the aging Charlie Louvin that included joint performances prior to the latter's death in 2011. Additional stage appearances have paired him with talents such as Candi Staton, Kurt Wagner, and Jeannie Seeley. The year 2011 also saw the release of his debut solo effort, issued under his own name by Tompkins Square.