Music was an important facet of Ben Brown's childhood on a rural Midwestern farm. It had always been a vital part of his Cherokee, Irish and African American heritage; his mother commonly expressed her thoughts and feelings through song. His parents' appreciation for the music of the big bands, jazz, country-western and the music of so many other cultures exposed him to a great variety of musical styles and interpretations. His first exposure to the harp was Harpo Marx playing boogie-woogie and jazz.

Years later, in a harp world dominated by orchestral pedal harps and classical music, Ben singlehandedly reintroduced and helped repopularize a singular variety of folk harp which had been obsolete for close to 100 years with only three or four original European examples still in existence. He has proven this harp to be uniquely suited to the jazz, blues and improvisational music of his youth.

Twenty years after Ben Brown's reintroduction of the cross strung into the American folk harp world, the instrument boasts several hundred players and growing.

Dear Music Fans,

I play alot of the music I have written at concerts. Most people stand around watching and claping. If you like music I think we could be good friends, because that means we would have alot in common. I've been playing and writting music all my life. So if you have any questions about my life, music or want to play some frisbee come to the show. See you there.

Thanks,
Benjamin Ezra

I use my voice, guitar and harmonicas to make songs.

Influences include, but not limited to:
Bob Dylan
Wilco
Bright Eyes
Martin Sexton
Hayden
The Beatles

The Burnt Possum Poets is a trio of wordsmiths based in Harrisonburg, Virginia. They explore the minute differences between romance, nature, the divine and taxicabs. A musician first and foremost, Dan Easley composes and records songs and sound-scapes. In love with the world and everything in it, Jeremy Frey generates poems and creative nonfiction. Chad Gusler delivers short stories and sermons, often mixing both genres to expose and surpass the embedded boundaries of prose and the pulpit. Their work can be found at Burnt Possum and at Towndowner Records.

The Menno of the Night

Born of Mennonite hymns, classical training, bluegrass, and even classic rock, Christopher and Maria Clymer Kurtz perform original songs as well as an eclectic array of covers at venues including coffee houses, church gatherings, and weddings.

Chuck Neufeld is a folk singer, song writer, story teller, speaker, and co-pastor of Community Mennonite Church in Markham, Illinois (Chicago). Chuck's preoccupations have always included music and story-telling. His songs, stories, and talks reflect a deep commitment to community, peace, justice, and service. He believes that a dedicated response to Christ's call requires compassionate action and redemptive living, and that this results in radically altered lives and communities.