We spent a lovely and unseasonably warm fall morning playing music and watching people eat delicious food at the delightful Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights on Saturday. We love the professional sound system and the flattering lighting, and especially how nice the staff is. (click above for more…)

It’s decorative gourd season! Ben, Andy, and Elizabeth celebrated with a very fun set at the Middlebury Fall Festival: great sound, an appreciative audience, and kettle corn: really, the perfect gig. (click above for more…)

“What’s up, Chicago town—it’s me: ya boi.”

Ben returned to the City of the Big Shoulders for a private event with Don Stiernberg on mandolin, Marc Edelstein on bass, Peter Seman on fiddle, and Chris Walz on banjo. Solid as it gets.

All cowboy’ed up to celebrate the big anniversary of the Radio Flyer wagon company at their headquarters in Chicago. Pete Smith, Elizabeth Loring, Ben, and Josh McPartland. If you want a fun gig, we recommend a place that makes toys!

We love a good bluegrass brunch, and this was a very good one! A fun, relaxed Sunday morning and great food at the Goblin & the Grocer in Beverly Shores, Indiana.

We were happy to be invited to perform at this year’s Rally at the Alley as a fundraiser for the Elkhart, Indiana ArtWalk. It was a beautiful day and they sent us some nice photos!

The critics are raving about our performance at the Acorn last night! Okay, it's just one critic, but it is Newsday's media critic, Diane Werts! Okay, she didn't write this particular piece for Newsday, but STILL.

"Our own Elizabeth Loring absolutely kills it Friday with her group the Ben Benedict Band at Three Oaks' fun-n-funky venue the Acorn Theater. They opened for hot bluegrass faves Chris Jones and the Night Drivers."

It was a great night, with Bryan Garlotte sitting in on “The River” and Chris Jones himself guesting on “Zion’s Hill.” (Photo by Jon Weisberger)

It’s a little sweaty this year, but we always have a great time at Valley Honda’s annual summer party. Friendly folks and a beautiful location in Yorkville, IL. And five kinds of pie.

It is always so exciting to be part of the inspired madness that is Marc Smith’s Uptown Poetry Slam at the venerable Green Mill in Chicago. Besides playing the “in between” set, we backed up Marc as he read a poem, and that is a thrill all by itself. Here’s a bass-player’s-eye view.

We've been told that our good friends at The General in Chicago’s Logan Square will be closing their doors after this weekend. While this is indeed sad news, they have asked the us to give them a good, solid send-off.

Man, we had a great time opening up for Cornmeal as part of their Hometown Holiday Hoedown at Martyr's last night. We played a fun set to an enthusiastic crowd, and later Ben, Andy, and Pete joined their old friends in Cornmeal on stage for a high-powered jam.

Spectacular views of amazing architecture, people pulling up in their yachts to hop out and drink a glass of wine, and tourists paddling by in rented kayaks. Who could ask for anything more?