To have passion for music is one thing, but to have the ability to understand it naturally, with no outside teaching, is another. These artists can teach themselves how to play an instrument upon hearing a piece of music or write a song from their subconscious. Ben Gallaher is one of those artists. With instinctive knowledge of guitar and songwriting, Gallaher plays the strings honoring his guitar heroes while writing personal lyrics that connect to one’s soul, like his current single “Every Small Town” released in February.
We caught up with Gallaher to talk about his musical instincts, his latest single, and whether new music is around the corner.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
BG: I was raised in central Pennsylvania and moved to Nashville, TN in 2011 where I currently live with my wife. I grew up on 90’s country and started playing guitar at age six. Since then, I knew being a country music artist was all I ever wanted to do. When I’m not playing or creating music, I can be found hunting, fishing, or enjoying the outdoors—it’s a big part of who I am.
CN: As we hit the one-year mark of COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
BG: I am extremely thankful that my inner circle has been safe and healthy during this time! With the extra time spent off the road over the last year, I have had a really great opportunity to focus on my songwriting – some of my favorite songs have actually been written over Zoom! I can’t wait to be on the road again and look forward to getting my band and crew back to playing live shows.
CN: Picking up the instrument for the first time at the age of 6, you taught yourself how to play the guitar by playing along to songs on the radio. When did you realize that you could play by ear? Do you play any other instruments?
BG: I don’t remember the exact moment I realized it, but I always had an instinct about the 6 strings. Before I ever picked up a guitar though, I played drums and I think that influenced my rhythm and timing.
CN: What was the first song you taught yourself on the guitar?
BG: “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw! I would strum along with a toy plastic guitar before I learned how to actually play it.
CN: With so many legends from Clapton to Plant to Hendrix to today’s Mayer and Clark Jr, who is your guitar hero?
BG: There are too many musical legends to pick just one! I will always be a fan and student of Vince Gill, Brent Mason, Keith Urban, Gary Clark Jr., and Gary Rossington to name a few!
CN: Which artists have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban
CN: For a decade you have visited the Pennsylvania Prison system on your annual “Prison Tour,” playing your music for various prison populations. How have these performances affected you personally and professionally? What has the feedback from the inmates been like?
BG: For over a decade, I have played solo-acoustic at the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institutions and it has truly been one of the most unique experiences of my musical career.
I believe music is universal regardless of the audience or venue. As an artist and songwriter, my goal has always been to connect with people through my music and lyrics. I’ve seen the connection first hand at every one of those performances. Country music has always been centered on the lyric and this specific audience latches onto every word—you can hear a pin drop during my set.
When an inmate comes up to me after the show and says, “Those songs just changed my entire outlook on life and gave me a sense of hope and positivity.” It’s a powerful thing. That is why I have done it for 10+ years.
CN: This past February you released your debut single off Quartz Hill Records “Every Small Town” which pays tribute to the American small town, blue collar worker – the heart of our Nation. A co-write with songwriters Ash Bowers and Jim Collins, what inspired you to write this song?
BG: We wrote “Every Small Town” in 2016. I was touring the midwest heavily at that time and was passing through and playing in one stoplight towns. This song is personal to me because it represents how I grew up and my lifestyle, and was also inspired from my touring as an artist.
CN: How important is it for songs like “Every Small Town” to be written and played during a time when it feels like our Country is wandering?
BG: “Every Small Town” is a song about the American spirit and American pride. It’s about community, hard work, family, friends, God, and values. Those types of songs are important and timeless.
CN: The lyric video for this single was really special as you invited your fans to submit photos of them in their small towns. What was the reaction from your fans?
BG: There’s no better way to connect with fans than live shows. But because we couldn’t do that this year because of COVID, we asked my fans to submit photos and videos of them in their towns to be featured in the lyric video. It was such a fun and unique process to see the overwhelming amount of support and content that was submitted! The fans got creative with it and the video came out awesome!
CN: Like “Every Small Town,” most of your original songs tackle themes that are personal or important to you. Can you take us through your songwriting process? Do you prefer to write during sessions or solo?
BG: I love writing songs—I write 4-5 times a week, usually with 2-3 other songwriters. For me, my songwriting process can happen a variety of different ways. Sometimes a tune is born from a lyrical idea or hook and other times a song is derived from a guitar riff. I’ve woken up in the middle of the night with song ideas, but also have had ideas sparked from a conversation with someone. I am passionate about writing about things that matter—topics and ideas that someone can relate to and connect with. Conway Twitty once said, “A good country song takes a page out of somebody’s life and puts it to music.” That’s a quote that has stayed with me throughout my songwriting career.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
BG: That’s a great question—it’s difficult to choose just one, but a Vince Gill collab would be awesome!
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
BG: Aaron Tippin in Hershey, PA!
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
BG: Passionate. I give my all in everything I do.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
BG: The “Every Small Town” 5 song EP is going to be released in the very near future!
Tune-In Alert: On Tuesday, April 27 Ben Gallaher will be taking over our Instagram! Be sure to tune in!
Stream or download “Every Small Town” here.
For more information on Ben Gallaher, visit his website at www.bengallaher.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.