Song Premier: Ben Davis Jr.’s “Winding Binding Road” Sets Its Sights On The Future

Southeast Ohio-born singer/songwriter Ben Davis Jr. released his Roots EP in 2021, taking on a more stripped-down sound and recording with minimal overdubbing. The title track’s music video then won Davis Jr.’s 2nd place in the “WAHL USA Most Talented Beard in America Contest.” He has followed that high-point by readying a new single for release on July 28th, 2023, “Winding Binding Road.”

Currently, Ben Davis Jr. is a full-time performing musician, both in the studio and on the road. Working on new recordings and performances at many new venues in 2023, he’s often found playing out with his backing band, The Revelry.

We’re delighted to premier Davis Jr.’s new track, “Winding, Binding Road” here on Wildfire Music + News today, which he co-wrote with Michael C. Parris. This rocking Americana-accented song may reflect on quieter times and a tendency to withdraw from the world, but it sounds like a determined foray into self-knowledge. And that knowledge involves the sense of a future that is far from quiet or lonely, as Davis Jr.’s vocals soulfully insist.

It’s a salient, energizing reminder that accepting the changes that result in life’s ups and downs also means we are ready to encounter new possibilities and better able to seize them.

Ben Davis Jr. shares about the track:

This song started out as a verbalization of my general anxiety. I hide away from everyone in a quiet bar and reflect on the rest of my life. I paired with songwriter Michael C. Parris out of the great state of North Carolina to really help visualize the inner-workings of the mind of a traveling musician.  

On the new track, Ben Davis Jr handles guitar and lead vocals, Ben “Lafe” Ervin plays guitar, Eddie Ashworth handles keyboards, Chris Justice plays bass, Bryan Gibson is on drums. Darrin Hacquard is featured on backing vocals and tambourine, and Bobby Wheeler on backing vocals.

The song was Produced, recorded, and mixed by Eddie Ashworth at The Oxide Shed in Coolville Ridge OH, and engineered by Arman Lopeman. It was mastered by Gene “The Machine” Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering in Burbank, CA.

Ben Davis Jr. has been playing guitar since his youth and has always honed in on storytelling as well as playing in several local bands. He combines Country, Folk, and Rock to “create a deeply emotive sound that reflects the people, places, and memories of his home.”

Once he turned his focus to songwriting, Davis Jr. also collaborated with an array of regional musicians. His early influences include David Childers, Todd Snider, and The Avett Brothers, all of whom he discovered in 2007. In 2014, Ben shared the stage with The Avetts and Jason Isbellat the Nelsonville Music Festival.

His first two self-releases were The Day Before Payday (with the Dirt Poor Troubadours) and his debut solo EP, Leaving Cincinnati. In 2019, Ben released his second full-length album, Suthernahia,produced by Eddie Ashworth at The Oxide Shed in Athens, OH. This work pushed his musical vision from the Americana sound in which he is rooted, further into the realm of psychedelia.

REVIEW: Ben Davis Jr. Shows His ‘Roots’ On His New EP

Ben Davis Jr. Is a singer-songwriter from southern Ohio who has played guitar since age 14. In that time, he has honed his craft to the point that he stands among some greats when it comes to creating vivid imagery in a song. His latest is a five-song EP entitled Roots. On it, he blends folk, bluegrass, and rock while singing lyrics that make the songs come to life like photos in a Harry Potter novel.

The EP begins with “Lies,” which has a clear bluegrass influence that comes through not only in the mandolin and the strumming of the acoustic guitar but also in the vocal harmonies. The lyrics are self-deprecating but sincere. In it, he sings, “Please don’t tell me that you’re lucky, that I’m everything you hoped I would be. I’m gone half the time, and the other half you’re crying. Girl, quit your lyin’ to me.” It gives you a good snapshot into the relationship of the narrator.

Davis has a talent for creating songs that are a slice of life. He shares that in common with other midwestern singer-songwriters like John Hiatt. “Roots” is a great example. It really feels like he is showing off his hometown as he points out the chapel where his folks were married and the hill where his grandfather is buried. He also reminisces about a wreck on his bike that left him with a scar on his lip. It is a real and relatable song for anyone who has ever shown someone around the town where they grew up.

“Between Shut Off and Paid Up” is another relatable song for everyone who has ever struggled to make ends meet. As he picks an acoustic guitar in a Bob Dylan sort of style, he sings about some of the struggles like cutting the mold off of a stale loaf of bread and siphoning the gas out of a lawnmower. Toward the end of the song, he delivers the line that is the true meaning of the song that money doesn’t equal happiness with the line, “I’ve known a lot of cats with a fat stack on their side that will never know the joy this life can be.”

The EP is only five songs and 14 minutes, but it gives you enough of a sample to know that Davis is a talented songwriter and storyteller. It also gives you enough of a sample to want to hear more of his songs. The good ones always make it easy, and he certainly does that with pleasant melodies and lyrics that are as vivid as any photo. Roots is available everywhere now.

Live From HOME - Ben Davis Jr

Ohio University Concert Series & the Campus Involvement Center are pleased to present free virtual music series - LIVE FROM HOME curated by Bruce Dalzell. While originally conceived to take place at OU's Front Room...the realities of COVID have forced us to pivot. But we still want to bring music to your homes.

Live From HOME
with Bruce Dalzell
Featuring Ben Davis Jr

With support from Ohio Arts Council & Jackie O's

Ben Davis jr. Named Second Place Winner in Wahl Grooming "Most Talented Beard In America" Contest

STERLING, Ill., Nov. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben Tajnai from Milwaukee has graced thousands with his angelic voice, most notably singing the National Anthem for the Milwaukee Bucks. It's been said he was the team's lucky charm during the 2021 NBA Finals, and fans repaid him in a big way by helping him bring home his own big championship win. As the 1st place winner in the second-annual 'Most Talented Beard in America' contest, Tajnai scores $20,000 and the title of 'Wahl Man of the Year'. Hosted by men's grooming leader Wahl, the goal of the contest is to shine a spotlight on entertainers and achievers who make the world a better, or 'bearder,' place to live.

About the 'Most Talented Beard in America' Contest

Wahl knows there's a wealth of whiskered talent out there, so this past July the company launched a search for furry phenoms. Hundreds of hairy hopefuls submitted videos of their talents, 10 finalists were chosen, and public votes determined the top 3 winners. In addition to Tajnai's 1st place $20,000 prize, the 2nd place winner gets a hefty $10,000 and 3rd place walks away with $5,000.

Tajnai's well-earned beard bragging rights started well before this competition. "My beard is a huge part of who I am," he explained. "For as long as I can remember, I've been known as the big guy with the beard. It makes me approachable, especially when it comes to Bucks fans."

"My wife and I cried when we heard that I won," continued Tajnai. "We've been wanting to take our three kids on vacation for so long, and we finally have the means to do it. What's even better is that we know there will be money left over to donate to a charity."

According to Tajnai, his win is a testament to the amazing support of friends, family and the Milwaukee Bucks fans who voted for him. He also says he's in good company with the following runner ups, who also garnered impressive support:

  • 2nd Place winner Ben Davis Jr. from Chillicothe, OH, is a singer whose down-home song is accompanied by his acoustic guitar. His $10,000 prize is more than welcome after a tough year when earning a living as a musician was hindered. Davis plans to move to Nashville with the help of his prize money and take the next steps forward in his songwriting career.

  • 3rd Place winner Collin Smith from Omaha, NE, is a multi-talented marvel whose skills include smooth guitar playing, skateboarding, standing backflips and fire juggling. He takes home $5,000 and plans to use it to support his many ongoing pursuits as an artist.

Ben Davis Jr. Turns Inward On ‘Roots’

“Roots” (Supersensible Records) is Ben Davis Jr.’s most introspective release to date.

Inspired by an enormous shift in perspective Davis experienced and its reverberations through the Southeast Ohio-based singer’s personal and professional life, the EP is all at once poignant, nostalgic, and, most importantly, honest.

The writing of the EP began when Davis quit his nine to five job.

“I’d been there for a really long time and I needed a break from all of that. And I wasn’t really bought into society the way that it was, […] but it was really the best thing I could have done for myself personally because I became more in touch with nature and I hiked and I traveled around and played music and I got to see a lot of beautiful places and meet a lot of people,” said Davis. “We are definitely smaller parts of a bigger machine, and when you realize that, it’s kind of difficult. But when you realize that you start to understand that you should enjoy yourself at any opportunity you can because we aren’t promised a long time, and the way things are set up, we don’t get to enjoy a lot of our time.”

As Davis knows quite well, we live in a world dictated most of all by its dualities. And so, with the enormous independence Davis gained by leaving his nine to five job came drawbacks that Davis details on a track entitled “Between Shut Off and Paid Up.”

“Like the bridge of that song says: ‘I know that people say money makes the world go around, but that don’t make two cents to me,’ — I was trying to be funny, but I really meant that, too. I just didn’t have any regard in my life for money at all at the time. I just wanted to be happy and I was finally enjoying life again — but then I had this new pressure coming at me,” said Davis, who did everything from construction to selling crafts on the side to try and get his bills paid.

Throughout the EP Davis scrutinizes his varied romantic entanglements. As is the case for all of us who find ourselves wrapped up in such emotionally tumultuous circumstances with another person, some of the relationships Davis details are a source of excitement, and others – such as the one Davis delves into on the EP’s opening track, “Lies,” are more so a source of anxiety.

“Throughout my life I have found myself in relationships with some women that were outstanding people and who just really had invested all this time and education into making themselves the best they can. And my dream is to live in a van and play music and hopefully have just enough food to keep eating,” said Davis. “So I carry a lot of guilt when I am in a relationship like that, and that is what “Lies,” is about — just not believing that someone who has their act together, who has a lot going on for them, could really love me.”

The EP’s title track, “Roots,” speaks to a different, more optimistic place in a budding relationship Davis found himself in shortly after deciding to leave his nine to five job.

“I spent a lot of time digesting my life up to that point and considering how I got there and wondering what I should do next. I was also in a relationship around that time and we were really getting to know each other, and I was learning so much about myself and (my partner) was really along for the ride,” said Davis. “We would be driving around and I would tell her ‘I remember one time I was right here and I wrecked my bike and a rock went through my upper lip,’ and ‘this is where I went fishing for the first time, and I caught a lot of fish there,’ things like that. And I was just thinking, man, this is a cool feeling. And it happens pretty much in every relationship. There’s a time when you go home and talk about that kind of stuff.”

Multi-Genre Songwriter Ben Davis Jr. Discusses His New Single ‘Roots’, Upcoming EP, & More


"“Roots” came to me when I was early into a relationship. It’s about the feeling you get when you take your sweetheart for a ride through your hometown and tell stories about how you got to the moment you’re living in. Each line has a reference to my real-life experience and tells a little bit more about myself. " - Ben Davis jr.

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"Ramblin' Bones" Featured Closer on E2TG's Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - A Drunkard's Dream Mix

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

*Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is even included.



Made it back to Dee's last night for Madison Guild Monday for the first time in a while. Hosted by Tom Schreck. Schreck opened with a full band set which he calls Tom Schreck Escapes. As always great to see Tom play. His cover of "I Will Survive" was especially tasty. Tommy Womack was next with a surprise solo set. He will be back at Dee's Friday with a full band. He has a new single which is extremely timely. Next up, a shared set from two of my long time favorites Kiley Connell and Drew Kohl. They were followed by the always impressive Connor Rand who had Nicole Boggs join him for a few songs. Excellent stuff. By that time, I was exhausted and I had to bow out before Nicole Boggs and the Reel played. Hate that.

I have a busy week of great live music ahead and lots to do otherwise. Plus it is way to hot. But, anyway - Music! Today we dive back into the Trending playlist and we have some cool tunes for a hot day.

"City By The Sea" by Chris and Adam Carroll

Good Farmer - the new album by Chris and Adam Carroll is out in the world now. So, you know what to do! If you weren't part of the successful crowdfunding - hit your favorite music source and get this album. I only just got into Adam Carroll's music a few years ago, and I have been pretty obsessed with it ever since. Adding the wonderful Chris Carroll to the mix is pure magic. They are out on the road. If they come to your city, go see them. I know I will if they come.


"Junkie John Doe" by Big Evil

I was formed that this new Big Evil album is not really an album - it was more of a recorded rehearsal. Live and raw and direct. It's hard to imagine improving on what this is. Any way, in case you missed my earlier post or just forgot, Big Evil is a new band featuring Ben de la Cour, Chris Watts, Joseph Lekkas, and Pete Pulkrabek. They will be at The 5 Spot next Wednesday with Slump Test which features Ben Douglas and Ryan Dishen.


"Afterlight" by Evi Vine

Next up, we have a track from Black Light White Dark by London based Evi Vine. The album features an impressive line-up of guest featuring members of The Cure, Shriekback, and more).


"Drifting Away (Synthetic Capricorn Mix)" by Beauty in Chaos

Next up, we have another track from Beauty in Chaos - the assemblage formed by Michael Ciravole (Human Drama). This track has an insane line-up: namely Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and Michael Anthony of Van Halen. This remix - from the Beauty Re-Envisioned album is by Paul Wiley of Marilyn Manson and Steven Alexander Ryan of Black Queen.


"Devil" by Mark Cline Bates

Next, we have another excellent song from King of the Crows by West Virginia singer-songwriter Mark Cline Bates. I am digging this album.


"Shove" by Eye Said So

Next up, we have another track from the self-titled debut by Austin based Eye Said So - which is a two man band described as Schizo pop.


"Up on Cripple Creek" by Mrs. Henry

Next up, we have another song from that Last Waltz tribute by Mrs. Henry. This is a Robbie Robertson penned song by mentions the town where my mom and dad first met.


"Daylight Came" by Dizraeli

Next up, we have a first listen to the forthcoming album The Unmaster by UK artist Dizraeli. Dizraeli is a rapper, producer, social activist, and spoken work artist. He was a winner of the BBC Poetry Slam Championship. The album is autobiographical, and I have been digging what I have been hearing so far. More to come for sure.


"Mockingbird" by Andy Statman

Next, we have another track from Monroe Bus by the talented musician Andy Statman. The album is a tribute to the great Bill Monroe as well as a showcase for Andy Statman's amazing work.


"Head Above Water" by Creature and the Woods

Next, we have a track from the J Tree EP by San Diego based Creature and the Woods. The record was recorded in Joshua Tree and it is a beautiful and powerful work.


"Ramblin' Bones" by Ben Davis, Jr.

Suthernahia is due out Friday. I have been digging this album, and I really loved this song. Check it out!