Hometown: Geneva, IL
Label: Jack Hammer Records, Jack Hammer Records
Management: Jack Hammer
Website: twitter.com
Genre: Singer Songwriter
Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter/Author
In 2005 shortly after releasing his 2nd CD "Farther Than The Eye Can Stare", Ben got a call from the Senior VP at Warner Bros Music who gave him excellent reviews and reported a definite influence of Mark Knopfler.
Soon after the Warner Bros contact Ben was contacted by Bill Scull a former radio promoter executive for Polydor, Elektra/Asylum Records, and Arista Records where he worked for Clive Davis. Bill Scull said everyone he played it for said it sounded like the Doors and Dire Straits and was given great reviews. Bill Scull said that all Ben's songs were good and the one thing the legendary Clive Davis taught him is that "it's all about the song". "Do you want a record deal said Bill Scull?"
It appeared the doors were beginning to open and so Ben went back into the studio to record another album. "I wrote 2 songs on the spot in the studio which one later became the theme and title for the next effort called "Strumming With The King" released in 2007."
"Alakazam" is Ben's 4th complete album in the rock category released in 2009.
At the end of 2009 Ben co-wrote a song "The Fire Next Time" with the A&R Director of Vanguard Records who was formerly the Senior VP of Warner Bros Music.
"This collaboration effort was an honor enabling me to co-write and produce with someone who has worked directly for some of the greatest artist's of all time including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young,
Mark Knopfler & Dire Straits, Green Day, and many more."
Ben Miller released a number of rock singles between 2011-2014 that were later released again under the band name Magic Caravan as a full album. Ben's newly formed band Magic Caravan released the self titled rock album Magic Caravan in August 2015. The song "Magic Caravan" was later nominated as a finalist in the 2018 Discover contest sponsored by College Underground Radio.
In 2015 Ben Miller wrote a non-fiction book called "Quest of the Giant J" and is available on Amazon in ebook or paperback.
Acoustic sessions album "Genius of the Divine" by Ben Miller was released in late 2016.
Instrumental acoustic Jazz album Warm Springs Band was released exclusively with Reverbnation on September 13th 2017. In 2020 the hot new single MAGIC CARAVAN #3 earned radio promo attention and was officially released in late 2021 on the album "Breaking Thru The Barricade", including 38 tracks with blues, rock, and singer songwriter songs along with a few classic covers as well.
26 new tracks released September 4th 2023 on album Magic Caravan Vol.2
Magic Caravan Vol.3 is currently being compiled and slated for release in the near future.
Ben Miller as a solo artist and with his band Magic Caravan has been played on the radio in many countries and distant hot spots world wide via FM/AM and internet.
Ben founded Jack Hammer Records in 2003 where he remains an active writer, producer, and composer. As an author Ben Miller has also converted his book "Quest of the Giant J" into a screenplay for a movie which was suggested by his literary agent Fred Price who had made over 200 movies during his extensive Hollywood career. "Quest of the Giant J" is also currently being considered as the premise for a tv show on History Channel and various television networks. Stay Tuned.
Bookings email : GM - Jack Hammer
Jackhammerrecords@gmail.com
“Greetings my outstanding artist, I came across the track " Golden Gulch" which is so magnificent and wonderful.”
DJ MAR - ReverbNation
“Love your work on Breaking Thru The Barricade and Colorado Skyland!”
Ray Ray - Artists Forward
“I listened to more of your work, and I am just floored. Good music!”
Dora - N1M
“Hi! I've been listening to your music these last couple of days non-stop, I played your music for my friends at a dinner party, and everybody instantly loved it!”
Dora - N1M
“Your music is absolutely awesome!! You are doing a great job. Keep it up.”
India - N1M
“Your music is Very beautiful and simple but most of all innovative and unique. All the big ticket artists could learna thing or two from your stuff.”
Tamara - N1M
“Congratulations,
Your song ‘‘Magic Caravan'' has made it to the finals of the discover contest.
College Underground Radio”
College Underground Radio - Reverbnation
“I dig the guitar on Time Traveler! With the vocals it reminds me of Tom Waits.
Love the guitar work and the Tom Wait sound! Excellence!!!”
Stellar Revolution - Reverbnation
“I have reviewed your music and I absolutely love it! ITNS Radio's Regular Rotation runs every Saturday @ Noon Central Time @ https://www.spreaker.com/user/itnsradio”
Sam Watkins - ITNS Radio
“Would love to add your music to our regular rotation. We have over 7 years on the air and over 100,000 listeners and play all genres from all over the world. Our company has been in business for over 11 years.”
Sam Watkins - ITNS Radio
“Dear Magic Caravan,
Happy Friday! Maria here just following up from Power XR Los Angeles!
I’ve got some good news. We had a chance to sit down and listen to your single at our last meeting and the team here at Power XR liked it a lot! As an initial step, Stryker has put your single in rotation on our new artists playlist: www.powerxr.com/new”
Maria - Power XR Los Angeles
"Thunder Step" caught our attention.
Nick -Customer & Artist Relations - Magroove.com
“Some great stuff. I randomly stumbled upon your music one day and am so glad i did. Keep up the good work.
I will definitely be checking this site regularly”
Maxine - Number One Music
“I love your music so much! It kept me hooked and I kept listening to it on replay.”
Alison - Number One Music
“I like your music. Along with the influence of Mark Knopfler, I clearly hear Gordon Lightfoot.”
The Thomas Music Project - Reverbnation
“You’ve got a really brilliant record out and we would be so excited to help you get this work to radio. Ben has such a unique style and the work really is a standout from other singer-songwriters we come across. We believe the DJs will respond. Based on the first listen of your album, we think “Infinity of Love” would be well received by DJs and radio audiences. It had such an interesting and unique arrangement and was anchored by very powerful lyrics speaking a strong message in these bizarre times. “The Hitchhiker” was also a fantastic track- an excellent traveling song with powerful and important lyrics.”
Will Harvey - Acoustic Rainbow Sampler
““hi, just listened to your tune Magic Caravan again and I must tell you that your music is AMAZING!!
You definitely have to join our network at N1M, so we can recommend your stuff via newsfeeed as well.”
Alison Macondray - Number One Music
“MAGIC CARAVAN and THE ALCHEMIST...BRILLIANT SONGS.”
Steve Inglis - Reverbnation
“Really great work! I enjoyed your music very much, especially The Alchemist, which is superb!”
Pete Zachares - Reverbnation
"Magic Caravan" is excellent - full of invention and originality. Exciting and engrossing.
Chris Ingram - Reverbnation
“Golden Gloves is a superbly sweet kickass groove that is deceptively simple. layered clean and sharp. and Let's Start A Party's funky percussion adds just the right spice to this acoustically flavored groove that really rings my bell...and The Alchemist beautifully cruises the edge of a Dead groove . Such a deft variety of grooves, lyrically masterful, rhythmically blended for tightly satisfying tapestries.
Magic Caravan”
Dave Namerow - Reverbnation
“Hey we really like your music and would like to feature you on our website. Tweet us back if you are interested.”
New Music @theindie_music - Twitter
“I checked out your music on Reverbnation and I am very impressed. Seriously, Magic Caravan is sick! Let me know if you want to do some collaborative concert efforts”
Animal Factory - ReverbNation
“
i was told i would be delighted to discover your music, your style and flavor is stellar! i just know big things are coming your way! hope to hear more music from you soon!
”
Muji - ReverbNation
“Great sound!! Great music!!
”
JOA - ReverbNation
“
The Fire Next Time / very coool vibes))) here”
X-RAY IMIJ (A Jimi Hendrix Tribute) - ReverbNation
“A+ sound!”
David Sanders-- Universal Republic - Reverbnation
“I really like "Golden Gloves"!!!”
Bobby Collins, CEO Spectra Records - -
“A Saturday evening listening to great music and escaping to another world... thank you for your part in our journey this evening!
”
SuckerPush - ReverbNation
“Outstanding songwriting and exceptionally compelling performances! --”
Kerry Leigh - RverbNation
“Very interesting and exciting writing ) enjoyed your tracks !!!”
Hillbilly Dix - ReverbNation
“GREAT Music Guys, Really Enjoyed my Listen..”
Ron Sillito - ReverbNation
“
Great songs, great recordings. You rock!!!!!!!!”
Kriz Rogers - ReverbNation
“Hey Y'all, We Love Your Sound, Style, And Tunes. Keep On Rockin'”
Eatrh/Sky - ReverbNation
“Great songs,Great sound!!”
Vecchi Brutti - ReverbNation
“Fresh, melodic, cool grooves..... Sounds great, real treat listening to your music! Thanks for sharing”
Spirit Lifter - ReverbNation
"Dragons Lair"...Great sound you have here
Dc Villans - ReverbNation
“Great arrangements!! well done Ben, keep it goin”
Fatbo Suess - ReverbNation
“
a big fat WOW..you are nothing but talent oozing out my speakers.”
Bumble - ReverbNation
“Killin it brother!!! AWSOME”
C Markham - ReverbNation
“Listening to "The fire next time" can hear the Dire Straits comparison in this song. Great listen today
”
Kim Guthrie - ReverbNation
“Great mood and sound on "The Fire Next Time"!
”
John Revitte - ReverbNation
“Ben... Great collection of tracks here!! I love your musical flavor!!
”
Mark Brooks - ReverbNation
“Dragon's Lair is a true gem. Great guitar music.”
Frank Smith - ReverbNation
“Golden Gloves cranked on headphones! It doesn't get much better than this. Your music is the real deal. Frank Smith”
Frank Smith - ReverbNation
“A fan sent me a request asking if I used the Knopfler finger picking technique on my new song "Golden Gloves"?
Response:Yeah I used the Mark Knopfler Claw technique on Golden Gloves. You have a good ear my friend.
I dont always use the Claw technique but when I do I prefer to do it with style.
Stay thirsty my friends”
Himself - Him
“I especially appreciate the guitar in these songs, and I also think the voice fits the music...Good tunes!!!
”
Jeanine In January - ReverbNation
“Loving the guitar in these tracks!”
Kristen Rau - ReverbNation
“brilliant, keep up the excellent work”
Second Journey - ReverbNation
“Crankin it way LOUD = Lovin the raw unbridled energy here! Peace, love and respect from philly!
”
TE Fireoved - ReverbNation
“Love your guitar work!”
Rhonda Mackert - ReverbNation
“Great stuff!!!Keep up the excellent work!!”
Pace Ride - ReverbNation
“Great vocals and guitar work!!!”
John Revitte - ReverbNation
“Your excellent music is part of our playlist for a great weekend.”
Anchorage Alaska - ReverbNation
“Enjoyed your music very much, great band.”
Friends of Poncho - ReverbNation
“
Sweet acoustic blues on Let's Start a Party or a Revolution...gotta love that slide..nice groove u worked into...yeah!!”
Danger Vain - ReverbNation
“
Hi Ben...FABULOUS MUSIC!!! Love it...GREAT voice, also...XO from Boston, Susan...”
Susan Cabral - ReverbNation
“Showing support for a fellow RN artist by playing your absolutely superb music!”
Anchorage Alaska - ReverbNation
“Thanks for being a fan man. Really digging what you got flowing... Gritty-Bluesy-Rock-Original... Very nice. Jam on!
”
William Fuller's Laidback Manner - ReverbNation
“
Wow great guitar playing..really diggin your music”
Vlay - ReverbNation
“Angel in My Dreams! Nice guitar work and feel! Can hear the passion in your voice-reminiscent of Mark Knopfler some ♥ Aoede ♪♫”
Aoede - ReverbNation
“Great Music. Peace & Light, Sub Secret Boys!”
Sub Secret - ReverbNation
“
Way cool tuneage Ben!!! Lovin' it bro! A big thumbs up!
”
Tom Stiner - ReverbNation
“
Great sound..i love your Style:O)”
Marie Therese - ReverbNation
“Amazing sound and energy!!!
”
John Revitte - ReverbNation
“Very pleasant sound. Love your style and vocals, as well as the guitar work. wow!!”
Ruthus - ReverbNation
“Ben 'Angel In My Dreams' love it:)”
Dorothy Carroll - ReverbNation
“Kristine: Loving Angel in My Dreams right now, Ben! Amazing guitar work and lyrical imagery.
”
Kristine - ReverbNation
“Johnny Bonkers: Ben, your sure candidate for the guitar hall of fame,enjoyed listening to many of your absorbing tracks,have a wonder filled weekend, Peace, Love, Sound and Vision, Johnny
”
Johnny Bonkers - ReverbNation
“Angel in my Dreams is riveting! Great composition, great performance!”
Videoscore Music Compositions - Reverbnation
“Marie Satch: Its ROCKIN...Lovin the guitar..Great work, keep it flowin.. Blessings -Marie
”
Marie Satch - ReverbNation
“Love your talent ! ! ! Very wonderful...
love your music, your voice is hot....
Please keep up the great work - - - dR1 - - -
”
dR1 - ReverbNation
“tim dwyer: Wow! Seriously impressed. Looking forward to hearing more!
”
Tim Dwyer - ReverbNation
“Definitely loving your sound. Retro yet unique. And catchy, too! So happy to have visited your page. Keep on making your brand of music. The world needs talent like this!”
Nude On The Radio - Reverbnation
“GREAT STUFF, I'M REALLY LUVIN' YOUR SOUND...KEEP IT MOVIN'”
MeRLiN BeAtS!: - Reverbnation
“WOW BEN YOU ARE THE NEW DIRE STRAITS!!!.VERY IMPRESSED.GREAT SOUNDS HERE. RESPECTIVELY; ASH SWAN(SAPPHIREWOLF-ReverbNation”
Reverb Nation
"Love your high energy music ,sounds are so full of life. The production and guitar work is awsome in all of your songs . I like "Angel in My Dreams"!
Six String Woody from 41 Miles - Reverb Nation
“great chops, and yes, I can hear Mark Knopfler in your sound... I really like Angel in my Dreams!”
Dennis Dolloff----Artist - Reverb Nation
"Surfing the REVERB charts…and I just visited your site. I’m playing and really enjoying your music. "Angel in My Dreams " is a great song of yours and I became your fan.
Pat Branch---Bassist/Songwriter - Reverb Nation
“The vocals and guitar playing are both unbelievable on "The Fire Next Time"!”
Bill Bentley--A&R Director, Vanguard Records - -
"His guitar playing holds the key. It’s razor-sharp and full of a peculiar twists that not many others have been able to master."
Bill Bentley - Studio City Sun
“On the Alakazam record, I like the second half but Love the first half, it's awesome!”
Bill Bentley - Manager @ Neil Young
“Great sound man, great guitar. I hear Knopfler in there as well, but I think you have your own sound. Enjoyed it. All the best
---Wes Gear on Fuzz.com”
Wes Gear - Fuzz.com
“A lot of passion in your music. I think your voice and singing style has some definite similarities to Mark Knopfler - I'd also add Johnny Cash. And there are a few similarities to Santana's guitar sound.
These are all musicians who have altered the face of music in a positive way.
WGT”
Wayne Gerard Trotman - Fuzz.com
“Sorta like The Watchtower meeting the Sultans of Swing,
Thumbs up!”
Alix Azoff - Fuzz.com
“I got my Ben Miller CD "Strumming with the King" in the mail a few weeks ago from CDbaby.com. It is an amazing piece of work!! Cant stop listening to it. Do yourself a favor and buy your copy now!! Highly recommended!
Best,
Doug
”
Doug Seymour - Fuzz.com
“Even in a time that’s seen and heard just about everything, Strumming With The King still manages to catch afire. The mark of Mark Knopfler may be written in a deep groove on these songs, but Miller is and always will be his own man. His guitar has the relentless fire of so many greats”
Bill Bentley - Studio City Sun
“I mentioned to Bill Bentley and then to Ben that, to me, what might be described as his basic “Chicago Rock” with his instrumentation and take had a quality of “jump” which seemed to cause a double-take in both of them; but I thought later that, why not say it was so. “Ben Miller jumps"”
Capital Clinic - Fuzz.com
“Oh yeah. He's the real deal. Definitely hear the Knopfler influence, both in the voice and the guitar licks. He's got the Morrison "otherworldliness" thing going. Really like it.
---Harp-Dude on Fuzz.com
”
Harp Dude - Fuzz.com
“Everybody says it sounds like Dire Straits and The Doors. Do you want a Record Deal?
Great writing and instrumentation, and Magic Caravan took me back to the 60's and I was like Wow that is cool stuff.”
Bill Scull , CEO - EO Records
“Alakazam' is the 4th full length album released by Rock artist Ben Miller! 11 tracks with 2 instrumentals, 'Alakazam', is a very solid follow up to Ben's previous 3 release's 'Strumming With The King', 'Farther Than The Eye Can Stare' and 'Each and Everyday'. "It's a hard world to get a break in/all the good things have been taken." Those lines from the Animals' '60s hit "We Gotta Get Out of this Place" are even truer today for rock & rollers who try to grab a piece of the sunshine for their moment in the spotlight. Even when they're as talented as Ben Miller, it's still a constant struggle to find an audience for your music. Illinoisan Miller, like so many others like him, does it the only way he can: by making his own recordings and releasing them himself, and then doing everything he's able short of grand larceny to build an audience. Luckily for him, he's got the kind of talent that will someday take him to higher ground.”
Bill Bentley - Sonic Boomers
“His guitar playing holds the key. It's razor-sharp and full of a peculiar twists that not many others have been able to master. Mark Knopfler comes to mind, but Ben Miller is no copycat. He uses that style as a jumping off point, and then builds his own vocabulary of licks and lyricism to make an original stand. Vocally, it's the same way. There may be similarities to others, but on songs like "Angel in My Dreams" and "Elevation," there is a serious musician here, and you can feel all the passion that fuels a likely lonesome run for recognition. But, really, it's always been that way, and in the end the making of the music has to be the final reward, because it's the only one the artist has any control over. From the sound of Alakazam, this is a man who has no intention of going anywhere but straight ahead.”
Bill Bentley - Sonic Boomers
“I mentioned to BB and then to Ben that, to me, what might be described as his basic "Chicago Rock" [if such a description is really useful] with his instrumentation and take had a quality of "jump" which seemed to cause a double-take in both of them; but I thought later that, hey, why not say it was so. "Ben Miller jumps!" Ben Miller's stated sources of inspiration range from notable quitarists such as Mark Knopfler [you can note the fingerpicking] and path-breaking icons like Bob Dylan. And there are echoes of Elvis and, to me, Johnny Cash's whiskey and smoke in Ben voice as well - not a bad collection to lean on as one moves on to find one's own distinctive voice. An intriguing question that occurs to me now, and perhaps it is an unfair one is: Does Ben's powerful guitar, sometimes finger-picking, sometime raging, go with his voice or does his voice and lyrics stretching for yet some more, go with his guitar? Maybe it doesn't matter since it all comes together and jumps.”
Capitol Clinic - Fuzz
“Talk about fighting the good fight. Musician Ben Miller took ten of his best original songs into the studio, playing all the lead, rhythm and bass guitars himself, then added drum parts to the vocal tracks and sent them out into the world. Even in a time that's seen and heard just about everything, Strumming With The King still manages to catch afire. The mark of Mark Knopfler may be written in a deep groove on these songs, but Miller is and always will be his own man. His guitar has the relentless fire of so many greats, and while the young musician continues the search for his own sound, he's found a musical path that will take him there with talent to spare. One to watch. Ben Miller has the talent, and his new album is the strongest music he's made. Keep an eye on him.”
Bill Bentley - Sonic Boomers
“The whole album "Farther Than The Eye Can Stare " is really good! There's a definite influence of Mark Knopfler. I am sending it to the Warner Bros UK Division to evaluate for a record deal.”
Bill Bentley, Senior VP, Warner Bros Music - -