Miles Benson Music

Miles Benson is influenced by/sounds like:

Dave Matthews: 

The members of Concrete Miles played together as kids and now, as teenagers, they are still playing together. Only now, instead of little league and bike riding, they are playing music. Although their playlist is full of songs that are older than they are, for five young men from Forsyth, it is all about playing good music. 

Concrete Miles is made up of Mary Persons High School students Cohen Anderson, Miles Benson, Cale Gilstrap, Jake Smith, and JR Benson. 

Specializing in classic rock, with a little blues mixed in, the band had a humble beginning a couple of years ago as Cale and Cohen started getting together and playing the guitar and drums. Soon, Miles joined in their jam sessions. Jake decided to take up the bass about a year ago and the foursome finally decided that they had become a real band.

"The hardest part was coming up with a name," said Cale. Concrete Miles is a play on guitarist Miles' name.

"It just sorta stuck," said Jake.

Miles' brother, Jr, started going to practices with Miles just to listen to them play. He enjoyed it so much he wanted to be a part of the band.

"One day he showed up with a pair of spoons and joined in," said Jake. "We laughed at first, but it really was pretty cool. Once we heard it with Jr's spoons added in, we said, 'Hey, now that's something that most other bands don't have' and Jr became a part of us."

Concrete Miles has been cranking out music together as a band for almost a year now. 

Their very first performance was just a few months ago on June 5, when the boys played at a going away party for Cale's brother, Keith Gilstrap, a marine who was leaving for Iraq. "Apparently someone liked us and we were asked to play at a housewarming party a few weeks later," said Jake.

Since then, the band has played at several private parties, but is getting ready to play their first public gig. Concrete Miles will perform at Two Dogs Tavern in Forsyth during the after-party following the third annual Toy Run this Saturday, November 6 beginning at 4 p.m.

"We were so excited," said Miles. "We weren't sure how much to charge or how long to play, we just knew we wanted to do it."

The guys may be young and inexperienced, but once they take the stage and start playing, all is forgiven.

"Our best song is Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Freebird,'' said Jake. "We love playing that one."

"We've also added 'Sweet Home Alabama' to our playlist," said Cale. "We have come to find out it's a crowd favorite."

Concrete Miles plays several Skynyrd songs, along with many other rock standards from other 70s classic bands. 

"We weren't that comfortable on stage at first," said Jake. "But, once we got to playing, all the nervousness went away. We just relaxed and enjoyed playing."

For these boys, the music is addictive.

"Every time we play, we get better," said Cale. "We just want to keep getting better."

The group says that they all enjoy playing classic rock over the popular music of today. They enjoy the harmonies and the chords of the old songs. Concrete Miles likes having a reputation for playing something different than all the other teen bands around.

"It's mostly the older folks who appreciate us," said Jake. "The kids our age don't really get it."

The band has even started writing some original music. "It's a collaborative effort," said Jake. "Maybe Cohen will come up with a really cool lick he put together on the guitar and then we'll start adding to it and before we know it, we've written a song."

For these guys high school graduation will soon lead them in separate directions. Cale plans on joining the Marines in 2006 once he graduates.

"Until then, I just enjoy getting together and playing good music," said Cale. "We're not in it for the money, but if we can get paid a little, hey, that's ok."

"For me, it's all about the feeling I get," said Jake. "We believe that playing good music is the ultimate antidepressant. We're just good old country boys who are having a good time playing. If we do succeed, that's ok, too."

You can check out the sounds of Concrete Miles at the C.A.R.E. Cottage Toy Run after party behind Two Dogs Tavern on Saturday afternoon beginning at 4 pm. Everyone needs to bring a new toy or a $10 donation to help the kids of Monroe County have a good Christmas. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and sit back and relax and enjoy some good old rock-n-roll.  

(The Monroe County Reporter, November 3, 2004) 

Bring cans, hear music

...Miles Benson, a freshman from Forsyth, will be performing a solo act consisting of vocals and guitar. He said he sees the concert as a chance to improve as a musician.

"I'm a first year student, and a music major, and it just seemed like a good opportunity to perform," Benson said.

Benson also said he feels the concert atmosphere makes attending better for performers and audiences.

"A lot of the concerts are generally free, and only a few times when you bring someone do you have to pay," Benson said. "Most people, when they see that money is required, it turns [them] off. But if it's something like food that most people can donate, then more people are likely to show up."

Benson said he hoped many people would attend because it is a great cause to contribute to and a great opportunity for performers.

"I know a lot of performers are looking to get their names out there," Benson said.... 

(The Red & Black, February 17, 2009) 

As Relay for Life approaches, teams are steadily trying to raise money for cancer research. For a group of Mary Persons students, simply asking for donations was not an option. Instead, they have teamed up with local musicians, cooks, and a humbled venue for help.

On April 11 the air in Juliette will be filled with music from local blues/rock band 42 and the smell of amazing BBQ from the championship winning Smarr Cooking Crew. The event will be held at the Juliette Opry House. Located right down the street from the famous Whistle Stop Cafe, the Juliette Opry House is a small music venue that often hosts open jam sessions and bluegrass groups.

Everyone's invited to head out to the Juliette Opry House at 5:30 pm for a jam session that is open to the public, buy an award-winning BBQ plate from the national winning cooking crew and make a donation to Relay for Life.

At 7 pm local band 42 will provide a two hour concert that is guaranteed to entertain. For more information on 42, visit www.milesbensonmusic.com.

For info on the Juliette Opry House go to www.myspace.com/julietteopry.

(The Monroe County Reporter, April, 2009)