Benny Turner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benny Turner
Background information
Born	(1939-10-27) October 27, 1939 (age 85) Gilmer, Texas, United States
Genres	Blues
Occupation(s)	Musician
Labels	One-derful, Nola Blue, Inc.
Associated acts	Freddie King, Dee Clark, Mighty Joe Young, Marva Wright

Benny Turner (born October 27, 1939) is an American blues musician. He is the younger brother of the famous blues guitarist Freddie King. Benny was the bass guitarist for the Freddie King Band.

Later, Turner played bass for Mighty Joe Young. He then became the bandleader for Marva Wright for 20 years. After many years of playing with other artists, Benny Turner started his own solo music career.

Early Life

Benny Turner was born in Gilmer, Texas, on October 27, 1939. He and his older brother, Freddie King, learned to play guitar. Their mother, Ella Mae, and her brothers taught them. In the 1950s, Benny moved to Chicago with his family.

Music Career

Benny Turner began his music journey playing guitar for The Kindly Shepherds. This was a gospel group. He played guitar and sang background vocals on their recordings. At the same time, Benny also played with his brother Freddie King. They performed at clubs in Chicago.

At these clubs, Benny met Dee Clark. Dee Clark invited Benny to join his R&B band on tour. Later, Benny played bass guitar for The Soul Stirrers. He eventually rejoined his brother's band. They toured often, playing with famous musicians like Eric Clapton.

At the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973, Benny played bass. He recorded with Memphis Slim on a song called "Very Much Alive and in Montreux."

After Freddie King passed away in 1976, Benny felt very sad. He took a break from music for two years. Then, he was convinced to start performing again. He joined Mighty Joe Young's band. He played with them for eight years. During this time, Benny and Mighty Joe Young appeared in the 1981 movie Thief. They were shown playing live in a Chicago club.

Later, Benny moved to New Orleans. In 1986, he became the bandleader for Marva Wright. He played with her band for 20 years.

After Marva Wright passed away in 2010, Benny released his own albums. His 2014 album, Journey, got great reviews. It featured his own original songs. He also reunited with other members of the original Freddie King band. They went on a short tour to celebrate Freddie King's 80th birthday.

His 2016 album, When She's Gone, was a tribute to his mother. It included six reissued songs and four blues classics. In 2017, Benny released his autobiography, Survivor: The Benny Turner Story. Also in 2017, he released My Brother's Blues. This album won awards. It honored his brother Freddie King. It featured 11 songs from Freddie's music that were special to Benny.

In 2019, Benny worked with his friend Cash McCall. They recorded Going Back Home. This album remembered their days playing music in Chicago. On October 27, 2019, Benny celebrated his 80th birthday. This was at a festival in Grapeland, Texas. The Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, recognized Benny's birthday. He also honored Benny's many contributions to music.

Awards and Honors

Benny Turner has received many awards and honors for his music.

• 2014 Offbeat Best of the Beat Awards - Nominee for Best Blues Album (Journey)
• 2015 International Songwriting Competition - Finalist for Blues Song (Breakin' News)
• 2016 Blues Blast Music Awards - Nominee for Soul Blues Album (When She's Gone)
• 2016 Independent Blues Awards - Nominee for Best Traditional Blues CD (When She's Gone)
• 15th Independent Music Awards - Winner for Blues Song (I Can't Leave)
• 16th Independent Music Awards - Nominee for Tribute CD (My Brother's Blues)
• 17th Independent Music Awards - Nominee for Blues Album (Going Back Home)
• 2018 Global Music Awards - Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement (My Brother's Blues)
• In 2017, he received the "Little Milton Lifetime Bluesman Award."
• He was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.
• October 27, 2017, was named "Benny Turner Day" in Gilmer, Texas.
• He was nominated for the 39th Blues Music Awards.
• 2018 Blues Blast Music Awards - Nominee for Male Blues Artist of the Year.
• 2018 Independent Blues Awards - Winner for Best Traditional Blues Band.
• 2018 International Songwriting Competition - Finalist for Blues Song (What's Wrong With The World Today).
• 25th Living Blues Awards, Critics' Poll - Winner for Most Outstanding Musician (Bass).
• 26th Living Blues Awards, Critics' Poll - Winner for Most Outstanding Musician (Bass).
• 2019 Blues Blast Music Awards - Nominee for Traditional Blues Album (Going Back Home).
• 2019 Independent Blues Awards - Nominee for Best Traditional Blues CD (Going Back Home).

Discography

Images for kids

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  Benny and Dee Clark on stage at the Apollo Theater

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  Benny Turner in 1975