The Ben Carter Band, better know as the “BCB" is composed of some of the best musicians in Florida. The group has been making music all around the country for over 4 years now. The BCB is a group dedicated to making great music. You can expect to hear a wide variety of music styles and genres, as all of the members come from different musical backgrounds. The group has shared the stage with members from some of the biggest names in Southern Rock, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot and The Kentucky Headhunters, Craig Wayne Boyd and John Anderson, just to name a few. The BCB prides itself on tight vocal harmonies, seldom heard in mainstream music. No matter the size of the crowd, the BCB can entertain. Having played to crowds of 5 or 5000, the BCB puts out an energy level that is infectious. A BCB concert is one you won’t want to miss.
Ben Carter is an accomplished musician born and raised in Florida. He has had a lifelong love for music. At age 5 he began piano lessons, which he continued until age 18. At age 18, he felt he was ready to branch out on his own, so he quit lessons and began teaching himself. Ben has studied classical, contemporary, jazz and blues piano. On stage, he plays a Korg TR 88 key workstation. With his extensive background in music theory, combined with his knowledge of music gained from his years of piano lessons plus three guitar chords taught to him by his oldest brother, at age 18 Ben taught himself to play the guitar. He studied many different music styles and genres, focusing his attention mostly on blues, country and rock and roll. Over the past few years, Ben has been building quite the collection of guitars. With almost 20 guitars to choose from, you will usually find him playing one of three guitars: “Valerie”, named after his mother, is a 2013 Martin HD28V. “Jolene”, named after one of his favorite songs is a 2004 Martin D16 Special Edition. Then there’s “Kathleen”, better known as “Miss Kitty” which is named after his grandmother. “Miss Kitty” is a 2014 Gibson J45. Ben was recently endorsed by Prestige Guitars and InTune Guitar Picks. Ben’s most powerful instrument, his voice, has been described as “silk sheets with a pillow made of sand paper”. “Imagine if Zac Brown and John Popper (Blues Traveler) had a baby... that’s Ben”. Some of his most memorable vocal accomplishments include a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City and singing the National Anthem at Tropicana Field to kick off a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game. His musical influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Stapleton, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Zac Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, and John Popper.
Matt Wilsey has been playing the drums for over 25 years. He has studied music and percussion at Landon School of the Arts as well as Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida. Matt's drumming background includes a vast array of musical genres. From Jazz to Reggae to Latin music, he has played it all. He studied drums under the teaching of Rick Kirkland who toured with Ray Charles. Some of his major influences for drummers are: Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix), Buddy Rich, Shannon Powell (Harry Connick Jr.), and Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band). He has performed at many venues including The Montreux Jazz Festival in Europe. And has also done studio work for several bands. Matt has been playing with The Ben Carter Band for the last 4 years and plays drums as well as sings backup vocals.
Preston Nazworth has been playing the guitar for 12 years, and is continuing to grow in his music. Preston has been the lead guitar player in the BCB for over 2 years now. His passions are southern rock and Blues music, but also loves to play contemporary Christian music in his church, which he has been part of for 6 years now. Preston strives to be a very diverse player, with influences that range for Stevie Ray Vaughn, James Burton, The Edge and Lincoln Brewster. He enjoys many types of music and is always looking to expand his playing abilities by crossing genres.
Dustin Boone is a self taught musician/singer who comes from a musical family. He has been playing since the age of seven. Dustin started off playing piano, which led him to playing bass guitar, guitar, and drums. He now primarily plays bass guitar. Dustin grew up, and is still, actively playing in church. He has performed with Christian artists such as Newsong (with 17 #1 singles & six Dove Award nominations), Dove Awardwinner Aaron Shust, Grammynominee Royal Taylor, and Love & The Outcome. Some of his musical influences include: Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Eagles, Lynyrd Synyrd, Mark King, and Victor Wooten (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones). Dustin has been with The Ben Carter Band since the end of 2014, playing bass guitar and singing backup vocals.