The Ben Rice Band mixes the soulful heartfelt sounds of blues and the passion and energy of contemporary music. The band combines the innovation of Robben Ford with the soul and virtuosity of Ray Charles.

The Ben Rice Band won the 2006 Journey to Memphis Band Competition in Portland to represent The Cascade Blues Association in Memphis in 2007. They were semifinalist at the 2007 International Blues Challenge and were runner up in the first ever King of Beale Street competition. The band was dubbed The West Coast Kings of Beale Street.

The band has 10 Muddy Water Awards nominations by the Cascade Blues Association between 2004 and 2008. Ben Rice for best male vocalist and electric guitar. Mac Potts in 2007 for keyboards at 17 years old.

Ben Rice started playing on stage at 9 with his brothers metal band. By 11 he had played most of the rock clubs in Seattle and Portland and 2 NXNW with Minor Effects. In middle school he put together Ben Rice and the Youth of Blues with friends from Jazz class. He recorded his first cd of all original material and started playing festivals and entering band contest at 14 opening for many national acts including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Dave Mason. His band has played many Blues festivals and The Portland Waterfront Blues Festival 5 years in a row. They have 4 cds out and their newest sold out at The Waterfront Blues festival in 30 minutes in 2009. The band has backed up many artist including Kenny Neal and Northwest Teen Idol competition where they played everything from Whitney Houston to Bon Jovi.

He is in his senior year at University of Oregon majoring in Jazz performance.

Alex Ankeny on drums and Alex McEntee on bass keep the rhythm and time in the band. With so many jazz, blues, and rock rhythmic changes they have becomes the most versatile players in the northwest. Joining the Ben Rice Band this year is Samantha Peoples on vocals. She was the Portland Teen Idol winner in 2006.

For more information, visit www.benricelive.com