Mandolin cafe song project

Does anyone know who Benignus may be? The guy posted a few tracks on the cafe song project, I think he is really good!
Hes got a very crisp style.
Member name is mando_cafe_benignus.
Mandolin Cafe ID Benignus

[duuuude]

Benignus is the ultimate "mando man of mystery". Seriously, he's around somewhere, I'm sure he'll be answering your post when he sees it. And you're right, he is a very clean picker with a great sense of timing on them fiddle tunes, and a real nice guy to boot!

(OK Benig, will you release my family now?) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

Gosh! Thanks. I'm flattered, but I'm quite positive there are dozens upon dozens of pickers around this Cafe who could show me 'a thing or two' ... and I would welcome that, for sure!

I have been taken aback since this Mandolin Project began by the enthusiasm people have shown for my playing. I promise you I am just a regular guy, who likes to pick a mandolin. Indeed, I am only just approaching my two-year mandoversary of taking up this wonderful instrument. Being such a youngster makes it hard for me to think of myself as any good, ya' know? There are folks around here with a lifetime of playing under the belt! That's humbling.

But on the other hand, I have also been getting noticed in real life, as I play around town with my band. So, I guess on some level I have to accept that I might be better than my personal 'self-image'. Mind you, I do think of myself as awell rounded, experienced musican ... but certainly not anything special, or exceptional.

All *that* really means is, people must like my music. That certinaly makes me *very* happy, and I hope to keep sharing songs long into the future.

Ya' know ... I've had this nickname 'Benignus' for many, many years, and have played on numerous recordings as a keyboardist under that name. I've often wondered if someone, someday would post here asking, "Hey! Are you the same guy who ... ".

But at the end of the day ... I'm nobody. Maybe I used to be somebody ... sorta. But I'll tell ya' life - musical or otherwise - got *a lot* better when I stopped trying to "be somebody".

What does MandoJohnny say around here, "Real Musicians Have Day Jobs".

Thanks again Dem, I think you made my day.

- Michael "Benignus' Geimer

Pssst ... Duuuude, the check is in the mail. See ya' 'Berry!

[ira]

hey benig- you are truly da man now- real live fans!!!!!!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

Ira,
I still get an X-mas card every year from a fan of my old band! Now *that's* cool! (Thanks Britta!)

- Benig

[Michael Lewis]

Mr. Geimer, just keep pickin'. It makes the world a better place. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandopete]

Benig - I too have enjoyed your posts and I always find your commentary valuable. Carry on!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

Got a cd? If you havent, could you throw some tunes on one and mail me it? Honestly you got this sound that really makes it a real pleasure.

[mandocrucian]

Ya' know ... I've had this nickname 'Benignus' for many, many years, and have played on numerous recordings as a keyboardist under that name. I've often wondered if someone, someday would post here asking, "Hey! Are you the same guy who ... ".

So what variety of keyboards did you play or specialize in? Piano, organ, synth?

Styles?

If I was gonna put in any time on keys, I'd opt for an organ sound ala B-3. (my wife plays piano; I wish she had the organ chops.)

NH

[GVD]

Niles,

You don't need no stinking organ. As I recall you somehow made your mandolin sound a lot like a Hammond B-3 to me last December. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

GVD

[Michael H Geimer]

Well ... I used to play the sweetest Minimoog I've ever seen. Which was spot on for the Progressive Rock we were playing. When I first started out , I had this rig with four boards, and a set of Taurus pedals. LOL. Totally absurb in hindsight.

I knew some other players who would haul around their refrigerators ... Uhhh, I mean B-3s.

Eventually, I followed technology and just used samplers to get the sounds I wanted. But I have no patience for the endless hours of knob tweaking that it takes to run that sort of gear.

If I were to play keys again, I think I'd settle down with a virtual B-3, and a Rhodes, or just play cocktail piano ballads ala a young Tom Waits.

These days, I'm averse to having even a microhone in my face. It'd take a lot of coaxing to get me to 'plug back in'.

Niles,
I'm thinking I want to head out East for a Hokkanen workshop next year. Then maybe hit the AP trail for a few days, or trek down to the Carter Fold.

Thanks everyone for the wonderful 'validation'. I'm going to lurk for while, lest I get more embarrased.

Happy Friday!

- Benig

[mandolooter]

Benig inspired me to start learning more about music therory, timing and everything else with a comment he made as we were pickin together at the fall 2002 Strawberry festival. At first I'll admit I got a little ticked, but as time went on I realized that not only was he right, but his comment was only meant to help and wasn't a critisim as much as an honest critique. Thanks Mike for the inspiration and the honesty...it's helped my playing alot! Now if I could just figure a way to make it to Berry and hangout with you and Duuude in the mountians for a week of non-stop pickin!

[duuuude]

Yeah, just don't feed him JD then ask him to move the jam, twice. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandolooter]

I heard that:O

Hey Benignus,
You got an email address where I may be able to email you at? Wanna ask ya some advice on some mando stuff.

[mandolooter]

try your PM feature gdae_boy...just click on the first little square in the bottom left of his post's and go from there.

[MikeB]

Well, this is a pretty cool thread! #Mike, what did I say about your playing? #It blows me away, too. # I still appreciate your observation about "my pick hanging up." # I've worked to improve that ever since. #I #mean it sincerely when I say thank you.

So, I agree with everyone here: #We love your music and your input here at the Cafe! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[sailaway]

Hey Benignus, i am a member of your fan club too, after listening on the project tunes : and wonder what your name Benignus means, (? if it means anything at all, or if it means, like Alice in Wonder land, what ever you want it to mean?!?!


"... But how can a word mean so many things" , asked Alice :
Spoke the Red Queen : " a word means what I want it to mean, but when I want it to mean something else I always pay it extra.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Russ(String-Alley)]

yup, Benignus is a damn fine picker. Mike can pick better in 2 years than I have been able to with all 6 years of learnin' myself. Maybe its the keyboard knowlege thing or serious woodshedding but I suspect its just good ol'skillful talent. I aggree with him about playing out, thats what I really enjoy.
cheers man,
Russ

[duuuude]

Dang, guess the old days of pickin' with Benig for free may be over, huh? With this following he may be sellin' memberships or somethin' soon.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Actually, I must admit I go away from each 'Berry with some new info passed from Benig during one jam or another. Just hope his hat still fits with all these compliments, LOL. But givin' credit where it's due, the guy does know his stuff, and is a mighty fine jammin' buddy.

[Michael H Geimer]

Now Duuuude ... I just get done telling you on email about how embarrsing I find all this attention ... and you go and *bump* the thread up to the top. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I'm going back to 'lurking'. (See ya' at 'Berry)

Russ ... I gotta add, that I really wanted to look you up when I was in NYC, but I got wrapped up in it all. I'm sure you know how that can happen.

[Emmiemando]

Wow! YOu've only been playing 2 years. I am seriously impressed!!!!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif