Clay Jones, one of Benson's local picking partners, was apparently the one who hipped him to the development of a playing style called newgrass and its leading proponents such as mandolinist Sam Bush. By the time he was in his late teens, Benson was part of a sizzling late-night jam session scene in Denton, NC. The newgrass influence was overwhelming in this scenario, players reaching for new heights of intensity à la jazz fusion and putting together repertoires that might have confused the style-shifting denizens of the New York City downtown sound. One band Benson became involved with out of the dent that was being made in Denton was Livewire in 1989. In 1993 the mandolinist joined IIIrd Tyme Out; it was not the final notes for Livewire, which re-formed for gigs in 1999. He is best known for his membership in the former band, however, IIIrd Tyme Out's remarkable success leading to honors such as awards and a Tucker mandolin model named after Benson. The mandolinist's talents also include songwriting and studio work. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi