Ms. Benton is a gifted performer of extreme talent and charisma. Her vocal range (from Leanne Rimes, Celine Dion to Sarah Brightman), allows for a large repertoire: Streisand, Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole and Gloria Gaynor. Ms. Benton excels in several venues as well: jazz, pop, country, Broadway musicals, R&B, and alternative music. Her duet abilities are highly praised by her singing companions and encompass: Reba Mcentire, Martina McBride, Donna Summer, and Sinatra duets. Ms. Bentons most recently praised attribute is her dynamic ability to add Italian operatic arias such as Andre Buccelli & Sarah Brightman pieces.
This songstress can hardly perform without the media following. Her performances have been covered from California to Ohio (opening for the Oak Ridge Boys, BJ Thomas, Sha Na Na, Mike Albert, The Mistics, Phil Dirt & the Dozers) with Rave reviews. Her stage appearance and her photogenic features make a wonderfully entertaining package, a delight to the eyes and ears.
--Maxi Harper-Harper Graphics, Burlingame, Ca.
Laura Benton
Opening for the Oak Ridge Boys
By KEN E. RICHARDSON
Studio 5
November 12th 1999, at 7:30 PM, the local talent of Laura Benton will open the show for The Oak Ridge Boys at the Secrest Auditorium in Zanesville, Ohio. This concert is a fund-raiser for the Protect-a-Cop Program, a community effort to equip law enforcement officers with body armor.
If you havent had the pleasure of hearing this elegant songstress, you owe it to yourself to give her a listen.
Her voice could not be more versatile. Laura will perform a wide range of material including The Prayer, (in tribute to the Protect-a-Cop Program), sung in both English and Italian, What Now My Love and New York New York, both Sinatra classics, and Time to Say Goodbye
(Mostly in Italian)
Laura will also sing solo on MacArthur Park, Tell Him, a Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion duet, where she will be amazingly singing both parts, and Why Havent I Heard From You (a Reba McIntire favorite).
I interviewed Laura Benton today for this article and discovered an individual with an insatiable thirst for success. In her words, Music is my life, my career. At the tender age of 5, she made her debut at home, singing along with Barbara Streisand records. Laura explained that her mother is Streisands greatest fan. To her mothers astonishment, Laura
Picked up style and form and soon began singing without the records. As she grew, Laura tried to learn to play an instrument. She tried to learn to play the sax, guitar and piano. She chose instead to use her instrument, her voice.
Living in San Francisco at the time, she sang as backup artist for a rap group. She moved to Ohio 2 years ago, to get away from the high cost of living and the high cost of studio time. One of her most outspoken fans and critics, her mother, had moved to Ohio 2 years before. Laura cites her family as ...a big inspiration and constant encouragement.
Laura realizes what it takes to make it in the music business. As she put it, Music is discipline and commitment. For her, its a full-time job. She is currently working on promotional material with a contact in California and has an open door with a major record label. For now, Laura says, Ive done more benefits than actual jobs, but I like sharing the gift I was blessed with by God.
Lauras repertoire consists of R & B, jazz, Broadway, recent opera, and country. Speaking of opera, one of the most beautiful songs I have heard in recent years was Laura singing Time to Say Good Bye. The piece is done in Italian
and demands a wide vocal range. I was so mesmerized with her singing of this piece in the studio that I was compelled to exclaim, Excellent, just seconds after she completed the recording. Fortunately, the sound engineer was able to edit that remark from the end of the track.
I asked Laura what advice she had for aspiring musicians and singers. She did not hesitate, saying, Dont ever lose sight of your dream. Never let anyone tell you that you cant, or youre not good enough. Do everything you need to do, but also nurture that dream, that instrument you have inside.
Laura Benton is a very special artist. What makes her so unique to me is her repertoire. It is not an easy program. The material she performs takes an incredible amount of preparation. One listen, and you will want to hear more. I plan to attend the Oak Ridge Boys Concert on November 12th. Im looking forward to the opening act. Laura Benton is a rising star in her own right. Individually, she defines dreams-come-true.
By Ken E. Richardson
Owner/Production Director
Studio 5 Zanesville, Ohio
By PATRICK JACKSON
Times Recorder
ZANESVILLE ----- Leaving the San Francisco music scene southeast Ohio is a big jump. But Laura Benton says the jump is a welcome change. People really listen to you out here, said Benton, who is performing at the Muskingham County Community Foundation from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. In San Francisco music seemed to be less serious to most, as being out here people seem to appreciate your talent. But the change in scenery required a change in music as well.
On the coast, Benton was a backup singer for Bay area rap groups and performed on a benefit album for abused children. With this benefit, Voices for Children" became a
Hit for the opening of the Giants game.
Getting into the groove here-required opening up a new repertoire. Ive learned a lot of different musical styles, she said. Ive been adding country and blues. While jazz standards and contemporary pop were stuff Benton knew and liked, country was an acquired taste. When I was out on the coast I told my family Id never ever sing country music. Never is a long long time, she said. When I got out here I realized that country was what most people really liked, and that opened me up to a whole new style of music. Benton has already developed a reputation in the community for having a beautiful voice and a tremendous variety of music. A lot of times
Youll go out and only hear one style of music being played by a band or being sung by a vocalist, but she can do it all from R&B, jazz, country, broadway, and even Italian operathats a great combination!
Laura Benton
Patrick Jackson is a reporter at the Times Recorder. His telephone number is
(740) 450-6768 and his email address is pjackson@cosmg.com
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