Ben Henderson, one of San Jose’s most beloved singer-songwriters, is departing on an unexpected month long nationwide tour in June with New Jersey indie-folk band, River City Extension. The most unexpected part of it is that Henderson will be playing in River City Extension, filling in for their bass/banjo player, though he will get to open most of the shows with a solo set of his own music.
This was completely out of left field for Henderson, mostly because he only met the band one time. It was Billy O’Brien from Save Alternative that set this up. Originally from Jersey, O’Brien also manages River City Extension. When their bass/banjo player suddenly informed them that he couldn’t go on the road this summer, they weren’t sure what to do. O’Brien suggested Henderson. What really sold the band was seeing clips of his mastery of multiple instruments in his free-form funk outfit, Good Hustle. O’Brien told the band, “You guys need a bass player and Ben needs to go out on the road and promote his music.” It was perfect.
Henderson is playing his farewell show this Saturday at the San Pedro Square (a show that O’Brien just so happens to be putting on). He leaves for New Jersey this Tuesday so he can spend a month rehearsing with River City Extension (and maybe get to know them) before hitting the road.
River City Extension plays the Blank Club on June 17th. Ben Henderson plays solo at San Pedro Square on April 28th.
Ben Henderson – Summer Beast (live, in a living room)
River City Extension – Nautical Sabbatical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqbbMOJP8Dg
.Ben Henderson hits the road with River City Extension
