SINGER | SONGWRITER | INDEPENDENT RECORDING ARTIST

New EP Release: Almost Famous

Behind the Music

Ben Rounds is a local working musician, playing guitar for 55 years as a singer, songwriter, and performer. He is well-known by many in the Catskills and Hudson Valley as a solo act or in his three-piece country band, predominantly working across Eastern NY state. Ben moved back to the Southern Tier to retire and focus on his music. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing all instruments on his original song recordings. His latest four-song EP, the 2024 release “Almost Famous,” features him on acoustic guitar, lead guitar, fiddle, harmonica, lap steel tuned to C6 and open E tunings, dobro, percussion, in addition to performing lead and harmony vocals.

Ben is also known as the lead guitarist/vocalist in bands like The Famous Lees of Krumville, Thunder Ridge, and the Ben Rounds Band. He began learning guitar at age 15 and started writing songs shortly after. A storyteller, his songs are approachable and relatable, carrying the trademark Americana sound that blends country, rockabilly, and blues. He finds inspiration in the greats like Buck Owens and Hank Williams.

In 2014, Ben began his solo career with his self-titled album debut and released the second album, “On The Jukebox,” the following year. These albums showcased his warm and gritty sound and addictive melodies that set the stage for compelling lyrics. Both albums are available on Ben’s Bandcamp store.

Moving into the digital age, Ben continues to seek opportunities to tell the stories of his life and adventures through the sometimes fun and often thoughtful lyrics of the songs he writes. His latest release includes a song that lightheartedly addresses how tech has taken over our lives, entitled “Put That Phone Away,” which was ironically Ben’s first track available for digital distribution. Ben’s new EP “Almost Famous” can be found on all major streaming services, in addition to old school CDs.

Since COVID, Ben has hosted a Facebook Live Performance weekly on Fridays at 8 PM, entitled “The Show Must Go On.” The live streams continue fueling his belief that his time is best spent entertaining his blue-collar fans and friends scattered across the country. After the close of his eight-year weekly Open Mic, Ben now co-hosts a Zoom platform online Open Mic. Among his many contributions to the communities where he lives and performs is his dedication to donating his time and talent for good causes, including those to fight cancer, fund Alzheimer’s research, and many for friends and fans facing struggles. He was humbled to be inducted into the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame’s Hall of Honor last year. ben@benrounds.com

 “Ben Rounds’ self-titled solo album reveals country music odes to blue collar America, dogs, and groupies with killer guitar licks, harmonica, dancing tunes and sensitive spot-on love songs.” – Dina Kaliko

 “…a hybrid blend of traditional country, rockabilly, blues and folk, often drawing from the driving energy of Chuck Berry rock-n-roll and the intensity of Hank Williams country.” – Fred Perry

An Interview with Ben on Pawling Public Radio

Ben tells the story of how music became an integral part of his life, plays some original tunes, and discusses the inspiration behind his songwriting.