Photo by Joey Wharton

Ben Butterworth of Richmond, Virginia has been writing and performing his own original music for more than a decade. From bluegrass to psychedelic country, from merch guy to front man, from Montana to Miami. Over the years, Ben has been in several bands and projects; ranging from bluegrass with The Inflatables, to psychedelic country in Captain Grandpa, and most recently with Ben & The Bajas. Ben has a knack for putting together great musicians, and regardless of the ensemble name, you can always bet on Ben’s band to be fantastic.

In November of 2021 Ben independently released his debut solo album - Purgatory Emporium. The album consists of ten original songs, steeped in Ben's southern musical traditions and flavored with a wide range of influence. Many of the tracks explore feelings of loss or feeling lost, being stuck between self-actualization and self-destruction, hanging out in a limbo…a flux. Somewhere between now and then, in a thrift store between Heaven and Hell. Welcome to the Purgatory Emporium.

In August of 2022, Ben was part of WNRN’s Dead Air 3, celebrating 25 years of independent radio and the music of the Grateful Dead, on stage at The National in Richmond, VA. Ben Butterworth has shared the stage with Illiterate Light, Hackensaw Boys, David Wax Museum, Palm Palm, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Keller Williams, Toubab Kewe, Larry Keel, Carolina Chocolate Drops, The California Honeydrops, and more, performing in bars, theaters, and bandstands across the country.

Keep your ears unzipped and stay tuned!

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“Talented musician and songwriter, and all around great guy…”

• Marilyn Drew Necci // RVA Magazine