Some of the best musicians in the world appeared at the 2024 Grammys. But did you know that we have world-class musicians right here in Hampton Roads? And they happen to be in the U.S. Army.
Benjamin “Bennie” Hall grew up in Hurt, Virginia, outside Lynchburg.
“So my mom bought me a piano when I was five years old,” said Hall. “I grew up in the church playing.”
Hall has stood out in the music world his entire life, even being asked to play with the band on the David Letterman show when he was just 19.
“I was in New York and somebody heard me at the music store and it was the guitar player on David Letterman Show. And he said, ‘Hey man, you want to sit in with us?’ I couldn’t believe it happened, yeah,” Hall laughed.
He went on to join the Marines and later became a Sgt. in the Army. But his love of music was always there.
Even while serving his country, he found time to sit in with some of the best musicians in the business, including three-time Grammy winner and Newport News native Bruce Hornsby.