personal/professional history

On September 26, 2000 at San Francisco’s legendary Bimbo’s 365 Club, a sold-out crowd welcomed Ben Peeler’s debut as a touring member of The Wallflowers.  During the following year, Ben lent his strings prowess to The Wallflowers as they toured the United States, Canada, and Japan.  Rounding out the band’s sound with lap steel, guitar, and background vocals, Ben brings a dynamic energy to The Wallflowers live line-up. 

Born Dudley Benjamin Peeler in Mississippi, Ben’s musical and life journey is rich with diversity. Citing such influences as David Lindley, Garth Hudson and Woody Allen, Ben might be best described as a trailblazer.

In the late 1980’s Ben helped found The Mavericks, a highly regarded country band out of Miami. The Mavericks charisma and talent helped the band garner a sizable following – a noteworthy feat as country music was atypical in latin and dance-music mecca Miami Beach.  As Peeler aptly described, “You go to Kansas City or Los Angeles and tell someone you're from Miami, and they'll expect to hear congas.” (Miami New Times 3/28/96) 

While with The Mavericks, Ben hooked up with The Volunteers, “South Florida’s only original Celtic Band.”  Ben contributed his electric guitar, mandolin, and lap steel talents as a member of The Volunteers, both in live performances and on their 1999 release that he co-produced.  When time and geography permit Ben still returns to his Volunteers roots.

Described as “fleet-fingered” by Real Blue Magazine, Ben has received attention for his recordings with Grady Champion, a fellow Mississipian turned Floridian.  Ben’s string contributions blend masterfully with Champion’s harmonica-soaked blues on his 1998 and 1999 releases.

Ben lent his stellar guitar work (and in one case, even lent his name – “Dudley Peeler & The 18 Wheelers”) to several other Florida bands during the 1980’s and 1990’s.  Many in the area knew him as a fixture at Miami’s Cactus Cantina.  After exploring much uncharted ground in the south, Ben completed a short stint in Washington D.C., followed by a return to Florida, and eventually found himself in Los Angeles (circa 1999).  Peeler’s self-description quips, “Ben Peeler moved from the traffic infested swamps of Miami, to the traffic infested deserts of Los Angeles.”

As word of the highly skilled utility man spread throughout Southern California, Ben put his versatility to use in both the studio and on stage. Ben’s diverse resume expanded when he collaborated with Latin sensation and grammy award winner, Shakira, on the 2000 MTV Unplugged Album.  Additionally, Ben regularly plays with his band, Uncle Tom, supporting Shawn Amos in Los Angeles. Ben provided Lap Steel, Dobro, Mandolin, and guitar on Uncle Tom colleague Roger Len Smith’s 2001 solo release, My Best Friend.  (Ben’s association with Smith led him to Wallflower Rami Jaffee).  Ben is often found sitting in with a variety of his fellow Los Angeles musicians, whether in legendary “kibitz-style” jam sessions, on stage with Blues expert, Fran Bannish, or providing mandolin, lap steel, and guitar for friend and rootsy singer-songwriter, Phil Cody.

The name Ben Peeler is sure to become a staple on numerous future liner notes.  Ben most recently recorded with Northern Californian, Paula Brisker, for her 2001 release, Narrow Road.  He has already recorded with New Yorker, Andy If, for his tentatively titled Memories of Connecticut (produced by Rami Jaffee), with Rolling Stone Chief Photographer Mark Seliger’s band, Rusty Truck, and with Los Angeles’ Jukebox Junkies led by Marc Dauer.