Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelbi Bennett.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started singing in church and school as a kid. I sang in church band, singing harmonies and sometimes lead.
I did quite a bit of choral stuff in elementary and middle school and did any musical or play I could.
I went on a few 6 week show choir tours with an organization called “Young Continentals” when I was 13 and 14. Those tours made me realize how much I loved the actual work of music. I thrived in the tour environment.
I had singing lessons here and there over the years. I was just always trying to sing whenever and wherever they would let me.
I was pretty active in the church music world till I graduated high school in 2008
Once I graduated, I started going to Grossmont Community college and dabbling in the music department there.
I was in my second year of the music department when I met Alfred Howard and we started The Midnight Pine together. I was 20 when we met.
I was in the jazz department of grossmont and had plans to book a gig sing on a cruise ship. I had made an audition video with some guys I had met at a local jazz jam in little Italy. By the time we heard back from a cruise line, the Midnight Pine had quite a bit of momentum so I decided to stay here in San Diego to pursue that bands possibility.
Our first show was at Lestats West and the second show (my first bar show) was at the casbah. I was freshly 21.
The Midnight Pine grew and was a band for 8 years. While that was still happening I had a few different projects like Creature and the Woods, Take me to your Mother (which was just a recording project) Baby Bushka, and I started The Havnauts with some fellow School of Rock employees in 2017.
I left Baby Bushka in January of 2021
The midnight pine’s final show was in Jan of 2020 and the Havnauts final show was in September of 2024
I’ve been teaching as a vocal coach all throughout this time (starting in 2013-present) at either the School of Rock or independently all over the county.
I’ve done lots of commercial studio work and sang back ground vocals on many different songs and albums over the last 14 years. It’s been a blast.
For the last few years I’ve been writing, building up a bank of songs and looking to record them soon
I also just wrote and recorded 13 new songs with Al Howard for a new project that I’m very excited about.
I think that’s everything in a nutshell!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I met the right people early in my professional career and they have shaped my trajectory and given me certain opportunities and experiences that I’m very grateful for.
It hasn’t all been easy but I feel like I’ve been fortunate over all.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a singer and songwriter first. From a young age I have been fortunate to have music and singing as a constant companion. Songwriting is really a gift to help process your emotions and your thoughts. There have even been times where songs will preemptively come to me before I need them. Like writing a song about a break up before it happens, only to realize months later what the song was really about.
I am proud of all of my work. From The Midnight Pine to the Havnauts and everything in between.
I would say what sets me apart is my harmonizing capabilities.
From singing in the church world so long, I have developed an ear for harmonies. Singing background vocals almost brings me more joy than singing lead. I enjoy it all, but I love being able to add to something to make it more dimensional or dynamic.
I also love to teach others. I am very proud of all the students I’ve taught over the years. They all have a special place in my heart
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck has its roll but for me personally the word I think applies more is “kismet” (destiny etc)
It feels like pure destiny when I think of all the people I’ve been fortunate enough to create with.
I don’t like that being “lucky” might take away from the fact that some people are just working hard and hard work hopefully gets recognized by other like minded people on the same level of skill and experience.
Upon reflection, I feel like the timing and happenstance of meeting certain people at crucial times of my life has been a true blessing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Buffalobisonbuffalo
Image Credits
Photo by Lexi Pulido at Tenam Studios
