Page 36 - Black Velvet Issue 91

BV91 Black Stone Cherry_BV91 pg36 10/12/2016 01:42 Page 1

BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 36

born to rock
born to rock

t’s only been a few Black Velvet issues since we last interviewed Black Stone
ICherry about their album ‘Kentucky’, but we always have more questions for
them! With a song on ‘Kentucky’ entitled ‘Born To Die’, we sat down with guitarist
Ben Wells and asked him all things related to birth, death and everything in between.

Black Velvet: How was the song ‘Born To Die’ BV: Was there a specific moment when you into it, I like going to church and stuff. I can’t
actually born? felt reborn? say that for the other guys, because church
Ben Wells: The original idea, I think Chris had BW: Yeah, I am a very spiritual person, but I isn’t for everybody, however at the end of the
it. It was kinda like a retrospective song. We don't view religion as a bunch of rules. I do day, we know there is something bigger than
always try to write songs the people can re- love Jesus and I think I’m constantly reborn us out there.
late to in some way, shape or form. It’s one of more and more as I learn in that way. I’m just
those more deep songs I guess. It’s a story constantly learning and finding new things BV: How much religion is born into your
and a retrospective on your life, when you I’m being influenced by. I’d like to say that it’s music?
think you know it all and you should take a an ongoing progression, you know. I don’t re- BW: It does definitely influence our music, it
step back from it, listen to advice and listen member an exact turning point, it’s always steps in the way that we always try to write
to people around you, your family and been a part of my life. I think more so in the positive music. We have rules that we all like
friends. That’s basically where it was born, last few years I’ve been more aware of it and to follow in life, we love one another and keep
it’s come from that area and everybody can taken it more personally and more to heart. positive. Although we have some dark songs,
relate to that at some point in time. there is a point in those songs that we can
BV: Do you think religion was a belief born turn that around, even in a really dark, de-
BV: What’s your earliest ever memory since for everybody? pressing song because I think there’s
you were born, as a small child? BW: No, actually, and I don’t ever try to force enough of that out there already. I think
BW: Earliest memory… I remember a lot of it down anybody’s throats. It’s up to anybody. there’s an underlying theme in there that we
stuff growing up, like when I was little. I re- I might try to influence somebody if they ask always try to spread positivity.
member a lot of stuff around Christmas time. my advice or opinion, but I’m not one to
My family is very traditional, like family vaca- judge anybody else on what they believe or BV: Do you think you were born to be a mu-
tions stick out in my mind. I don't know my how they do it. sician? Or maybe something else?
exact first memory, but definitely a lot of awe- BW: Yes, I think so. I believe it was a gift for
some recollections from when I was growing BV: Were the other members born with the sure and I’m very blessed for that. I try to
up, school, playing guitar. I have a really same belief? Do you see eye-to-eye in be- enjoy it as much as I can.
great family, I have to kind of brag about that, liefs?
I’m very lucky in that way. BW: I think we all believe there’s a big man BV: If you could have been born in another
upstairs somewhere. I’m probably the most historical era, or decade, which would you

BLACK STONE CHERRY