A unique blend of story and song.
A folksinger in every sense of the word.
Ben Traverse is among Michigan’s foremost traditional balladeers
Folksinger, educator, songwriter, and Earthwork Music Collective member Ben Traverse commands a wide array of instruments in their mission to bring the finest traditional folk music into the 21st century. Drawing from the rich history of American folk, Celtic, maritime, and Appalachian traditions, they travel the mystical Midwest and beyond telling stories and truths as old as the hills.
With a 300+ song repertoire played solo on both guitar and clawhammer banjo or with a band, and a slew of workshop options to boot, Traverse can mold their set for just about any occasion:
| Irish & Celtic Music | Sea Shanty Singalong | Children’s Music |
| Educational Workshops | Fundraisers for Non Profits | Bluegrass / Folk Song Jam |
Old Time Ballads, full band
Original Music, full band
Celtic Muisc, full band
Solo w/ guitar
Sea Shanties, duo w/ choir
Solo w/ banjo
Notable Venues:
| The Acorn | The Alluvion* |
| The Ark* | The Clover Room |
| Goshen Brewing Co. | LACA |
| Midtown | Ramsdell Theatre |
| Robin Theatre | White Horse (North Carolina) |
| 20 Front Street | *w/ Earthwork Music |
Notable Festivals:
| Harvest Gathering | Emerald Isle Irish Feile |
| HollerFest | Hoxeyville (w/ Seth Bernard) |
| Michigan Ren Fest | Smiling Acres |
| Sparta Celtic Fest | Spirit of the Woods |
Museums & Libraries:
| Ann Arbor District Library | Berkley Public Library |
| Florence Co. Library (Wisconsin) | Michigan Maritime Museum |
| The Old Kirke Museum | Port Huron Lightship Museum |
Artists I’ve Shared the Stage With:
| The Accidentals | The Crane Wives | Dave Bruzza (of Greensky Bluegrass) |
| Good Morning Bedlam | Joshua Davis | Mark Lavengood |
| May Erlewine | The Ragbirds | Seth Bernard |
| The Wildwoods |
The Little River Stringband:
The LRSB is a rotating cast of friends, partners, and peers. These are some of the folks that have accompanied me:
- Josh Holcomb, fiddle (West MI Symphony)
- Vince Russo, washboard (Appleseed Collective, Desmond Jones, Fay Burns, Pontiac Trail Blazers)
- Michael Dause, guitar & drums (Moss Manor, Treeskin, Shantyland)
- Keala Venema, fiddle (Whorled, Pocket Watch)
- Elijah Russ, upright
- Kyle Pitcher, upright (The Founding)
- Carsten Forester, mandolin, guitar, upright (Grand Industrial String Band)
Testimonials:
- “Ben is the modern-day Pete Seeger. He’s a musical archeologist who writes songs that sound like they’re from a hundred years ago.” –The Accidentals
- “As a musician, Traverse is rooted in the past, forward-thinking, and fully present. His foundation is solid and he cares deeply about music and people.” –Seth Bernard
- “Ben’s passion for music is unmistakable. From the onset of the first note, Traverse creates magic! The future is bright with this one.” –Mark Lavengood
- “A well-researched, well-sung collection.” –The Living Tradition, Scotland (Old Time American Music review)
- “Despite not having written [‘Danny Boy’ and ‘The Parting Glass’], Traverse and Veine deliver them with so much emotion that one might imagine they did in another life.” –Local Spins (Me Grief and Tears to Smother review)
Activism:
- 2022 Volunteered for The Pines of Arcadia’s “Together for Ukraine” concert for Razom for Ukraine
- 2022 World Water Day Shantyland fundraising mini-tour for The Clean Water Campaign for Michigan
- 2018 Rock the Vote concert at Grand Rapids Community College w/ the Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Accolades:
- 2024 Folk Alliance Regional Midwest Official Showcase Artist Alternate
- 2019 2nd best musical act in Manistee County – News Advocate Readers’ Choice Awards
Discography:
- 2023 – Me Grief and Tears to Smother w/ Nick Veine
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#5 on WYCE’s Local Spins of the Month (December ’23)
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- 2022 – In the Moment EP
- 2022 – Old Time American Music
- 2021 – Songs of the Lakes, Rivers, and Seas w/ Michael Dause (Treeskin, Moss Manor)