A unique blend of story and song.
A folksinger in every sense of the word.

Ben Traverse playing at Stormcloud Brewing Co.

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Hi-Res Photos, Stage Plots, Bio, Etc.

Ben Traverse is a traditional folk singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and member of the Earthwork Music Collective with deep roots in Michigan.

Traverse has spent the better part of a decade cutting their teeth with many prominent forces in Michigan’s folk scene. They found their passion steeping in the rich history of traditional folk music. Drawing inspiration from Pete Seeger, Alan Lomax, and countless others, Traverse brings a unique, youthful enthusiasm to a rich and storied musical tradition.

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

Notable Venues:

The Acorn, Three Oaks The Alluvion, Traverse City*
The Ark, Ann Arbor* The Clover Room, Kalamazoo (35 tix, $18)
Goshen Brewing Co., Goshen, IN LACA, Ludington (80 tix, $15/$20)
Midtown, Grand Rapids (20 tix, $20) Ramsdell Theatre, Manistee (80 tix, $15)
Robin Theatre, Lansing (60 tix, $21) White Horse, Black Mountain, NC
20 Front Street, Lake Orion *w/ the Earthwork Collective

I also love to play museums, libraries, schools, farmers markets, and other community spaces!

Notable Festivals:

Earthwork Harvest Gathering Emerald Isle Irish Feile
HollerFest Hoxeyville Music Festival (w/ Seth Bernard)
Michigan Renaissance Festival Smiling Acres Music Festival
Sparta Celtic Festival Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival

Museums:

Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven The Old Kirke Museum, Manistee
Port Huron Lightship Museum

Some 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 Band:

The Ben Traverse Band is a rotating cast of friends, partners, and peers. These are some of the folks that have accompanied me:

Activism:

Accolades:

  • 2024 Folk Alliance Regional Midwest Official Showcase Artist Alternate
  • 2019 2nd best musical act in Manistee County – News Advocate Readers’ Choice Awards

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
  • “This is a well-researched, well-sung collection, from someone who is passionate about ‘preserving musical traditions from years gone by’, and it does exactly what it says on the tin.” –The Living Tradition, Scotland (Old Time American Music album review)
  • “‘Danny Boy’ and ‘The Parting Glass’ are likely some of the most familiar tracks for listeners and, despite not having written the lyrics, 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)

Discography: