Location
Des Moines, Iowa
Label
Mind's Ear Music
Standing Hampton On the Web
Standing Hampton's Bio
Capturing the sound and magic of the glory days of classic rock, Standing Hampton performs the best musical nuggets of the 70’s, 80’s and beyond. Five seasoned performers with over 80 collective years of performing experience (they’re not that old, they just started young!) deliver a musically and visually compelling show. The Des Moines based quintet features four part harmonies with all members sharing lead vocal chores. Combining superior musical and performance skills, a modern light show, and a pro sound system, Standing Hampton delivers the energy and spectacle of rock at its best. What about the name? (more later)
Oddly enough, the group had its beginnings in the Des Moines area in the disguise of various country bands with former rockers as members. Longing to perform the songs he grew up listening to, drummer and vocalist Tony Benson enlisted the vocal and keyboard talents of his wife, Nancy Benson (herself a seasoned member of the Iowa music scene), to bring together a group that featured songs from their youth. Guitar phenomenon Devon Miller was brought aboard to provide vocal diversity and stage histrionics (that would be showmanship). Adding further to the stage antics, Midwest rock veteran keyboardist Douglas Dixon doubles on guitar and vocal moves, and Elwood Bland rounds out the group with his superlative bass skills. They were immediately overwhelmed by the demand for their brand of classic rock and the positive response of their audiences, a trend that continues as they knock out crowds across the heartland. But…what about the name? (more later)
The dynamic Benson duo, husband and wife Tony and Nancy originally cut their teeth on the music scene of southeastern Iowa, performing in a variety of rock bands in high school and college during the 70’s and 80’s, later entertaining on the road across the country. Tony began playing at age ten and has been drumming for over 25 years. He propels Standing Hampton with his articulate and dynamic grooves, all the while belting out classic rock melodies and harmony. In the tradition of the great female artists of the rock era, Nancy Benson has the talent, range and soul to bring classic rock to life. Like milestone artists Heart, Pat Benatar, and male rockers from Journey and Kansas, Nancy captures the spirit of their energy with her accomplished vocal delivery and stage appeal. When not taking the center spotlight, Nancy adds keyboard textures to the Standing Hampton sound.
Bassist Dave Cornellison, the newest member of the group, lays down the driving foundation for Standing Hampton. Dave is a long time fixture of the Des Moines music scene and was a member of the very popular "Yukon Cornelius". Strongly influenced by groups with outstanding bass players, such as Rush and Yes, Dave handles the groove with ease and yet has the chops to nail SH's more progressive digressions including songs by Kansas, Styx and Boston.
Devon Miller grew up listening to bluegrass and country music, styles that would enable him to expand his amazing technical abilities on the guitar. After a friend introduced him to the music of Van Halen there was no looking back, and soon after the rock transformation began. Devon totally amplifies the Standing Hampton presentation with his vocals, artistry and showmanship. With this crew of rockers, Devon believes that his dream of playing in a group with the stage energy of Kiss and Garth Brooks, the vocal harmonies of the Eagles, and the musical aptitude of Van Halen, is finally here.
On keyboards, guitar, and vocals, Douglas Dixon brings to the party his unique synthesizer talents and electric six string strangling, helping to add the classic ingredient to their classic rock sound. Formerly a Curb recording artist in the 80’s with pop-rocksters AirKraft, this road warrior frequently performed over 300 gigs a year! He also acts as producer, engineer & songwriter at his recording studio, Mind’s Ear Music in southeast Iowa.
Oh yes … about the name ……Standing Hampton? Thought you’d never ask. Let’s just say it’s the title of a classic rock album by Sammy Hagar, and British slang for something else.
Band Members
Nancy Bensonn, Tony Benson, Devon Miller, Jon Douglas Dixon, Dave Cornelison
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