Ben Stalets is not a songwriter; he’s a song. Realizing he couldn’t wash the Toledo off, Ben leaned into it. Inspired by the blue collar underdogs and anti-heroes the rust belt surrounds you with. Talking to Ben is talking to an old friend, and that’s exactly how his songs are written and shows performed. As comfortable in a bar room as he is in a listening room, by the 3rd verse of the first song, Stalets will have the room quiet enough to hear someone clutching their pearls, just before the refrain gives permission to laugh again. After almost a decade of songwriting and performing under his belt, it’s become your civic duty to catch Ben whenever he comes within 100 miles of your town. Ben’s medley of soundscape has allowed him to open for a wide berth of critically acclaimed acts, such as Justin Townes Earle, Joe Pug, Damien Jurado, Valerie June, Arlo McKinley, Whitey Morgan, Local H, Cory Branan, Daniel Romano, Icarus Account and so many more. He’s also been a staple at classic music destinations like Nelsonville Music Festival, Wurst Celebration (wiener fest) in Mansfield, TX and as a return guest on Knoxville’s Blue Plate Special. Ben Gage is a songwriter from Akron, OH, blending folk guitar and blues harmonica into a distinctive Americana sound. Since 2021, he’s toured across the US, Canada, and Europe, trading a corporate career for a life built on music, travel, and a whole lot more fresh air. His writing draws heavily from the places he explores and the people he meets, weaving road-earned stories with a deep love for the outdoors. On stage, Ben invites audiences to settle in as neighbors, listen together, and maybe remember not to take life quite so seriously. He has released three full-length albums since 2021, with songs reaching the top of folk charts, earning international recognition, and finding listeners around the world.
