I-95 Drive Home Mystery Artist [VIDEO]

Tonight’s mystery artist a founding member of one of our favorite bands but it only happened after the band’s leader convinced the guys father that his son could quit college in deference for being in the band because he would have a great career in music. Think you know who he might be or his influential band leader??

So funny what you find out for back stories of different bands when you peek into their past. Tonight’s artist born Benjamin Montmorency Tench III in Ganesville, FL. played classical piano at an early age until he discovered the Beatles and then his attention turned to Rock and Roll. A long time friend of Tom Petty, Benmont as he is called, played in Petty’s garage band the Sundowners.

Wikipedia says he went on to college in later years but during a break his life’s path would be altered forever.  The story is told:

“While on a college break, Tench went to a concert by Mudcrutch, Petty's band, with an opening act Lynyrd Skynyrd. Afterwards, he sat in with the band on several different sessions, then went back to school. Soon after, Petty called Tench and asked him to quit school and join Mudcrutch full-time, which after long deliberation, Tench agreed to; but before he would leave school, Petty had to convince Tench's father that his son had a promising music career.”

And with and iconic keyboard riff here is tonight's featured song: