Ben Hope and the Uptown Outfit

Originally from Alabama, Ben Hope moved after college to New York, where he made a name for himself as an actor, winning the Kennedy Center award for “Most Promising Career” in 2006 and appearing in the lead roles of such critically-acclaimed productions as Ring of Fire, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, The Buddy Holly Story, and Once. Now, with their debut full-length album due out early 2015, Ben Hope & The Uptown Outfit are branching out to a broader fanbase. Hope set his mind on becoming a performance artist the first time he saw Garth Brooks in concert as a boy. As a teen, Hope taught himself guitar and perfected his songwriting style while simultaneously growing as an actor. Performing extensively in local theater, he developed a skill for storytelling that led him to win acting awards statewide in Alabama and regionally in the Southeast. Since graduating college, Hope has made a living as a professional actor and touring musician, drawing influences from both art forms to build a reputation as an accessible yet unforgettable performer. On his forthcoming album, Hope infuses Travis Tritt and Garth Brooks’ classic country styles with contemporary funk and rock flavors from such artists as Hayes Carll, JD McPherson, and the Avett Brothers. The end result is a lyrically-driven sound likely to convert non-country listeners with its strong vocal delivery, adventurous song structures, and sophisticated musicianship. You'll love to come drink and dance to this rowdy sound!