Press Articles & Interviews
Our Duet Competition Winner Claims Her Prize
[September 2010]
Back in April BenMillsOnline launched an exclusive competition, in association with West Track Studios in Canterbury, where one lucky winner would get the opportunity to record a duet with Ben Mills.
Those who entered were required to answer a number of questions about Ben and then complete a tie-breaker. After the competition closed, Ben was shown the tie-breakers submitted by those who had managed to answer all the questions correctly, and it was from amongst those that he chose our winner - 16 year old Emily Ware from Ashford in Kent.
Emily, who has been singing for about eight years and describes it as her passion, arrived at the studios shortly before midday, accompanied by her dad, Rob. We were joined soon after by Ben and sound engineer, Clive Austen.
After a short discussion over what song to record, it was decided that they would do Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love", recently covered by Adele on her album "19".
With just three hours to get the job done, Emily set to work recording her vocals. She sang the song the entire way through, and when everybody was happy with how it sounded, Ben and Clive went through and muted all the sections that Ben was going to sing. After which, Ben went into the recording booth and Emily's recording was played back so that Ben could add to it, including the harmonies on the chorus.
Following a quick coffee break up on the roof terrace, we returned to the studio where Ben and Emily added a few final harmonies before handing over to Clive who worked his magic on the mixing desk. The end result is an amazing version of such a beautiful song.....
Ben Mills & Emily Ware perform Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love"
(Please Note: No Autotune was used on this recording)
(click player to listen)
Of her time in the studio Emily said, "It was such an amazing experience and I felt completely at ease with Ben, it was such a comfortable atmosphere. Ben is so talented and I felt honoured to be able to record with him. I had such a great day. It's a day I'll treasure forever."
Ben, who also enjoyed the recording session, said "I had a really good time and it was great to work with someone so young who has so much talent." With a grin he added, "She reminded me of myself!" and then he laughed. Speaking of Emily's future he said, "I think Emily is going to have a great future as a singer and really hope this experience has helped in some way."
At this point we would like to say a massive thank you to Ben for making time for this recording session in his busy schedule, and equally massive thanks to everyone at the Skillnet Group for allowing us to use their studio free of charge. If it had not been for their generosity, we would never have been able to run this competition.
Report & Photography by Saara Ord - Webmaster / Administrator
(More photographs can be found in the Gallery)
Book Your Own Recording Session With Ben Mills
In addition be being available for hire to local musicians, West Track Studios can also play host to personal recording sessions with Ben Mills. Whether, like Emily, you have aspirations of becoming a professional singer, or if you simply enjoy singing and fancy doing something a little different, West Track Studios, together with Ben, will ensure that your time spent in the studio will be an amazing experience.
West Track Studios
West Track Studios is a purpose built recording, rehearsal and multimedia facility situated in St Dunstans, in the centre of historic Canterbury.
The studios were set up by Skillnet Group Community Interest Company, a social enterprise supporting people with and without learning difficulties/disabilities to work together to make differences.
The studios are open for the whole community and hired out to local community groups, organisations, musicians and artists.
It is fully accessible for people who use wheelchairs and meets Disability Discrimination Act requirements.
The studios are part of a small community hub that is aiming to become a completely sustainable, carbon-neutral centre of excellence around environmental/green issues.
For more information about the studios and details on how to book a recording session with Ben Mills, please visit the West Track Studios website.
Competition Answers - How Did You Do?
Question 1: Which artist recorded a cover version of "Nothing But The Truth"?
Answer: D - Mica Paris
Question 2: Which 3 charities is Ben a Patron of?
Answer: C - Kent Kids, RSPCA, Walk With Michael
Question 3: At which gig was this picture taken?
Answer: A - Totally Wild (June 2007)
Question 4: When were the West Track Studios officially launched?
Answer: D - 21st May 2009
Question 5: Who co-wrote track 10 on Ben's album, "Freedom"?
Answer: B - Mark Owen
Question 6: Which vegetable did Ben say he was in the Reload Magazine interview?
Answer: C - Butternut Squash
Question 7: Which Kent newspaper covered the story of Ben's Birthday Gift to Great Ormond Street Hospital?
Answer: A - Whitstable Gazette
Question 8: Ben and Melissa were married in July 2009 but where?
Answer: B - Blean