Rene Benton, along with Floodgate Entertainment Group/MTS/Virgin/Universal Music Group, will release his third album, “2 Live in O-Ma-Haw; Lyvv in Omaha,” on November 30th, 2024. The album will be available in digital, immersive audio, video, and physical formats.
"2 Live in O-Ma-Haw; Lyvv in Omaha" takes a slightly different approach to Benton’s past work, serving as a "Documusical experience" that combines music, storytelling, and local history. The album aims to capture the city’s ever evolving identity; told through the perspectives of its people and set against the backdrop of Rene’s music.
TRACKLISTING:
1. Intro Of Xpression
2. Push/Pull
3. East Meets West
4. Green Light Go
5. Nation Of Struggle
6. Inner City Blues
7. Love is Pain
8. Halo or The Horns
9. Steppin' Out
The album is a unique blend of music and storytelling, offering listeners a journey through Omaha's evolving cultural landscape. Speaking about the record, Rene had this to say: “"2 Live In O-Ma-Haw, Lyvv In Omaha" is a live recording that marks a return to my home state of Nebraska after not performing in the state or the city in over three decades. The songs happen to connect with changes in the world, in the city and in society as a whole. The record is part narrative, part historical, part statistical and part music. I refer to it as a documusical experience. I am happy that some people will be willing to listen, but I would also like them to walk away learning at least a bit of something that they never thought about."
Speaking about the artwork, Rene continued: "The artwork is a depiction of Will Brown, an African American man who was lynched outside Douglas County Courthouse on September 28, 1919. Brown was being accused of rape.
Inside the burning courthouse building, pleading with the sheriff not to be released to certain death, Brown reportedly stated over and over again, “I am innocent, I never did it, my God I am innocent.” It’s unclear based on historical records if he was pushed out by other prisoners, released by guards or pulled out by the attackers, but eventually Brown was stripped naked, beaten, hanged and shot before being placed on a bonfire. Then a frightened 14-year-old boy, later a 20th-century American acting icon, Henry Fonda watched the hanging from a nearby building with his father. Remarking on the incident in a 1975 BBC interview, he said: “It was the most horrendous sight I’d ever seen. My hands were wet, there were tears in my eyes. All I could think of was that young black man dangling at the end of a rope.”
Brown’s corpse was dragged behind a car throughout the city the next morning. Nearly 2,000 members of the 26th Infantry restored order and maintained martial law to end the chaos, as well as protect the Black community in north Omaha. Without a service, graveside mourners, or even a headstone, Brown was buried in the local potter’s field with a marking that simply said “lynched”. It wasn’t until 2012 that a California donor gave him a proper headstone and grave marking. Last month, the city of Omaha unveiled a commemorative plaque outside the Douglas County courthouse to acknowledge what happened to Brown, Edward P Smith and the legacy of racial violence in Omaha from 28-29 September 1919. No one was ever tried for Brown’s death nor the attempted lynching of Mayor Smith."
With an extensive touring schedule spanning over 70 countries to date, Rene has been an in-demand guitarist, both for his solo career and as a touring musician with other notable artists. Now, with "2 Live in O-Ma-Haw; Lyvv in Omaha" Rene returns to where it all began; Omaha, Nebraska, alongside longtime friends Troy Johnson (bass), Todd Roberson (drums), and Algerian keyboardist Nidhal Keddah.
Production credits for the album include Tim Zick (Mannheim Steamroller, Dee Dee Bridgewater), Aaron Sprinkle (Demon Hunter, Kutless), Nino Laurenne (Sonata Arctica, Spinefarm Records), and Justin Passamonte. With mastering by Matthew Gray (Hillsong) and Atmos Mastering by Starsound Studios.
Rene's motivation for this album was sparked during a tour in Central America in 2019/2020, where a global shutdown left him stranded for weeks. "I don’t mind isolation," Benton recalls. "But where you’re isolated makes all the difference." Upon his return to the U.S., he took time to reflect on his next artistic endeavour, and thus "2 Live in O-Ma-Haw; Lyvv in Omaha" was born.
Rene Benton is known as a versatile guitarist whose skill and diversity have taken him around the globe. He has played alongside legendary acts, from rock icon Chubby Checker’s band members to Grammy-winning artists. Drawing from influences ranging from progressive rock to funk to country, Benton’s sound blends technical mastery with deep emotional resonance. His work has been featured in leading music and guitar publications, including Top Guitar (Poland), Dark City (Russia), Guitar Club (Italy), and Total Guitar (UK) among others.
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