Ben Sherman, born in 1959, took up the guitar at age twelve and hasn't stopped since. Ben debuted his recording career with FIRST LIGHT , his 1998 independent release- a critically praised showcase for Ben's guitar talents. The range of styles represented on this CD are the result of Ben's lifelong passion for the guitar in all its diversity, and his relentless pursuit of excellence. Ben grew up listening to jazz, studying classical music and teaching himself rock and roll. Ben has racked up countless nights of gigs over the last 25 years with some of the best musicians in the Maryland region, in just about every style of music. In FIRST LIGHT, Ben delivers a superb set of all instrumental originals, clearly showing the influence of Steve Morse, Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, and more. It also features a Michael Hedges-inspired acoustic solo on the title track, and a lush multi-tracked rendition of Steve Hackett's "Horizons." Music Monthly Magazine selected Ben's "Chickenfish" for inclusion on its 1998 regional music compilation CD, MUSIC MONTHLY MUSIC. REVIEWS: JAZZ GUITAR ONLINE: "Fans of rock/fusion/eclectic guitar need to check this one out. Stop by Ben's website and let him know JGO sent you! Recommended." "Ben's compositional skills are in no doubt..." "Ben's classical chops are quite good..." "highly melodic..." GUITAR NINE RECORDS: "highly melodic guitar style with soaring lead work..." "High caliber performances throughout...." E.E.R. REVIEWS: "Highly proficient fretwork here, a multitude of stylings and a pleasure all the way through. Sherman fires it up like Steve Morse, mellows like Andy Summers on chord phrasings, blues-rock licks like Stevie Ray and jazzes it up tastefully all the while." MUSIC MONTHLY MAGAZINE "Sherman dances over the fretboard with an urban determination and attitude..." "The production is top notch in all ways..." "Sherman knows not only how to write an excellent song, but also how to tell a compelling story."