One seemingly ordinary day in late 2008, Ben Sutton got a phone call from a good friend of his that would send his life on an unexpected path. He had just begun his personal journey into songwriting. Like many new songwriters, he had no real plans for his music and had not shared his work with anyone other than a few close friends. It was one of these close friends that called him to ask if he would play a show with him at a coffee shop around the corner from where Ben lived at the time. Ben agreed without thinking twice. This is where the making of his debut album Comin’ Up High truly began. Ben Sutton was raised in Alabama. He moved to central North Carolina at age 26 and began playing music 6 years later. This is also where he would first meet drummer/vocalist Ryan Burgess, bassist Josh Coe and guitarist/vocalist Keith Ingalls of The Ends as well as Jesse Hensley (guitarist - BIG Something): a formidable group of musicians that would provide truly stellar performances on the album in addition to playing shows with Ben years down the road. From the funky soulful groove of “Cocaine Devils & Gypsy Queens” that tells of hard times and personal demons to the melodic and heartfelt duet with Carri Smithey (vocalist - Too Far Gone, Carri Smithey Band) on “Lost and Found”, the diversity of tastes and influences displayed on Comin’ Up High will please many listeners’ musical palettes. Discerning listeners will hear elements of soul, country, blues and funk in his songs. There is also an impressive list of featured artists on his debut album in addition to the ones already mentioned: Chris Reed (guitarist - Back Porch Orchestra), Jesse Hensley (guitarist - BIG Something), . Ben’s sincere and soulful vocals are powerful and moving in any context: listening to his album, watching him take the stage with The Ends as a backing band or a solo acoustic show in a small venue. Ben began his musical journey at a later stage in life than most, but that hasn’t stopped him from forging ahead and continuing to make music that will strike a chord with most who hear it. After 4 years of an unexpected and fortunate journey, Comin’ Up High is his effort to capture all the ups and downs, good times and bad...all in one musical picture. An effort that most could agree was a successful one. Every song on the album is based on a live performance. No vocal autotuning or massive edits. Just great performances by great musicians are the core of this album.