577 – Benzel Baltimore: P-Funk’s Adopted Son
Benzel Baltimore has been playing with the legendary band P-Funk since he was 15 years old. Yes, you read that right. In fact, he played at Woodstock ’99 while he was technically still on punishment from his father, Bennie Cowan, P-Funk’s longtime trumpet player. But make no mistake about it, Benzel worked hard to get (and keep) the gig with P-Funk. As he says, “there was no nepotism.”
It’s not a stretch to say that Benzel grew up abnormally compared to most kids, but for him, that was all he knew. To this day, he draws on those early experiences of life on the road to influence his decisions, shape the direction of his future and ponder his role as a veteran drummer in the ever-changing world of live music.
Benzel Baltimore talks about:
- Overcoming the expectations that come with age and changing the way he plays as he grows older
- His process for listening to other artists and practicing
- The importance of putting in the time to be the best
- Growing up around his father’s band and musical friends
- Lessons he learned while touring with the Red Hot Chili Peppers