From serving as captain of his own fleet of freighters to his recent selection as one of the top entertainers in his native Norway, country singer Arne Benoni has already accomplished a great deal in a short time. Now the artist has charted a course for American recognition, and so far it’s been smooth sailing as his reputation spreads across the U.S.

As the son of a Norwegian sailor, Benoni followed in his father’s footsteps, captaining his first freighter by the time he was only 18 and eventually building up an entire fleet of his own. But throughout his life another ambition remained firmly planted in his mind, one which proved to be even stronger than the call of the sea – becoming a country music performer.

His love for country music was first inspired by the distinctive style of the late Jim Reeves, who even today remains Benoni’s single most important musical influence.
“He was really what started my interest in country music,” Benoni says. “I find I still listen to his records constantly. In skill and style, he seemed to me to be almost ahead of his time.”

Though the artist had been well trained by his father before even entering navigational school, Benoni found entering music to be completely different. As both a guitarist and singer he is completely self-taught, beginning when he borrowed a guitar from a friend. “He showed me how to play two chords and I took it from there,” he recalls. “As for singing, in the beginning, I just copied all the other singers, Jim Reeves in particular, but there’s really no one person I try to emulate. I just want to build my own career.”

That career building is taking place on a very solid foundation. Benoni’s first single releases in his native country were well received, leading to concert and TV appearances not only in Norway but throughout other Scandinavian countries as well. A series of albums, one of which was recorded in Nashville, also heightened his popularity and resulted in his two previous appearances at the Wembley Festival. While in Music City USA to record, Benoni enjoyed one of the personal highlights of his career to date by appearing on a radio show with one of the musicians he listened to as a child, guitarist Chet Atkins. “For me, that was as big a thrill as being at Wembley,” Benoni says.

His climb to success as a country artist includes several other highlights, among them is recent selection as one of Norway’s top 10 entertainers, making him the only country singer named in the poll. “That was particularly gratifying to me,” he says of the honor. “Although it was conducted by a major newspaper, the poll was taken among the general public, and that’s who counts the most – the fans.”

Pleasing the people who buy his records and attend his concerts is obviously Benoni’s top priority as an entertainer, and he vows it will remain so even as his career continues to progress. “I always try to improve in any way I can,” he says. “My advice to anyone would be to do your homework first, appear in public later.”

Recently signed to Round Robin Records, Benoni is eager to include American country music fans in his rapidly expanding base of followers, something officials of the Nashville-based record label feel certain he will accomplish. “We anticipate that Arne’s popularity in Norway will blend over into this country quite well, said Round Robin Records President Jim Pierce in announcing Benoni’s signing. “He has such a smooth, richly textured voice that we’re expecting a big response from radio programmers as well as fans.”

A series of singles and album are now set for release in the U.S., with a coast-to-coast tour to follow. Once again the spectre of the late Jim Reeves is in the background of Benoni’s career, with Leo Jackson, the late superstar’s former guitarist, set to produce his debut American recordings. As an accomplished songwriter whose past albums have included many of his own compositions, Benoni also hopes to have his tunes recorded by established American artists in the future. “There’s a great deal I want to accomplish here,” he says. “But for now I intend to concentrate entirely on recording, writing and performing in concert.”

As he continues to sail along his well-charted course toward widespread international popularity, Arne Benoni is one of the most unique – and talented – country performers to hit U.S. shores in quite some time. As an all-around entertainer on the brink of worldwide recognition, it’s clear that his ship is about to come in.

Back to top of page