Behind the Shedd

Welcome back to Behind the Shedd!   What a special episode this is.  Our guest today is a friend to Harold, Russ, and Wade and a friend to all who have had the good fortune to know him.  We welcome our dear friend, Rex Benson.   Rex is an American songwriter and music publisher whose career spans more than five decades in the music business.

Bio:
Beginning his songwriting career in the early 1970s, Rex went on to have songs recorded by an impressive list of artists, including Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, Tammy Wynette, Don Williams, Joe Diffie, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis, Bobby Vinton, Linda Ronstadt and Brad Paisley.

His songwriting credits include “Unto You This Night,” recorded by Garth Brooks; “Glass Houses,” recorded by Tammy Wynette with Joe Diffie; “Healing Hands,” recorded by Don Williams; and “What That Means,” recorded by Kenny Rogers with Brad Paisley.

Rex also co-wrote “Bed of Roses” with Steve Gillette. The song was recorded by several artists, including Kenny Rogers with Linda Davis, Chesapeake with Linda Ronstadt, Bobby Vinton and Mel Tillis. Tillis’ 1984 recording provides a special connection to Behind the Shedd — it was produced by legendary record producer Harold Shedd.

Beyond writing songs, Rex built a successful career in music publishing through the Rex Benson Music Group. One of his greatest publishing successes came with “Buy Me a Rose.” Rex signed and helped place the song with Kenny Rogers, whose recording became a Number One country hit in 2000. Luther Vandross later recorded the song for his Grammy-winning album Dance with My Father.

From writing songs and pitching demos to working with some of Nashville’s most recognizable artists, Rex Benson has spent more than 50 years experiencing the music business from the inside.

On this episode of Behind the Shedd, we sit down with Rex to hear the stories behind the songs, the artists who recorded them, and a lifetime spent in the Nashville music business.

Thanks to our Behind the Shedd Members on Patreon.  Ron Ledet - Stacy Shedd - Kay Wilson
Patreon episode supporter, Richie Ferguson

Behind the Shedd podcast is a weekly podcast series available on all major podcast platforms.  This podcast relives music row memories from Nashvilles most successful independent music producer, Harold Shedd.   Harold owned and operated the Music Mill Studio on Roy Acuff Place in Nashville and was later head of Mercury Records Nashville. 

Created by Wm. Wade Smith.  
Produced by Russ Zavitson and Wm. Wade Smith 
Original Behind the Shedd theme song written by Russ Zavitson 
Sound and audio by Russ Zavitson 
Cameras by Mike McKee
Director of Photography & Editing by Matt Holbrook at InFocus Media
Associate producers Brian Rawlings, Chuck Bedwell and Jason Morris

Get caught up on the latest episodes here:
https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheShedd/videos
Check out all our Youtube shorts here:
https://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheShedd/shorts

If you love the show and would like to help us continue making content, consider becoming a member on our Patreon page.  We have membership levels as low as 5 bucks or choose an option to hear your name or business on every podcast!
https://www.patreon.com/c/behindtheshedd/membership

Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568576867709
Check us out on Instagram and please follow us at:
https://www.instagram.com/behindtheshedd/
Follow us on TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@behindtheshedd
For more information about the show, suggest guests, or to inquire about advertising or becoming a brand partner, shoot us a message here:
behindtheshedd@gmail.com

Thanks to patreon supporters Ron Ledet - Stacy Shedd - Kay Wilson
Patreon episode supporter, Richie Ferguson

Please visit our sponsors here:
The Fork Inn
theforkinn.com
Pop’s Chevrolet 
www.popschevy.com
Wild Bill’s Fireworks
www.wildbillsfireworks.com
The Kent Rose Foundation 
kentrosefoundation.com
Harold Shedd Music Gallery & The Harold Shedd Foundation
www.haroldsheddmusicgallery.com


Thanks to our monthly supporters
  • Richie Ferguson
  • Kay Wilson
  • Stacy Shedd
  • Ron Ledet

Creators and Guests

Host
Harold Shedd
Founder of Music Mill Studio and Polydor Nashville. Head of Mercury Polygram Records Nashville 1988-1994. Signed Alabama, KT Oslin, Kentucky Headhunters, Billy Ray Cyrus, Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Sammy Kershaw
Producer
Russ Zavitson
Head of Music Mill Studios in Nashville, TN. Producer, guest, and composer of Behind the Shedd
Producer
Wm. Wade Smith

What is Behind the Shedd?

Stories and interviews from the 70's, 80's, and 90's about music row in Nashville with legendary music producer Harold Shedd.