Benton - Medea Tech

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, his musical influences ranges from progressive rockers Kansas to the sophisticated funk of the Ohio Players.

After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Rene’ decided to dedicate his energy towards music. Touring extensively throughout the United States and abroad (38 states and 50 countries to date), he has produced an astounding resume which includes Rock and Roll legend such as Chubby Checker band; Pop Star artists, such as Sweden’s Gigi Hamilton (with Warner Brothers Records EMI); and Columbia Records recording artist  Fishbone (Angelo Moore)  to name a few.

Rene’ has also had collaborations and performances with Tuhran Terrell (keyboardist/Anita Baker/Four Tops/Temptations), Jerome “Stixx” Davis (drummer/LaFace/Arista recording artist Tony Rich); singer Hunter Gerard (soap opera star/General Hospital); and Louie Louie (WTG recording artist , chart topping hit “Lap of Luxury”).

Rene’ was also involved with the modern musical Dreamscape; created and performed by Steve Reed, percussionist for fusion jazz legends – The Rippingtons. As well recording with Grammy award winner  Sleepy Brown writer of the hit by Outkast (I like the way U move) and multiple performances with Grammy award winning bassist for Latin pop star Mark Anthony, Mel Brown and Christian Rapcore band Junkyard Prophet and a faction of The Fortunes (UK 70;s group that had the hit ("Here comes that rainy day feelin' Again").

Taking time to record his first full-length release, Rene’ employed expertise from Troy Johnson, bass; and, the dynamic drumming of Todd Roberson; both backing up the likes of Michael Lee Firkins (Shrapnel records alumni), Stephen Pearcy (former frontman of Ratt); and their own instrumental powerhouse JRZ System. The result was a throttle-filled carpet ride sounding like a fusion between Stevie Wonder and Tony MacAlpine.

His follow up project  Rene called on more musical friends such as, Grammy Award winner Philip Bynoe (bassist/Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt, and Mark Boals), and Atma Anur (drummer/Greg Howe, Cacophony , Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker),  Kelly Conlon (bassist Death, Monstrosity, Azure Emote) Funk legend guitarist Charlie Singleton(Cameo) and drummer/producer Paul Vowell (Radioactive Chickenheads, Green Jelly, Sleepy Brown of Outkast) along with an appearances by long time commrade Troy Johnson(bassist JRZ System) among others. Rene was fortunate enough to record with Belizian/Central American superstar Andy Palacio who passed away shortly after completing one of his last recording sessions.

Rene’ has appeared in numerous music/guitar oriented magazines  such as Guitar Club (Italy), Top Guitar (Poland), Total Guitar (UK), Dark City (Russia) to name a few and countless webzines around the world.

He is also a Grammy Voting member which duties include overseeing that artist all across over the globe receive recognition for their creative efforts

MEDEA Pedals, Fryette Amplification, Digitech Corp, Rocktron Signal Processors, KTS Titanium bridges, KXK Custom Guitars, Strictly 7 Guitars, Seymour Duncan Pickups, NADY Wireless Systems, GHS Strings, Q-Lighting, Morley Pedals, Techstar/Palmer speaker simulators, Voodoo Labs, Digital Music Corp, Gig-Fx pedals, Dava Picks.