About J.J. Bennett 

From Monroe Ga a small town a big musical community J.J. Bennett’s musical journey began at age 7, when he first picked up a guitar, igniting a passion that would shape his life. By 9, his talent outgrew two local studios, leading him to Full Moon Studios in Watkinsville GA, where he studied under Scott Nicolson , a masterful guitarist and keyboardist with a Masters in Guitar from the University of Georgia.

Scott, a southern rock enthusiast inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin, mentored J.J. weekly from ages 9 to 16, helping him craft a distinctive sound. Through patient yet firm guidance, Scott fostered J.J.’s deep love for the guitar, steering him through challenges that can often cause young musicians to abandon their instruments. J.J. graduated from Full Moon Studios at 16, but his affection for the studio remains, and he recommends it to anyone looking to nurture their musical passion.

After leaving Full Moon Studios, J.J. spent a year working with Billy McCullough, a currently performing rock guitarist known for his electrifying style. Under Billy’s mentorship, J.J. honed his skills in rock guitar, mastering powerful licks and learning to channel the energy of legends like Eddie Van Halen. Billy’s influence was pivotal in shaping J.J.’s dynamic tone, adding a bold, high-energy edge to his evolving sound.

At 16, J.J. attended Vai Academy, a prestigious guitar seminar hosted by Steve Vai, where he connected with Grammy Award-winning producer and world-renowned guitarist Larry Mitchell, whom J.J. considers one of the top 10 guitarists globally. Larry became a pivotal mentor, profoundly influencing J.J.’s musical growth.

At Vai Academy, J.J. also met Dave Weiner, Steve Vai’s rhythm guitarist of over 20 years, who toured stadiums worldwide. For two years, J.J. worked with Dave to deepen his music theory knowledge and develop a rock-solid rhythm to complement his electrifying solos. J.J.’s guitar influences include legends like Albert King, Johnny Winter, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Gales, Nuno Bettencourt, Steve Vai, Dickey Betts, and Joe Bonamassa.

Vocally, J.J. has trained with Heidi Heulskoetter at Mama Jan Studios, an award-winning vocalist whose transformative coaching elevated J.J.'s singing to the next level and continues to hone his vocals weekly.  Heidi’s expertise and encouragement unlocked J.J.’s wide vocal range, revealing a versatility he didn’t know he possessed. Her ability to nurture young talent, combined with her own accolades as a vocalist, has been instrumental in shaping J.J. into a confident, dynamic frontman capable of captivating audiences with both his voice and guitar.

Through Jan Smith Studios, J.J. also met Mil Cannon, a multi-award-winning videographer, photographer, and director whose mentorship has been crucial in refining J.J.’s professional image and continues to help him learn the ways of the music industry. Mil’s guidance and image building has moved J.J. Into the professional music world as an edgy, retro, old but new but new artist, while helping him craft a compelling visual identity that resonates with fans.

From day one, Mil has provided invaluable insights into navigating the music industry’s complexities, offering strategic advice on branding, media presence, and handling the industry’s challenges, ensuring J.J. stands out in a competitive landscape.

Through the guidance of these extraordinary mentors, J.J. Bennett has woven together the raw, soulful energy of blues/rock’s storied past with a bold, innovative vision for the future. Drawing from the gritty authenticity of his influences and the modern flair shaped by his teachers, J.J. is crafting a sound and presence that is uniquely his own—blending vintage vibes with a fresh, genre-defying edge to create something entirely new for the next generation of music lovers.

Full Moon Studios: https://www.facebook.com/theFullMoonSchoolOfMusic

Scott Nicholson: https://www.facebook.com/Snichol2004

Billy McCullough: https://www.facebook.com/billy.mccullough.733

Vai Academy: https://www.facebook.com/VaiAcademy

Steve Vai: https://www.vai.com/

Larry Mitchell: www.larrymitchell.com 

Dave Wiener: https://www.facebook.com/daveweinerguitar

Heidi Heulskoetter: https://www.facebook.com/heidihuelskoetter

Mil Cannon: https://www.facebook.com/mil.cannon

Jan Smith Studios: https://www.facebook.com/jansmithstudios