-Drums
-Percussion

- I play fat beats for WOB and enjoy doing so.
- I am married and father two children, one being a dog.
- My life plays out like one big Seinfeld episode.
- "That's what she said" will never, ever get old.

JP

-Drums
-Percussion

Devon's affair with music began when he started taking private piano lessons at the age of six.  At the age of twelve, after going to see the animated Tarzan movie and falling love with the percussive music composed for the movie by Phil Collins, he realized that while piano is fun, drums are where it's at!  As a drummer, Devon went on to play in various bands throughout high school, and he eventually landed a scholarship at CCM where he studied jazz percussion for two years.  Today, Devon is staying busy finishing up school, and playing music as much as possible.  He currently maintains a teaching practice locally at Music Makers, and loves playing drums for Waiting on Ben, as well as Up Dog, The Firelytes Steel Drum Band, and Laika.

-Bass
-Guitars
-Vocals

Um, a bio, huh?  I hate writing those.   How about:

"Jude Hayden plays bass with Waiting on Ben and The Re-Bops, and is a singer/guitarist/bassist/songwriter with Leisure.  He loves the nightlife, he likes to boogie."

-Jude

-Bass
-Guitars
-Vocals

It all started when Jon was 7 years old and wanted a drum set, and nothing else, for christmas.  His parents, not wanting the noise, didn't get him one.  Dreams crushed, Jon decided he wanted to play bass, his parents responded by getting him a guitar, which is NOT what he wanted (ironic, isn't it?).

After years of playing guitar and eventually starting to enjoy it, Jon decided to start playing bass upon graduating high school, and magically ended up in CCM somehow, where he so conveniently met good old Carlos, who then introduced him to the band Waiting on Ben, the rest is history...

Or perhaps, the rest is future, seeing as he is now known as 'the new guy' in the band, Jon can be spotted either playing bass or guitar with the band, maybe even doing a little percussion, as well as attempting to sing.

This guy's other hobbies include: composing, going on adventures, trying exotic beers, getting on Carlos' nerves, saying stupid things into microphones, rock climbing, traveling, and not getting arrested.

-Saxophones
-Keyboards
-Guitars
-Vocals

The band stepped up a notch when David Swift decided to join.  His parts and styles are like the icing on the cake that is Waiting on Ben.  A student of all different kinds of music, Dave is a very versatile player—not only in terms of styles, but also instruments.  At any given moment you may catch Dave playing piano, keyboards, saxophones, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, among other instruments.  He also is a talented vocalist.  Dave is quite a busy guy, and we’re happy when he has the time to play with Waiting on Ben.  He’s married with four young children.  “Mr. Swift” is a music teacher at a local high school, where he directs the high school marching band, as well as takes part in handfuls of other extracurricular activities and projects for the kids.  On the side he plays in The Re-Bops as well as his local church ensemble……and if he ever has a free moment, you can find Dave playing frisbee golf or watching his beloved Louisville Cardinals.  Dave and the rest of the band hope to see you out at a show soon!

-Guitars
-Vocals

Carlos R. Vargas was born and grew up in the city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.  He started to study classical guitar at the age of 7 at the “Experimental Music School" in Tegucigalpa, he kept playing through the years and is accepted into the jazz guitar program in the National Autonomous University of Honduras where he took classes with Julio Zelaya and Eduardo Acosta.  In 2007 he moves to Cincinnati and is accepted into the jazz guitar program of CCM where he is currently attending.  He is happily married to Emily Vargas, and they also have to dogs, “Guapo Antonio Perrito” (chihuahua) and “Coco la del barrio” (poodle).  He loves to spend time with the 2 things he loves the most, with the wife and doing music.  He’s also crazy about futbol (what you guys call soccer) as every Honduran is.  Carlos Vargas started with Waiting on Ben in the summer of 2007.

Note: this Bio was written by Carlos Vargas.  In case of any written mistake, or misspelling.

-Keyboards
-Vocals

I started playing the piano at age 6, and I’ve kept at it ever since.  I recently graduated from Pickerington North High School, after playing for a few years with their musicals, choir programs and bands.  Right now I’m majoring in jazz piano at the University of Cincinnati under a great jazz pianist, Phil DeGreg.  I love to play basketball, and I also love astrophysics.  It’s great to play with Waiting on Ben- they ‘found’ me through the prestigious Carlos “Uncle Taco” Vargas.  Playing with these guys is awesome, and I greatly enjoy it!

-Guitars
-Percussion
-Harmonicas
-Vocals

Nickname:  Alex or Big Al
Height:  6’1”
Eyes:  2 (blue)
Hair:  Some
Weight:  185-235 (seasonal)
Interests:  Guitar (duh!), smoothies, biking, running, basketball, baseball, skiing,

Musical Influences: Beatles, Rascals, James Taylor, Steven Curtis Chapman, Uriah Heap

I started playing the ukulele at age 5.  One day after my accordion lesson, my mom brought home a guitar and set it by the fireplace.  One year later, I picked it up, and began to play.  Then I tuned it.  I’ve been picking ever since.  I’ve played in several groups, but mainly enjoyed the vintage rock years with Geno, Don, and the rest of The Re-Bops.  Waiting on Ben has been a blast for me because I’ve discovered the creativity behind performing original music, and I’m surrounded by great musicians and people.  We play a wide variety of styles, and if a song requires more than three chords, I can just play the tambourine and let someone else deal with them!  This band has a unique personality that comes through in our music.  I feel our music covers the emotional spectrum.  The Waiting on Ben band does not depend on volume to really drive a song.  We would sound the same in a stadium, or in your kitchen —some of my best work has taken place in the kitchen.

-Guitars
-Harmonicas
-Vocals

Hey everyone, thanks for checking out the website.  You can read more about my musician side on the “bio” page, so I’ll tell you a little about myself outside of playing music.  I’m a very routine-oriented person.  I like things to be organized, punctual, and thorough…..which I’ve been told are rare characteristics for a musician!  It’s odd that the name of my original band (which has also been carried over to this new project) was called “Waiting on Ben,” because I’m usually the first to arrive and the last to leave!  I guess taking a late afternoon nap before a gig and sleeping through your alarm isn’t the best thing to do when your band has just formed and is looking for an appropriate name?

“So what’s the name of your band?”
“Well, we play with Ben Alexander, who isn’t here yet. We’re actually not sure where he is?!.....
Right now we’re....Waiting on Ben.”

Okay, so there have been a few times I’m not so punctual!

Outside of work and music, I try to keep myself busy.  I’m big into exercise and sports.....more playing than watching.  I play a lot of intramural sports:  basketball, softball, volleyball, broomball, ultimate frisbee, etc, etc.  But I always try to make time for my beloved Bengals, Buckeyes and Bearcats games.  I have also done my fair share of traveling around the country.  Last time I counted, I had been to over 40 states—including Hawaii and Alaska!