The Center for the Arts
Genre: Rock Benmont Tench is a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Best known as the longtime pianist and keyboard player for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Benmont Tench is one of rock’s most respected instrumentalists, as he’s guested on countless recordings other artists. Born on September 7, 1953, in Gainesville, Florida, Tench took up piano at an early age, playing recitals at the age of six. But shortly after discovering the Beatles, Tench turned his back on lessons and focused on ’60s rock & roll. As a teenager, Tench met another up-and-coming rocker, Tom Petty, at a local music store. Several years later (while on break from college), Tench caught Petty’s band, Mudcrutch (which also included future Heartbreaker Mike Campbell on guitar), in concert, and after sitting in with the band on several different occasions, went back to school. Petty asked Tench shortly thereafter to quit school and join Mudcrutch full-time, which after some deliberation, he agreed to.
Center for the Arts volunteers: Please remember to wear black or black and white clothes with closed-toe shoes. Please leave time to find street parking as our parking lot is for patrons only. If you're a new volunteer, please come 15 minutes early and ask for the House Manager so we can give you a quick orientation to your duties for the event. When you arrive at the Center (314 W. Main Street, Grass Valley) enter through the front lobby doors and check in at the volunteer table in the gallery.
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