Wayne Benson, born John Wayne Benson on April 9, 1969, in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an American mandolinist and songwriter known for his contributions to bluegrass music. Raised in a musical family, Benson began playing guitar at age seven and switched to the mandolin at 15. In 1989, he joined the band Livewire, recording Wired with them in 1990 on Rounder Records. Benson's career took a significant turn when he joined Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out in 1993, remaining with the group until 2004. He notably earned five consecutive Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) Mandolin Player of the Year awards from 1999 to 2003. In addition to his band work, Benson released his solo recording An Instrumental Anthology in 2003.
