Originally, the group members were Davis and drummer Mic Capdevielle. Eventually, the outfit expanded into a six-piece with the addition of Anthony Rushing (violin, mandolin, vocals), Jonathan Lawhun (guitar, banjo), Brett Bolden (bass) (later replaced by Matt Rusnak), and Michael Galasso (harmonica, keyboards, vocals). The Benjy Davis Project built up a following while touring nationally as a support act to John Mayer, Better Than Ezra, and the North Mississippi Allstars, as well as playing such prominent local shows as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The group self-released its first album, More Than Local (April 20, 2002), and an EP, The Practice Sessions (May 4, 2004). Bogalusa issued their second full-length album, The Angie House, on September 27, 2005, and Real Records stepped in to handle their third, Dust, which appeared on September 18, 2007. ~ William Ruhlmann