Benjamin Tod and Jason Dea West, "Life's Hard to Handle," // GemsOnVHS™

When Scottish banjo playing legend Sam Shackleton decided to come tour the great United States of America, I knew one place we had to visit. So I loaded up the ole Jeep and we rolled into Kentucky, the bluegrass state. It was Muhlenberg county once again, home of many wonders, but especially home of Benjamin Tod.
Me and Sam pulled up to Sip & Spin coffee and records in Greenville, Kentucky, owned by the infamous Ben Duvall, who is also the new drummer for Lost Dog Street Band. We were greeted with some warm cups of joe, and a familiar friend, Jason Dae West, who was visiting Benjamin as well. They'd played a lot of music together over the years ( • Barefoot Surrender, "G... , but recently they had written a tune together, and shared it here with us.
Later that night, we all stayed over at Benjamin's property, sharing common songs from Scottish and American folk traditions, laughing and telling tall tales. A good time all around, and one i'm sure Sam won't forget.
You can find Benjamin's tunes on all platforms at www.benjamintodmusic.com/. You can find Jason's tunes on bandcamp at intuitivecompass.bandcamp.com/.
Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, Mr. Free, and Rusty Shackleford.
Consider becoming a Patreon contributor to help sustain this project. For the price of a cup of coffee every month, you let us continue finding and filming amazing artists.
/ gemsonvhs
GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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www.gemsonvhs.com

[@GemsOnVHS]

We're getting our field recordings on Spotify for y'all! Check 'em out at open.spotify.com/artist/7t78CwAbQIA6DKAKUKBYgl?si=V6VTcLxtQWupz0QpvbZYSA. You can find Benjamin on Instagram at @benjamintodmusic and Jason at @jasondeawest.

[@Free_Bird420]

I'd love to see a longform video of y'all hanging out just sharing songs back and forth of an evening, tall tales included. Sounds like such a pleasant time.

[@MC-qn3sy]

Heavily agree on this!

[@Heffy90]

Gems on Vhs heartworn highways.

[@codylarson3785]

I've always thought that they should do a heartworn highways type thing.

[@MC-qn3sy]

@@codylarson3785take my money already

[@johnmikula8655]

Please tell me this is gonna be released on something soon. Would love to see you both in the Buffalo NY area. Come on up

[@jdett4111]

WOOOOO how am I seeing this for the first time on here!!! They were staying at my house when they wrote this!

[@pricemedlin5651]

These boys have the voice of the American spirit

[@MarkRiley12]

THISSSSSS! We need more of this! AND definitely more of Ben playing banjo again! We love you guys!

[@PabloBanksie741]

I love seeing these two collaborate, its always magical

[@JoshuaOLake]

Thank you guys so much for this! Just rolled in to a new town for hopefully the last time in a long while! Be well my friends!

[@blue_u_defense]

Good luck friend 😎

[@santsi7306]

Love these two together! So glad to hear them together again!

[@mouse6064]

Just love the simple old style country music, how it should be .

[@MC-qn3sy]

Let’s gooo fresh Benjamin tod and Jason dea west 😤😤😤

[@pizzarolljohnson5589]

Nearly Spit my coffee out when I read the title. So excited

[@MC-qn3sy]

@@pizzarolljohnson5589 haha I saw the notification and couldn’t get the app to open fast enough 😂 enjoy the day 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@bgabriel6532]

Would have loved to see Sam join in there. 3 of my favorite musicians here, all thanks to you Anthony! Well and the whole GemsOnVHS team!

[@klippdachs]

Love it! Thanks for posting.

[@SabrinaAngel]

I ❤️ Benjamin Todd. Great duo 😊

[@ImTheSlime]

Been waiting for this for years! Love your voices together! Thanks 🙏

[@zane2go]

amazing like always cant wait to hear more from these two!

[@ChudsReef]

Always a good day with new music from Ben. Almost helps me forget I just broke my ankle an hour ago.

[@DrJFever-gf7zs]

Feel better!

[@brianstearskingnothing]

You put out true gems 💎

[@sethmountain]

What a classic song. Amazing all around!

[@matthew6427]

Well, if this didn't just brighten my day! Thank you Gems & Ben & Jason, hope y'all are well this new year!

[@caseycomp]

Love this, great job! ♥

[@roadlumberjack]

yeah! more of these two together! so good

[@davidhaag716]

Yet another banger. These two never disappoint and are always laying down pure gold ✌🏼

[@scottkidwell3601]

This was fantastic! A pair of dapper musicians doing what they do Thanks, y'all 🙏🏻🤍

[@MattStrom]

You 2 make this old man smile more than yall know. Thanks as always @gemsonvhs for always bringing such amazing moments to us all.

[@Tunathegr8]

I love you for all that you do for us Tony!

[@spudelrudel2979]

you are spoiling us!!

[@brianstearskingnothing]

Thank you gems 💎

[@a.p.rodgers]

Awesome to see this duo performing together.

[@justinmcglothlin878]

very nice fellas. refreshing, old timey country song. livin the old way, far from the highway.. that's all i'm trying to do, but shit's getting harder for sure.

[@rizzo_is_so_bro]

Good to see you guys playing again!

[@Shaky11030]

Need this on Spotify ASAP

[@doodmonkey]

Heck yeah, two of my favorites.

[@Jamjam-nv6yl]

Life sure is hard to handle lately but y'all make it a lil easier thank you!

[@joshjohnson154]

That’s just beautiful brothers! Somethings are just meant to be.

[@oldtimejustin7131]

Great song!!

[@nicksilver_music]

The legends live on 🙌

[@cedarriver]

Ah love that resonator sound. Great job! Chords and lyrics below folks! Standard tuning, no capo Intro Em G D G Verses G / G / G / Em G / D G Interlude G / G / G / Em G / D G / Em G / D G [Intro] [Verse 1] Life's hard to handle You can't hold a candle It's lost in the bramble Lord knows I'm bound to ramble Lord knows I'm bound to ramble [Verse 2] Lost along the way boys Leaving no choice Follow that voice Got lost along the way boys Lost along the way boys [Interlude] [Verse 3] Livin' the old way Far from the highway Country's been pain But I still walk a third lane Still walk a third lane [Verse 4] The storm moves among us And it kicks up the field dust Rain brings zeros Sun makes the crop blush Sun makes the crop blush [Interlude] [Verse 1] Life's hard to handle You can't hold a candle It's lost in the bramble And that road made of gravel is a hard road to travel Road made of gravel is a hard road to travel

[@mdelahay1879]

What a treat

[@chrismalandrini2805]

This is Great. Much love from the Applegate.

[@bigpaugh]

Thank you!! Wish the best for everyone!!

[@Xorgnak]

You boys look healthy. Glad to see it. Keep it up.

[@1blud369]

Few things on the internet cheer me up like a new song from Tod and Dae!!!

[@brianstearskingnothing]

Great tune for a for hour of partying an rambling 😊

[@LowEndPCGamer100]

good to see ben kicking and kicking strong still!

[@noreshii]

Tears

[@Algoraphobic]

Looking healthy boys! Moving again the week, hoping SC had a story for me to tell one day, and it’s nice to know y’all are still going strong!

[@tabusary]

This man has truly saved me

[@Smoothbigcat1889]

Man two of my favorite and musicians on another great colab y'all should tour together.... And make central Montana a stop 😁

[@nlv9108]

joy

[@weepingwillow2107]

Ben’s voice just cuts through ur soul🔪❤️‍🔥🥲 excellent work gents 🩵

[@saraabellgayfield59]

After months I am obsessed. Got my gardening on, hope you do too.

[@thresholdofbecoming7855]

two of the greats of our generation

[@wintermoonomen]

Great pure Americana!

[@jamisonwatters]

Nice!

[@oceanemerold2895]

Can we stop 1 minute on the damn class of those men 🖤😳

[@garywillison2794]

Great song! That National sounds like h heaven.

[@Tokinjester]

Brilliant 👍😁 can't believe these guys hadn't written anything together before this 🤯

[@haroldwilsie8284]

Look up Barefoot Surrender that’s a old band of there’s

[@JWheeler331]

Nice song.

[@Heffy90]

Some of the real ones right there.

[@brianstearskingnothing]

You 2 look great an sound very refined now

[@fullarmorpreparedness5606]

Get it gentlemen.

[@NaVaWiLL]

Wish i could find live music like this on the west coast

[@vinnychurchill5143]

Damn fine song. Jason should open for LDSB on the upcoming tour.

[@Tunathegr8]

Ben has got it covered, though I do agree

[@DonnyDealer]

Boy, that was some mighty fine a-pickin' and a-singin!

[@user-sy9ww8kc8r]

I hope to see y'all tour together one day

[@tiesthatbind5056]

Two of the greatest pickers and songwriters to EVER do it. And I DO mean EVER!

[@tiesthatbind5056]

AND, might I add, Two of the sharpest dressed men to do it also👌🏽

[@marshallmarvin1369]

Nice

[@suicidebiscuits9781]

I would buy the shit out of an joint album

[@emona5776]

Another good'n, fellers! Reminds me of a guy here on YT called Krbii's Guitar, ought to keep a look out for him if you ever travel over seas again!

[@area22guitars57]

I wish nashville would remember what real country is! This is it!

[@morganw.2473]

That'll do. 👍

[@OlePaddy]

Still walkin a dirt lane 👍

[@SloaneWarwick]

As good as it gets

[@Vixendee_666]

Ben looks so fucking cleaned up ! Hes made it such a long way. Good for you, brother.

[@brianstearskingnothing]

My two favorite musicians good fay in country vill ohio

[@sawltydawg5973]

Ben’s pulling off the bolo tie

[@mikeymercure]

👍

[@brendonleary]

Jason Dea West and Benjamin Tod are the truth.

[@brianstearskingnothing]

Under 50 comments for these 2 is criminal

[@brianstearskingnothing]

We definitely need a new album from barefoot serrander

[@Cexlbr]

Ben’s newer musical direction is much closer to the roots that he often gives credit to as his musical inspiration- It’s a pretty big departure from his Lost Dog sound and it isn’t for everyone. But if you do some research on where he was then compared to where he is now, I think it’s a profound display of his authenticity as an artist and songwriter.

[@chuckthebull]

What was that place you did this song..looks like a cool place to play..oh and great song and performance.

[@hshsjwbshsjwjekjeje]

Ben looking chisled

[@koditingler5741]

Anyone know what type of dog that is? Rescued one and that’s the closest looking one ive seen to mine

[@maxsrandomvideos-]

Talk about raw talent gaw lee you don’t see that nowadays

[@DonnyDealer]

You do when you’re subscribed to GemsOnVHS!

[@brianstearskingnothing]

But it is only 5 hours old

[@toddboaz6463]

naide kudasai)I prefer " slash and burn then return " from this song. Slash wrists, 3rd° burns on esophagus from drano, and returned thanks to Jesus's Christmas 🎄 ♥️ 😀 That's how it starts with an earthquake... - REM

[@Deuce_Allan]

Meh

[@toddboaz6463]

VIPREBAND VITRIOLIC DRACONIC SEVERAS SNAPE SPOTSYLVANIA Spar9w SpaceX G sciamano Tecumseh Solvo et Coagula HAIAIEL

[@illminded89]

Uh…. You alright bud?

[@toddboaz6463]

@illminded89 yessir. Just tired, boss. Mostly about how ugly people are to one another. - John 10 : 3 ☕️

[@illminded89]

Just checkin

[@toddboaz6463]

@@illminded89 shakir

[@toddboaz6463]

Material, incantations, and belief for control over souls. The reason we are told using Astrology, crystals, and stuff is blasphemous. As we gain access to Unseen Zones. Do as I say not as I do shizznit. Like the Narcissistic Misogynistic no name god in Genesis. You are Magick Dawny! Have a great day!!! 👍

[@cwaz2353]

This is pretty bad

[@dannymcdermott4189]

.....No Percussion again.........Somebody light a candle....