Meet Benny Shredz, Kelowna's teenaged guitar prodigy

A video of a young guitarist making the rounds online found it’s way to Ryan and Sarah, on 104.7 The LIZARD. It showed young Benny tearing it up on stage, shredding a rendition of a classical piece.

Blown away by his talents and wanting to know more, Benny was invited on the morning show to chat all this metal.

Below is the conversation with Benny. The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Ryan: Benny, how old are you, do you go to school here in Kelowna?

I’m 12 years old, and I do go to school here in Kelowna, at Aberdeen Hall.

Ryan: I've had a whole bunch of people sending me this video of you shredding some Beethoven, I think it was. Tell me about this video; was that at school?

It was actually at like a theater downtown. And like it was like an entire, like, school concert thing, and it was amazing.

Ryan: You totally stole the show, obviously.

Haha, yeah.

Ryan: Who are some of your guitar heroes?

So firstly, it's Tim Henson from Polyphia because I love his math metal songs and his need for speed. And secondly is Cole Rolland, he's like a famous Canadian YouTuber that does a lot of classical metal covers,

and I just love all of his songs. And thirdly would be Kirk Hammett because he's actually like the first rock star I've ever met. And fun fact, he gave me this signed guitar.

Ryan: Okay. Back it up, back it up, back it up. What are you talking about? How did you get this guitar?

So, one day I won a competition. And the prize for our competition was a private meet and greet with Kirk Hammett. And when I got there, he actually gave me this guitar and signed it.

Ryan: That is an amazing story. Oh, I am dripping with jealousy.

Sarah: Are you in a band?

Oh, no, but I really want to be in a band.

Ryan: Everybody's going to want a piece as soon as they hear you play man. What is your big dream? Where do you want to take this?

So I want to go to Berklee School of Music and become a rockstar and play and play in front of, like, huge crowds.

Ryan: That is an incredible goal.