Virtuoso guitarist Jim Bennion joined Leatherat in January 2009 having played in numerous local and national bands. Bands such as Culture Club, an ACDC Tribute band that toured around the country, the illustrious Freeway Jam, Muppet, Clarion and many others.

Jim is a seasoned pro in the folk scene, having played not once, but three times on the main stage at Fairport Cropredy Convention and has played on more albums than you can shake a stick at.

Jim plays Gibson Les Paul and Fender stratocaster guitars and uses Marshall amplification, and first featured on the album Short Time On Earch, released in the summer of 2009.