Benjamin Thurn

Benjamin Thurn (born January 15, 1983), stage name "Benji", was the founder and lead singer of the short lived band, The Ran Project Part Deux. Before forming the famed mid-west one hit wonder, Thurn had several other attempts at starting a MusicAL career, all of which failed. The hit song, The Yukon Grille was key to Thurn's band becoming noticed by local Minneapolis talent scout Ian Elsner, who helped the band get their first break in Janauary 2002. The "Project" as they were called, began touring at various night clubs and venues initially starting in Minneapolis, and venturing out into other areas in the mid-west. The Yukon Grille song quickly launched the previous unknown band into immediate popularity. Dissension arose amongst the band however in 2004, when rumors surfaced regarding Thurn's [...] preference, as well as his off stage theatrics and temperamental behavior. Eventually this not only alienated the rest of his band, but their fans as well. By June 2004, the band had unofficially dissolved. Several other members of the band attempted to reunite in 2006 to form the "Ran Project Part Tres", but it lacked the popularity of the original, and litigation prevented them from performing the hit "Yukon Grille" song.

Since the dissolution of his band, Thurn has made several other small entrepreneurial ventures, including the most recent, "Ben's Dance Moves" which was advertised in local theatres in Minneapolis suburbs.