Modesto pastor to sing before televised Shamrock-'Kimbo Slice' MMA fight

As an ordained minister, Modesto native Simone Benoit is used to inspiring people.

She just isn’t used to inspiring them right before they go and try to beat the living daylights out of another person. The associate pastor at Modesto’s Soul Harvest Worship Center will sing the walk-out song for Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ken Shamrock before his televised bout with fellow MMA superstar Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson Friday.

“It’s kind of a crazy story. Really, the whole thing is so random,” said Benoit, who was ordained five years ago. “But I am excited. I’m looking to be a positive influence. I am looking to be a change, a refreshing voice in this arena.”

While the pairing of the 27-year-old Benoit and the 51-year-old Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer might seem odd on its surface, its roots go back to family and faith.

Shamrock’s mother lives in Modesto attends and works at Soul Harvest, which was founded by Benoit’s mother and stepfather eight years ago. Benoit met him through his visits to Modesto, which is also where he also learned of her singing talents. Benoit has never sung professionally, but has performed worship at her church and various speaking engagements over the years. Friends and family had always encouraged her to pursue singing.

About a year ago Benoit got more serious about the idea. She toured a renowned recording studio in Redding, which had previously worked with other prominent Christian artists including Michael W. Smith and Kari Jobe. But the $30,000 price tag to produce a record seemed impossible. So late last year she decided to reach out to friends and followers on her social media channels, and the money started rolling in. In less than four months she had raised the funds needed and in May she began recording her first album.

Benoit’s original music is Christian Contemporary, with an alternative feel. She compares her sound to Florence and the Machine and Lana Del Rey. The album, “Journey of Pursuit,” will be released independently this fall. While she was recording, Shamrock reached out to her asking if she might have a song that would work for his walk-out for his big fight against Kimbo.

She thought her first single, “Risk,” might just fit the bill. The song, which comes out on iTunes Friday, is about standing for something larger and risking oneself for love.

“For Kenny it rang true for him because coming back to fight at this age – the risk and everything. He said, ‘It’s perfect because I feel there’s something greater for me now that I’m 51.’ He is willing to risk it all for love of sport, family and God,” she said. “He wanted that positive message. It’s a very angry world, he wanted something different.”

Benoit flew out to St. Louis with family and Shamrock’s mother for the fight earlier this week. She will perform the song as the fighter comes out to the ring on the Spike TV telecast Friday night. She said she knows it is unusual for the artist to perform walk-out songs live. She doesn’t know how much of her performance will be broadcast, but hopes the message comes through regardless.

“My music us all about my journey, my journey with God,” Benoit said. “I want to make God proud and my family proud and be a light. That’s what I want to do.”

This story was originally published June 18, 2015 at 2:04 PM with the headline "Modesto pastor to sing before televised Shamrock-'Kimbo Slice' MMA fight."