Posts by Benjamin
On Two Eternities
Time is a funny thing. This afternoon, Abbi and pointed the rental car east on Madaket Road towards town for all our favorite Nantucket things (Cape Cod Salt & Vinegar Chips, Whale’s Tale Pale Ale, Bartlett Farm’s Blueberry Pie). Nearing our turn near the old cemetery on on Milk Road, I said to her, “I…
Read More“Mister Rogers & Me” Needs Your Help
I often wonder whether Chris and I should have had a business plan or, heck, any plan before diving into the making of our independent documentary, “Mister Rogers & Me,” back in June 2006. Especially now, day one of a month-long fundraising campaign to finish the film. We’ve been making slow but steady progress for…
Read MoreA State Fair Romance
By my count, I performed six sets in 24 hours of Iowa State Fair this weekend, each more rock ‘n roll than the one prior. That said, I’ve never been one for arithmetic. And anyway, my abilities may not be the best; I am operating on one hour of sleep. And yes, a few beers…
Read MoreIowa State Fair (Summer 2009)
When I Was Young And Full OF Grace
Chris and I are jammed into a stifling-hot yellow cab locked in gridlock somewhere on Nineth Avenue. Worse, I’m locked in gridlock with my usual pre-show jitters. “I’ve never felt less prepared,” I told him. “There’s too much going on, too many variables. We barely rehearsed, for God’s sake.” “You always say that,” he says.…
Read MoreSummer Teeth
It was hot this morning. Africa hot. Panama hot. Walk twenty blocks to work then change your shirt hot. Walk on whichever side of the street is in shadows hot. All of which is worse with an acoustic guitar is slung over your shoulder. My freshly-repaired Martin DXE15 was slung over my shoulder this morning…
Read MoreHow I Lost My Wedding Ring At Rockaway Beach (And Still Had A Good Time)
I downed a quart of Gatorade, peeled off my sweaty running clothes, took a long, hot shower, and joined the revelry. It was barely noon but already Abbi, Chris, Meg, Renee and Marlyn were getting their party on. And why not? The sun was breaking through the clouds, and the Atlantic Ocean was just a…
Read MoreRockaway Beach Or Bust
I’ve lived in New York City for nearly fifteen years, but have only recently begun to gain some sense of its true cultural and geographical diversity. Once again, I spent Sunday morning running the city. Last week, my goal was Hell’s Kitchen to Coney Island. This week, it was Rockaway Beach or bust. Our friends,…
Read MoreCorner Office Concert Series, Vol. I
I’m rarely one to turn down an opportunity to perform, no matter how odd the venue. I’ve played basements, attics, porches, open fields, backyards, street corners, art galleries, cafeterias, gymnasiums, and worse. If you wanna’ hear, odds are I’ll give ya’ something to listen to. So when my colleague, MTV 360 EVP Ross Martin, emailed…
Read MoreHalfway Between The Moon & Me
Lately, it seems like I go weeks without picking up my guitar. Not so these days. On Thursday night at nine o’clock, Chris Abad, Tony Maceli, Ryan Vaughn and I return to Rockwood Music Hall to perform our first prime-time, full-band, full-on rock show in months. Thursday’s set has at least one major surprise (hint:…
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