Posts by Benjamin
The Apostle Of Uncool
A recent Rolling Stone cover story characterized Coldplay’s Chris Martin as “The Jesus of Uncool.” And while I can’t relate to the Jesus part, I can the “uncool.” See, I have a long history of uncool. I wasn’t in the “cool” crowd in high school, wasn’t in the “cool” band in college, and — while…
Read MoreAnnouncing The Authentic Records’ Unsanctioned & Uncensored Triathlon After Party & Benefit
I got it into my head a few months ago that it would be a good idea to run the Hy-Vee Triathlon, and then play a rock show afterwards. And who were my Authentic Records label mates to disagree? Little did we know that our beloved Hawkeye State would be submerged beneath one of the…
Read MoreSwimming Against The Tide
My biceps and IT bands were burning just few hundred yards into the Hudson River. ‘Maybe it’s a good thing the Hy-Vee Tri swim was cancelled after all,’ I thought. Of course, I wouldn’t wish the horrible devastation recently wrought on The Hawkeye State on my worst enemy, let alone my mush beloved home state.…
Read MoreBurger, Shot, Beer (Repeat)
Rare is the rehearsal when the band doesn’t spend as much time hanging out, drinking beers and talking for as long (or usually longer) than we do playing music. Which, at this point in my musical career, is alright by me. Thursday night, however, was one for the record books. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Chris Abad, bassist Tony…
Read MoreEthan’s Fifth Birthday Party
Tim Russert (1950-2008)
The New York Times just confirmed some sad news: Tim Russert has died of a heart attack. You’ll recall that Chris and I visited Tim in his NBC offices in November, 2006 to interview him for our documentary, “Mister Rogers & Me.” We scored the interview courtesy of my uncle, with whom Tim had worked…
Read MoreFeels Like Home
“Are you chewing gum?” Jason asked. “I might be,” Mike responded. And so it was that The Nadas began another New York City performance. Were Des Moines’ favorite sons on their home turf, the room would be spilling forth with fans. Last night, though, the founding duo, Mike Butterworth and Jason Walsmith, was performing an…
Read MoreShades Of Life Ringing Through My Open Ears
The band was recorded in Soho, overdubbed in Hell’s Kitchen, then mixed in Des Moines via Hollywood. Let me explain. That photo of me pointing to my laptop? That’s Jon Locker and me recording Patrick Riley and Cecile Forsberg’s string parts for “The Invention Of Everything Else” — despite 1,689 miles in between the four…
Read MorePreview & Download Entire New Benjamin Wagner Album Today!
My brand-new, ten-track CD, “The Invention Of Everything Else,” is now available for preview at iLike.com and exclusive download at Authentic Records Online. For one week only (June 11-18), download the entire album plus two online-only bonus tracks at Authentic Records Online. We’ll ship your signed, limited-edition CD plus autographed poster and 1″ collector’s buttons…
Read MoreThe Re-Invention Of Monday Night
If you asked me to script a better preamble for the release of “The Invention Of Everything Else,” I’d be hard pressed. I dropped the album art (created, like most things, in that three-hour zone of sleeplessness that strikes me most nights) onto Engine Room Audio’s FTP, dashed off an email (“Leaving Now!”) and raced…
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