Ben Folds facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ben Folds
Folds in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Scott Folds
Born	(1966-09-12) September 12, 1966 (age 58) Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock power pop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter record producer multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Vocals piano keyboards drums bass guitar guitar
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Attacked by Plastic Epic New West
Signature

Benjamin Scott Folds (born September 12, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is known for his unique piano-based rock music. Ben Folds first became famous as the lead singer and pianist of the band Ben Folds Five from 1993 to 2000. They also reunited from 2011 to 2013.

He has released many solo albums, with his most recent one, What Matters Most, coming out in June 2023. Ben Folds has also worked with many other artists. Since 2017, he has been the first artistic advisor for the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. He was also a judge on the TV show The Sing-Off and wrote a book about his life in music.

Early Life and Music Journey

Ben Folds was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He started playing piano at age nine. His dad, a carpenter, got a piano through a trade. Ben learned songs by Elton John and Billy Joel by listening to them on the radio.

In high school, Ben played in several bands. He played piano, bass, or drums. He went to the University of Miami on a scholarship for percussion. But he left college to focus on his piano skills. He spent months practicing scales to improve. Later, he studied at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. There, he met Robert Darnell, who became an important mentor.

Starting with Majosha

In the late 1980s, Ben Folds formed a band called Majosha. He played bass with his friends Evan Olson, Millard Powers, and Eddie Walker. They won their first gig at a Battle of the Bands in 1988. The group released some local records, including an EP called Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus in 1988. They also recorded Shut Up and Listen to Majosha in 1989. This album included songs like "Emaline" and "Video," which Ben Folds later recorded with Ben Folds Five.

After Majosha broke up, Ben played drums in other bands. He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to work on music. He played drums as a session musician for other artists. Later, he moved to Montclair, New Jersey, and even tried acting in New York City. He almost stopped pursuing music altogether.

Ben Folds Five and Solo Success

Forming Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds moved back to North Carolina and started Ben Folds Five in 1994. He formed the band with bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee. Their self-titled first album, Ben Folds Five, came out in 1995.

Their next album, Whatever and Ever Amen (1997), became very popular. It featured hit songs like "Song for the Dumped" and "Battle of Who Could Care Less." Their most successful song, "Brick", was also on this album. In 1999, they released The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, which included the song "Army".

Ben Folds' songs often mix sadness with humor. Ben Folds Five became very popular in the United Kingdom and Australia. After touring for their last album, the band decided to take a break. Each member wanted to work on different projects.

Solo Albums and Collaborations

Folds performing in Knoxville, Tennessee, 2006

After Ben Folds Five broke up, Ben released his first solo album, Rockin' the Suburbs, in 2001. He played almost all the instruments on the album, including guitar, which he didn't use much with Ben Folds Five. The music video for the song "Rockin' the Suburbs" was directed by "Weird Al" Yankovic.

In 2002, he released Ben Folds Live, which was a collection of his live solo performances. He also released several shorter albums called EPs, like Speed Graphic and Sunny 16.

His album Songs for Silverman came out in 2005. For this album, he went back to playing with a trio. It included a song called "Late," which was a tribute to singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. "Weird Al" Yankovic also sang backup on the song "Time."

In 2006, Ben Folds released Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP. This album was a collection of songs from his earlier EPs.

Way to Normal and Ben Folds Five Reunion

Ben Folds' album Way to Normal was released in 2008. It became his highest-charting album in the U.S. The album had a unique release. Ben and his band recorded "fake" versions of some songs as a joke for fans.

Ben Folds Five reunited for a special concert in 2008. They played their entire album The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner live. The money from ticket sales went to a charity called Operation Smile.

In 2009, Ben Folds released Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!. This album featured college students singing his songs without instruments. In 2010, a video he made called "Ode To Merton" became very popular online. In the video, he made up songs about people he saw on a website called Chatroulette.

Ben Folds also worked with English author Nick Hornby on the album Lonely Avenue, released in 2010. The band Ben Folds Five reunited again in 2011 and released a new album, The Sound of the Life of the Mind. They then toured together in 2012 and 2013.

Recent Projects and Orchestra Work

Folds and yMusic on stage in 2016

In 2014, Ben Folds performed a new piano concerto he wrote with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. In 2015, he released the album So There with the yMusic Ensemble. This album included eight chamber pop songs and his piano concerto.

Since May 2017, Ben Folds has been the first Artistic Advisor for the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He helps plan concerts that mix classical and modern music. He has performed with the orchestra and other artists like Regina Spektor and Sara Bareilles. In 2022, he worked with author Mo Willems to create music for a stage show based on Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs.

In June 2020, he released a song called "2020" about the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also started his own podcast, Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds, where he talks about creativity with different guests.

In April 2022, Ben Folds wrote the title song for the Peanuts special It's the Small Things, Charlie Brown. He also appeared in three episodes of the TV show The Wilds.

What Matters Most and Future Plans

Ben Folds released his latest album, What Matters Most, in June 2023. He toured the U.S. and Europe to support the album. He has said that this might be his last rock album. In 2024, he announced that he has written a Christmas album and plans to release it soon.

Other Musical Work

Working with Other Artists

Ben Folds often works with other musicians. He played piano on "Weird Al" Yankovic's song "Why Does This Always Happen to Me?" in 2003. He also produced and played on William Shatner's album Has Been in 2004. In 2008, he played piano for Japanese singer Angela Aki. He also produced Amanda Palmer's first solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, in 2008.

Movie and TV Soundtracks

Ben Folds has contributed songs to many movies and TV shows. He covered The Beatles' "Golden Slumbers" for the 2001 film I Am Sam. For the animated film Hoodwinked! (2005), he performed "Red is Blue." In 2006, he wrote three original songs for the movie Over the Hedge, including "Family of Me." He also recorded a special version of "Rockin' the Suburbs" for the film. Ben Folds also wrote the music for the 2017 Netflix original film Handsome.

Concerts and Tours

Folds in 2009

After Ben Folds Five, Ben toured with a full band to support Rockin' the Suburbs. He also toured with other artists like Ben Kweller and Ben Lee as a group called The Bens. They even recorded an EP together.

Ben Folds has performed with many symphony orchestras, including the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra. He often uses a synthesizer in his live shows. During his concerts, he sometimes does fun traditions like hitting the piano keys with his palm or throwing his stool.

In 2017, Ben Folds started "The Paper Airplane Tour." During these concerts, audience members could throw paper airplanes with song requests onto the stage. Ben would then pick requests and play them solo.

Other Interests

Ben Folds is also a talented photographer. His photos have even been featured by National Geographic. He made a brief appearance on the TV show Space Ghost Coast to Coast in 1996.

From 2009 to 2013, Ben Folds was a judge on NBC's singing competition The Sing-Off. He judged alongside other musicians like Nicole Scherzinger and Shawn Stockman. He also made cameo appearances in TV shows like Community and You're the Worst.

In July 2019, Ben Folds published his first book, a memoir called A Dream About Lightning Bugs: A Life of Music and Cheap Lessons. He also launched a podcast called Lightning Bugs in 2021, where he talks about creativity with guests.

Personal Life

Ben Folds' personal experiences have often inspired his songs. He has two children, twins Louis and Gracie, born in 1999. His song "Still Fighting It" was inspired by Louis, and "Gracie" was inspired by Gracie.

Ben Folds has lived in different places, including Nashville, Tennessee, and Santa Monica, California. He also spent some time in Sydney, Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards and Recognition

Ben Folds has received several awards for his music.

• In 2002, he received a Gold Record award for Ben Folds Five's album Whatever and Ever Amen.
• He was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
• In 2018, he received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.

Discography

Solo

• Rockin' the Suburbs (2001)
• Songs for Silverman (2005)
• Way to Normal (2008)
• What Matters Most (2023)
• Sleigher (2024)

With Ben Folds Five

• Ben Folds Five (1995)
• Whatever and Ever Amen (1997)
• The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999)
• The Sound of the Life of the Mind (2012)

With Nick Hornby

• Lonely Avenue (2010)

With yMusic

• So There (2015)

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Ben Folds para niños