Concert Review: Ben Folds with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus, OH (4/9/16)

From what I had heard, Ben Folds playing with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra would be a special experience. Mainly that was coming from my wife, who is a fan of both. I like Ben Folds, both as a singer/songwriter and a general personality, finding him to be witty and engaging, so I was on board with this unique show.

To say it was unlike anything I’ve experienced or could have expected is an understatement. I mean, I know that bands jam, I didn’t know Folds would get the CSO to jam and improvise a song live on stage. That was something. Getting the audience to provide four-part harmonies? Sure, why not. It was fun, at times goofy, but also insanely musical and gave me an even better appreciation for what insane talent was up on that stage.

I'm A Guest! Hear Me On the Vinyl Emergency Podcast

Jim Hanke, who has guested on the Dig Me Out Podcast, recently had me on his podcast Vinyl Emergency to discuss my blog MusicReissuesWeNeed and talk all things vinyl. It was a fun chat, and Jim has a great variety of guests, so after you check out this episode, make sure to visit his archive of past shows.

New Book SMALL STORIES Now Available

The new book, now available on Amazon.com for your ordering pleasure:

Amazon Paperback

Amazon Kindle

If you enjoy the book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon or at Goodreads.

Big thanks to DX Ferris and Coni Minneci (my mom, she legally had to) for contributing to this book with their illustrations.

If this seems to have come out of nowhere, there is a reason. I had written a bunch of short true stories from throughout my life and shared them on my website, collected as "Yes, That Really Happened." That was going to be the title of the book for awhile, but at the last minute decided on a name change. So, the entire book was actually written over several years, bit by bit. Once I realized there was a good collection of short stories, I reached out to DX to get him involved, as I am a fan of his Suburban Metal Dad cartoons and wanted that same style for the book. He agreed, and gave me a bunch of really fun illustrations. I then reached out to my mom, because I wanted different styles, and she agreed as well. Because, you know, she's my mom.

After that, I found some old photos, and the whole project came together very quickly. It's a fun little collection, full of embarrassing, funny and occasionally poignant tales from throughout my life. There are more that didn't make this edition, so maybe there will be an Even More Small Stories someday.

In the meantime, enjoy!