I’ve followed you since your AGT audition. I was so moved when I first heard you sing that you brought me to tears. I kept track of which week you were scheduled to sing in the next round so that I wouldn’t miss it. I understand your feelings about the second round, but as we all generally are, you were overly hard on yourself. You’re a sensitive and gifted musician, and a man with a good heart. It comes through in your speaking, your face and especially in your music. Please don’t give up. You have so much to offer, and we need people like you as role models and performers. I believe you’ll go far, and I can’t wait to see/hear your next performance. You left the military for this. You believed in yourself then—keep believing now. You’ve got this, Benjamin!
You are awesome! I can’t help but think of Callum Scott who got a golden buzzer and then stumbled on his next debut on BGT. Needless to say, he’s flourished despite that and I’m sure you will too. I hope you’ll also release your version of Pink Pony as I’m sure many people like me would buy it.
I have never watched AGT before but when your audition showed up in my YouTube feed, I was blown away. It gave me such joy to see and hear you. I agree with everything that people have said here. I also thought about “Birch Trees” which I play over and over again along with your “Pink Pony Club”. I grew up in Santa Monica and I know what it is to sit at the ocean and meditate and just breathe after a loss. You are an amazing human being and so talented! I love your voice, your music and your heart. I look forward to hearing your music and following your journey! 💗
And…thank you for your service. I know what that means. I am a Navy mom. ⚓️
I have all your tracks on Spotify in a mix. Can’t wait to listen to your new music. After you performed “Never gonna”, I said quietly to the tv, “you should have performed Birch Trees” - that song, damn, it is so good. Anyway, best of luck, keep working, creating - you have lots of fans, waiting to see and listen to what you do next!
You are a great singer/songwriter, but I think your future is as a composer. Maybe a vocalist, but but definitely a composer. I was surprised you didn't sing "Birch Trees" on AGT. Wow. What a powerful story and image.
I think we all want to be heard. I was a pianist/composer as a child and then developed art study for professional artists and now I am producing and publishing sports and media on board public transit for the Olympics. They are definitely hearing me now.
I don't know if you're gay. After Pink Pony Club I assumed so, but found a picture of you and your "girlfriend" online. If it's online it must be true!
Let's go back to assuming you're gay, and if not.......well, dammit, you should be.
I'm gay. 62 years old. Was the first person out in the 80s in student residence ("Is that the fag?") and at multiple employers. Went through some shit.
I first saw AGT's Pink Pony Club about 3 months ago and I cried. Never - and I'm pretty certain that's true - has someone captured a full-bore, all-joy, relently rebellious, you-can-no-longer-hurt-me manifesto like that audition. I watched it half a dozen times and daily for quite a while.
We can all read history; we can read about the horrors people faced throughout time and be repelled, but it's impossible to etch those experiences on our souls (and then live with that) if we didn't have those experiences. Gay and lesbian people born in the 2000s - for the most part - can't share what we went through in the 1900s....even the 1980s.
You therefore don't know how much wound repair you've done around the world. We're carved up inside, and the older we are the deeper the cuts. And there are kids - teenagers and those in their 20s - who still live that horror of a life, and will have their perception of reality changed when they find your audition on YouTube. Everything we've dreamed about and fought for is there in 2 minutes and 10 seconds. It says we made it. And if we're not currently living the life you're singing about, it is out there, it is real, and we can find it.
Another assumption: Pink Pony Club and how it was reworked were your idea. You have great instincts; go with your gut. I'm sure you're smart enough to respect the ideas and opinions of others for "consideration" but make your own choices.....no matter how famous or respected the source of suggestions. You know what stirs your soul. Nobody else can possibly know that.
I hope you do pick yourself up and keep going. Birch Trees is brilliant, and your performance in the quarter finals......yeah, I get why you're upset. But the showmanship, the light, was still there, unmistakably. I believe in 40 years it will be the slightest of bumps in the road you will have travelled.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You can’t be perfect every time and you can’t learn without failing. But I know that you are not a failure and you didn’t fail. I hope to see you performing someday in the future. I’m sure that you’ll have plenty of opportunities. I’m still rooting for you. Jeff
Please do more like „Birch Trees“. That’s you expressing yourself somewhere beyond strategic song-choices-for-votes - you are making your art! And I for one am sold on that art 😊
Ben, I am so honest about this, I have felt such a mama pride watching you bloom and grow. Such bravery and strength and honesty went into writing this and I think it is all apart of your journey. You are incredibly talented, and in so many ways. I think this is just one chapter of a long and brilliant story that is still unfolding. Much love always -Elisa
I get it. Mixed emotions, feeling like you let others down (you didn't), the energy and work it took to get you here (amazing) and the fact that you didn't make it to the next round (which, BTW, is no indication of talent or future success -- just ask Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, etc.) is all overwhelming. It is of no matter to us if you win AGT or not, we see your talent, strength, and humanity and are here for you. Keep at it baby, you are going places. Not the route you wanted but that's ok, it'll show itself.
I love the honesty and authenticity in your essay. Watching you perform is a joy and I, like other commenters above, love "Birch Trees." Excited to see what you create next!
Hello Benjamin✨ I just discovered you and must reach out to congratulate you on your stratospheric talent. I’ve been a voice teacher for almost 40 years and I know more than the pompous silly ‘judges’ on agt. Your charisma, oceanic heart, beautiful voice, artistic gifts and compelling backstory are aligning towards important service to our world. And Birch Trees is exquisite, beautiful and healing. Congratulations!
I am deeply moved by your music and relate so much to aspects of your journey. Thank you for sharing your voice with us as a writer and a singer. You are now one of my favorite artists! Can’t wait for what’s next!
I’m such a big fan of yours! Would love to see you post a video of your rendition of Please, Please, Please.
I’ve followed you since your AGT audition. I was so moved when I first heard you sing that you brought me to tears. I kept track of which week you were scheduled to sing in the next round so that I wouldn’t miss it. I understand your feelings about the second round, but as we all generally are, you were overly hard on yourself. You’re a sensitive and gifted musician, and a man with a good heart. It comes through in your speaking, your face and especially in your music. Please don’t give up. You have so much to offer, and we need people like you as role models and performers. I believe you’ll go far, and I can’t wait to see/hear your next performance. You left the military for this. You believed in yourself then—keep believing now. You’ve got this, Benjamin!
You are awesome! I can’t help but think of Callum Scott who got a golden buzzer and then stumbled on his next debut on BGT. Needless to say, he’s flourished despite that and I’m sure you will too. I hope you’ll also release your version of Pink Pony as I’m sure many people like me would buy it.
That is exactly what we thought! Callum Scott too!
I have never watched AGT before but when your audition showed up in my YouTube feed, I was blown away. It gave me such joy to see and hear you. I agree with everything that people have said here. I also thought about “Birch Trees” which I play over and over again along with your “Pink Pony Club”. I grew up in Santa Monica and I know what it is to sit at the ocean and meditate and just breathe after a loss. You are an amazing human being and so talented! I love your voice, your music and your heart. I look forward to hearing your music and following your journey! 💗
And…thank you for your service. I know what that means. I am a Navy mom. ⚓️
I have all your tracks on Spotify in a mix. Can’t wait to listen to your new music. After you performed “Never gonna”, I said quietly to the tv, “you should have performed Birch Trees” - that song, damn, it is so good. Anyway, best of luck, keep working, creating - you have lots of fans, waiting to see and listen to what you do next!
I love your voice and energy. And wow!….you can play piano so well. Don’t give up. People know you now….you can still do it!
You are a great singer/songwriter, but I think your future is as a composer. Maybe a vocalist, but but definitely a composer. I was surprised you didn't sing "Birch Trees" on AGT. Wow. What a powerful story and image.
I think we all want to be heard. I was a pianist/composer as a child and then developed art study for professional artists and now I am producing and publishing sports and media on board public transit for the Olympics. They are definitely hearing me now.
Today is today. You are just starting out...
Benjamin,
I don't know if you're gay. After Pink Pony Club I assumed so, but found a picture of you and your "girlfriend" online. If it's online it must be true!
Let's go back to assuming you're gay, and if not.......well, dammit, you should be.
I'm gay. 62 years old. Was the first person out in the 80s in student residence ("Is that the fag?") and at multiple employers. Went through some shit.
I first saw AGT's Pink Pony Club about 3 months ago and I cried. Never - and I'm pretty certain that's true - has someone captured a full-bore, all-joy, relently rebellious, you-can-no-longer-hurt-me manifesto like that audition. I watched it half a dozen times and daily for quite a while.
We can all read history; we can read about the horrors people faced throughout time and be repelled, but it's impossible to etch those experiences on our souls (and then live with that) if we didn't have those experiences. Gay and lesbian people born in the 2000s - for the most part - can't share what we went through in the 1900s....even the 1980s.
You therefore don't know how much wound repair you've done around the world. We're carved up inside, and the older we are the deeper the cuts. And there are kids - teenagers and those in their 20s - who still live that horror of a life, and will have their perception of reality changed when they find your audition on YouTube. Everything we've dreamed about and fought for is there in 2 minutes and 10 seconds. It says we made it. And if we're not currently living the life you're singing about, it is out there, it is real, and we can find it.
Another assumption: Pink Pony Club and how it was reworked were your idea. You have great instincts; go with your gut. I'm sure you're smart enough to respect the ideas and opinions of others for "consideration" but make your own choices.....no matter how famous or respected the source of suggestions. You know what stirs your soul. Nobody else can possibly know that.
I hope you do pick yourself up and keep going. Birch Trees is brilliant, and your performance in the quarter finals......yeah, I get why you're upset. But the showmanship, the light, was still there, unmistakably. I believe in 40 years it will be the slightest of bumps in the road you will have travelled.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You can’t be perfect every time and you can’t learn without failing. But I know that you are not a failure and you didn’t fail. I hope to see you performing someday in the future. I’m sure that you’ll have plenty of opportunities. I’m still rooting for you. Jeff
Please do more like „Birch Trees“. That’s you expressing yourself somewhere beyond strategic song-choices-for-votes - you are making your art! And I for one am sold on that art 😊
Ben, I am so honest about this, I have felt such a mama pride watching you bloom and grow. Such bravery and strength and honesty went into writing this and I think it is all apart of your journey. You are incredibly talented, and in so many ways. I think this is just one chapter of a long and brilliant story that is still unfolding. Much love always -Elisa
I get it. Mixed emotions, feeling like you let others down (you didn't), the energy and work it took to get you here (amazing) and the fact that you didn't make it to the next round (which, BTW, is no indication of talent or future success -- just ask Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, etc.) is all overwhelming. It is of no matter to us if you win AGT or not, we see your talent, strength, and humanity and are here for you. Keep at it baby, you are going places. Not the route you wanted but that's ok, it'll show itself.
I love the honesty and authenticity in your essay. Watching you perform is a joy and I, like other commenters above, love "Birch Trees." Excited to see what you create next!
Hello Benjamin✨ I just discovered you and must reach out to congratulate you on your stratospheric talent. I’ve been a voice teacher for almost 40 years and I know more than the pompous silly ‘judges’ on agt. Your charisma, oceanic heart, beautiful voice, artistic gifts and compelling backstory are aligning towards important service to our world. And Birch Trees is exquisite, beautiful and healing. Congratulations!
Late to the game here! Onward and upward…you’ve got what it takes so you’ll get there eventually. Guaranteed! Go Vols! ;)
I am deeply moved by your music and relate so much to aspects of your journey. Thank you for sharing your voice with us as a writer and a singer. You are now one of my favorite artists! Can’t wait for what’s next!
Oh yeah... can I just say, you are phenomenal. You're a total star. Stop waiting.