Ben Folds did WHAT!?
Context: Ben Folds x the OKC Philharmonic live at the OKC Civic Center…
dum dum da da da dum da dum CLAP …
Ben Folds starts playing the piano and the audience claps automatically — such automaticity you’d think everyone knew Annie Waits by heart.
But as my then boyfriend (now husband) and I were in the balcony and he was on stage, he could hear what I couldn’t — that the audience needed some encouragement.
So there he went, standing in the middle of the stage, backed by the entire philharmonic orchestra, teaching the audience when to clap correctly for his song.
And y’all — watching this man play the piano beautifully, then teach the audience when to clap effortlessly wasn’t even the coolest part of the concert.
The coolest part happened near the end when everything had already been magical. I mean seriously — what’s not to love listening to Ben Folds backed by an outstanding orchestra?
I couldn’t believe what was happening. I leaned over to my then boyfriend, whispering what is going on? Do most concerts do this?
🎶🎶🎶Hi, it’s me very experienced with concerts — read exhibit A here…
My ridiculously handsome/music guru boyfriend (basically everything I know and love about music has either come from listening with him or listening to Johnny Cougar/The Police/The Eagles and yacht rock with my dad) quickly explained to me that no this doesn’t always happen, but he has heard that Ben Folds sometimes did this at concerts. And shh — we have to listen.
Y’all.
HE IMPROV-ED A SONG.
On the fly he wrote a song, taught it to the orchestra, taught singing parts and clapping parts to the audience, and within the course of about 10 minutes, we sang it. Everyone. Altogether.
It was mesmerizing. Listening to the sounds blend together harmoniously. And what was really mesmerizing? Watching Ben Folds (yep it feels like a first and last name kind of day) conduct the whole thing.
So — why did I think it was imperative I share this story today?
Two reasons.
ONE —
If you have children — young ones especially, you know the love-hate relationship with loud noises — music, fireworks, that Chatterbox song on the second Bluey soundtrack that does not feel anywhere near as aligned and lovely as the first soundtrack was —
So TBH — one day I realized that I don’t listen to music anymore. I listen to my children’s music — I know the latest Bluey beat that drops, can recite almost all my kids’ memory work (hey, I’m learning about Richard the lion-hearted too!) and can sing many other songs my kids love, but somewhere along the way I’d stopped listening to music.
I’d stopped educating my kids on what good music was.
And real talk: I never really started.
So we’ve started listening to excellent music. Not just kid-centered music. Not just hymns. Beautiful, magical, classical, folksy, rock — all of it.
And they love it so far — most of the time — so I’ll keep you posted on how it goes!
And TWO —
Ben Folds could’ve FAILED. Even with a talented orchestra behind him.
His impromptu song could’ve bombed hard because humans always have the potential to fail.
That’s what made listening to, watching, and experiencing this concert so exciting.
And coincidentally— I think that’s one of the most exciting things about art.
🤍🤍🤍Especially LIVE painting.
As the good Ms. Frizzle would say, “Take chances. Get messy. Make Mistakes.” Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from taking the next right step.
Keep learning. My husband is always introducing me to new music, and has had a huge part in what I chose to listen to now. See an example playlist here. Some songs are winners, and some are not. But all are learning experiences.
Do what you love. We only have this one precious life — do what you are passionate about.
And for me? That’s having the freedom to do what I want with my time. That means homeschooling my kids, planning dream vacation field trips, painting beautiful artwork I love so much I have a hard time putting it up for sale, and painting love stories live, with love in every brushstroke.
Now, since I’m writing this as I’m nursing my baby on his 6 month birthday, it’s late (who am I — writing ahead of time??) I’m praying my kids will go to sleep soon so that I can too.
I’m nothing if not a stickler for rest.
Last thing — my upcoming collection releases JULY 20 with The Scouted Studio! Get on the list here so you don’t miss that drop!
And I have a sale brewing — it’s a surprise sale so be sure to subscribe here and get in my email list or your walls will be sad.⤵️
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5e88d0b1b68c420026b0f9cf
Til next time—
Xoxo,
Courtney