Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin.
Hi Benjamin, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up I studied classical music where I gained an appreciation for talented musicians and great arrangements/melodies. I’ve also loved the guitar from a young age, which influenced my musical tastes. One day when I was listening to the radio, I heard Lonestar’s “Amazed” and that was the first country song that connected with me(lyrically, the songwriting, arrangements, etc). Artists like Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill shaped my early tastes in the genre. While the country world has always been massive in its own way, over the past 5-10 years I’ve seen the genre become even more widespread and garner fans from all kinds of backgrounds. I was inspired to start my blog “TheBenjiChord” to share my passion for the genre and industry with all fans around the country/world. What started out as me sharing a song I was excited about has slowly morphed into me connecting with artists and fans in the industry; forging relationships that I never thought would be possible. I connected with the team at “Country Central”; another country news site, and I was able to embrace my passion for writing. Our collaborations have enabled us to cover new and established artists; building a one-stop shop for country music news and in-depth analysis for artists and songwriters alike. It’s a very exciting time to be a country music fan!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never easy creating a brand that you feel confident putting your “face” on. I acknowledge that while there are many black country fans, we’re not always seen as the expected audience. I’ve connected with people from different walks of life through music and attending concerts, so I’ve always been passionate in the idea that music can help transcend the tough issues that we all face in society and life. It’s been inspiring talking with fans and artists and hearing how excited they are about my work and opinions on the country music industry. As a result, I’m excited to provide my own unique perspective on the best new releases in the genre.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have a background in country radio with concert promotions and social media management. Learning what goes into setting up some of the biggest events in the genre was enlightening and made me love the country music world even more. I work in the tech industry, where connecting with experts on a human level is a key focus. In a funny way, my diverse background has uniquely prepared me to connect with this amazing country music audience. I’m inspired every day to serve a resource to country music fans all around the world.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe putting myself and my brand out there on social media is a risk in and of itself. Social media is a beautiful tool, but it’s easy to get stuck on the meaningless parts of it at times. I’m grateful that my risks have paid off, as connecting with artists and fans from all walks of life has been incredibly fulfilling for me. I’ve learned from people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise while also sharing my experiences. If you aren’t challenging yourself on daily basis, getting out of your comfort zone, and connecting with others; then you’ll never see true growth or results. The country music community is in an exciting chapter and I’m happy to play a small role in this amazing musical family!
Contact Info:
- Email: thebenjichord@gmail.com
- Instagram: TheBenjiChord
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBenjiChord
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebenjichord
