An Encounter With Ben Folds

By Willa Derrickson
Photos by Jared Reynolds

When you’re just beginning to know someone, a common question you may hear is, “What kind of music are you into?” I personally hate this question! I appreciate several different genres of music so I never know where to begin. So, I just list the few artists/bands that I’ve enjoyed over my listening years. One album that I was introduced to at the age of 13, when I first began making music a priority in my life, was Whatever and Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five. I remember my older sister blasting this album in her room along with other albums such as Fleming and John’s Delusions of Grandeur and Fiona Apple’s Tidal… It was music that most kids my age hadn’t heard yet and that was exciting to me. I felt cool for knowing music that others did not. I’m such a snob.
At the age of 13, I thought Ben Folds track “Song for the Dumped,” was amazing. It was so sarcastic and angry in a cute way…it was sad, yet humorous. The fact that he calls the ex-girlfriend “a bitch” in the song and demands his black t-shirt back was awesome, to a 13 year old’s ears; Especially being accompanied by a piano and not your typical mid-90’s grunge guitar sound. I then lost track of this album and artist and dedicated my listening to the Beatles and classic rock and some embarrassing bands that I don’t feel comfortable mentioning at the moment.
When I was 18, the year was 2001, and I had a few years of work behind me. With my newfound income, I began donating a large sum of my paycheck to record stores. When I was approved for a Best Buy card, I knew I’d get in trouble. I had moved on from the Beatles and classic rock sounds, to bands from my personal favorite decade of music--the 1990’s--Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters…. Then on to my dear Veruca Salt, then Weezer and Ozma. These bands pretty much rocked my cd player through high school. Then Nashville’s 102.9FM began playing their 90’s music on certain day. One day as I was driving and surprisingly enough, listening to the radio and not Weezer’s Pinkerton album, I heard “Song for the Dumped” begin. It had been years since I heard that song. So, I went to the store the next day and stocked up on all the Ben Folds I’d neglected over the years. And it was amazing. I was happy. And I loved it.
Since I received my driver’s license, I have always been the designated driver. More than anything, just so I can listen to my music. Driving time is also my music listening time. I liked to turn my music up really loud so everyone could hear only my music and no conversation could take place. Besides, when we got to our destination, I would be lacking of conversation topics so they better save whatever they got for later unless they enjoy silence. Ben Folds was a favorite of mine to share with passengers because I knew the majority of my friends didn’t listen to him. I remember having to share Songs for the Dumped with anyone that had not heard it, eager to get their opinion on it, and knowing they had to love it and if they didn’t, something was definitely wrong with them. I shared it with my boyfriend when I was 18 and two of his friends. His friends loved it--the boyfriend, not so much. He said he didn’t like that song. It was mean and vulgar. I said, “fuck you!” and broke up with him. Well, not really, but I should have. I mean, I did eventually, but not then… anyways….
Then, Rockin’ the Suburbs took over. Ben Folds first solo album. Every album that Mr. Folds gives to us is so perfectly arranged by song. I love every first track of every Ben Folds album. To name a few…”One Angry Dwarf,” “Annie Waits,” “Bastard” (perfection, if you ask me)… these songs set you in the mood for whatever else is to come. Songs for Silverman… ingenious.
One word that I’ve used to describe Ben Folds is, consistent. He is consistently good… always better…never worse. Where many artists just give up when they reached a certain point and only give us the bare minimal, Folds has only improved his writing and technique from album to album. I dabble in the ways of many instruments. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of writing my own music but am by no means confident in my talent….Or “talent”. But, Folds has been my greatest influence in my attempts to write. The first time I saw him perform live was when he was touring with Tori Amos back in 2003. One thing I remembered him saying was that when he writes songs, he just takes stories from his life or from the life of someone he knows and makes it rhyme. Maybe my stories just aren’t that good… or I can rhyme for shit… but, I took that as advice and everytime I try to write, that’s what I think of. He is a music icon in my book and someone I always wanted to meet. Although I knew I’d never know what to say to him if I did which proved true when I did eventually meet him… but, we’ll get to that later.
This past summer, Ben Folds with his new band, bass player Jared Reynolds and drummer Lindsay Jamieson, opened for Weezer on their tour to promote their newest release, and personal disappointment, Make Believe. As I mentioned in my review of this show and to anyone who asked, Ben Folds and co. stole this show. They fucking rocked. A comment my friend Stephanie made at this show was that Ben Folds was every emo…or was it indie… well, whichever Steph is… girl’s dream guy. He is pretty huggable. The events that took place later that week were unexpected but exciting for someone of my sort.
While I was attending a show by Nashville based band, De Novo Dahl, I noticed a familiar face of someone that I didn’t know… but I did, because I recognized him. It was Folds’ bassist, Jared Reynolds. I didn’t know what to think. I never thought I’d get to meet even a member of Ben Folds band. Being the dork that I am, I did walk up to him a few cocktails into the night and assuming no one else had recognized him and not wanting to cause a scene, I simply said, “do you play bass?” he said, “yeah, I do” and I said, “did you play a show Thursday night?” and he said, “yeah! I did” and I said, “you guys were fucking awesome”. We chatted a bit more and then I came up with the bright idea of possibly doing an interview with him for Rib Magazine. We exchanged email and I don’t have an interview, only a story. I just have my story and my experience over the past four months of occasional conversation with Mr. Reynolds and my eventual meeting with Mr. Folds. It turns out that the night of my meeting Jared, I was not the only one who noticed him but I was just about the only person who did not know him. Yeah, I’m still a dork. He’s lived in Nashville for quite some time and is one of the friendliest individuals you could ever meet. He’s just a pleasant, easy-going guy.
I began playing with a band in Nashville shortly after all of this took place. I come to find out that the drummer of my band, Josh, knows Jared rather well and our lead guitarist, Caldwell, happens to know him too. When the Ben Folds headlining tour began and they announced the Nashville date at the Ryman, I got a bit too excited. This would be my fourth time to see him live and second time to see him headline. I wanted backstage to this show like no other. I had no idea how hard it would be to achieve that! I didn’t even get a negative on getting backstage because we had difficulty just finding the right contact people. It was agitating to me…very much. I have wanted to write this story since I met Jared and I wanted as much info as I could get and it was becoming complicated. Then, the Ryman show sold out. I didn’t cry… I didn’t whine… I just bought a ticket to the next closest venue he’d be hitting up--The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. I knew this show would be memorable, based on the venue alone. I didn’t expect more than that. I inform Jared of my plans to be in Atlanta and tell him I’d be looking for him after the show by the stage door to say hi. Well…..
November 13, arrives. This is the night of the Ryman show. We thankfully had band practice, otherwise I would have been distracted with thoughts of the show taking place at the Ryman, or I would have spent money I didn’t need to be spending on a scalper. After practice, Josh, Caldwell, and I decided to go grab an alcoholic beverage. The moment we walk up to our drinking location, Jared and Lindsay come walking up. They had just finished their sold out show at the Ryman Auditorium. We visited with them and their posse for a bit and Josh and Caldwell, because, they are my “daddies,” decided they were going to take care of me and try to get me backstage to the show in Atlanta. I just thought they talked too much, but Jared walked over and they said to him, “Jared, you’re going to take care of our Willa in Atlanta, aren’t you?” and he did. Jared introduced me to their road manager, Joe, arrangements were made, and I was going to get to go backstage. I was stoked. I wont lie, but also kind of expecting it to not happen. That kind of stuff doesn’t happen to me. Well, it happened, and all I can say is, Josh and Caldwell are my fucking daddies.
I arrived in Atlanta around 8:30 p.m. I forgot about the time change so I missed the opening act, The Fray. But, I arrived in time to catch a full 2 hours or so set from Ben Folds. It was an amazing show--incredible.
Within the first half hour, Folds broke a string on his piano. I don’t think that happens often. Piano strings are tough. About 45 minutes into the show, Ben dismissed Jared and Lindsay and took over the stage solo for 30 minutes or so. Then, Jared and Lindsay returned and things got crazy again. “Zak and Sara” off of Rockin’ the Suburbs was a big hit among the crowd, as was “Trusted” off of Songs for Silverman.
I saw all kinds of reactions to this performance. There were the crazed fans that were feeling it through their air piano playing, the kids just having a good time and bouncing to the songs while clapping and singing along, the couples that were so happy that they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other due to the mood set by the band, and then the appreciators who just sat and soaked in the beautiful sound being produced in the Tabernacle that November eve. It was an unforgettable show and everyone enjoyed every bit of it. Then the show was ending and I was getting excited with thoughts of what was to come for myself.
The crowd began clearing out as the lights came on and the stage was being broken down. I waited patiently, yet impatiently by the door left of the stage. Eventually, Joe came to meet the group of us that were granted access backstage. We follow Joe back into the Tabernacle…down a hallway…up stairs…around a corner…and into a room where he tells us to wait.
I sit at a table by myself, trying to look cool because, isn’t that what I always do? All of a sudden, Ben Folds walks into the room. It was cool, that’s all I can say. He talks to the people he actually knows and I remain silent, hoping he doesn’t notice me look at him on occasion. After a bit more time Joe announces that it’s time for everyone to leave but he let me stay. People leave and Ben is still in the room… the same room as me. Joe says, “Ben, this is Willa, she’s friends with Jared.” I was formally introduced to Ben and shook his hand. And I had nothing to say. I was jazzed to have met someone that meant a great deal to me. Joe then tells me that Jared’s in the next room so I go in there and we converse briefly, until Joe says it’s time to go. Here’s where the really dorky side of me comes out. Joe’s walking us out and then I realize… he’s not walking all of us out. It’s just Ben and me. I assume Joe was going to direct me back through the auditorium. He doesn’t. He guides us both out of the stage door to find the group of fans who have been waiting in the cold and rain to catch one more glimpse of Ben Folds and possibly receive a handshake and possibly an autograph. I walked out the stage door with Ben Folds and they saw me, Willa Derrickson, next to him. They were taking pictures and… well… I felt like a rockstar.
I felt special. And you know what, I am. I met one of the greatest songwriters of my generation and one of my biggest inspirations. There’s not much more I could ask for.

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