College Tour continues...

The past 2 weeks has been very eventful. Let's recap:

9/5 BYU vs. OKLAHOMA in Cowboys Stadium - BYU wins 14-13. Life-changing experience.

9/7 Co-wrote with up-and-coming artist, Raquel, in Nashville.

9/12 UT vs. UCLA in Knoxville, TN - Upsetting loss. But great trip to Knoxville!

9/13 Kanye West makes a fool of himself.

9/14 Performed at Washington University (St. Louis, MO)

9/15 (1/2) Quick tour of St. Louis: Ate at Blueberry Hill, went to the top of the Arch and Hannekan's downtown.



9/15 (2/2) Performed at William Woods University (Fulton, MO)

9/16 Performed at Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN) - stayed in a creepy guest house.

COLLEGE TOUR - TRAVEL LOG

Sept. 3rd

Kansas City was very kind to us. Our set consisted of 12 songs, including a requested cover of Stevie's "Isn't She Lovely". The show was filled with memorable moments: One random occurrence was during our show I unknowingly stepped on and killed a foot-long snake in the grass. That hasn't happened in a while.

Immediately after the show Stanton, one of the students, walks up to the stage and asks a unexpected question. He said, basically whispered, "I’m not extremely religious but I’m a spiritual man, so I can have fun, so don’t think its weird that I say this, but yall are gonna get laid tonight, aren’t ya?” ... OUR FIRST NON-UTAH gig - And THAT was the first thing anyone said to us.

Later, Stanton asks if he could sing backup behind us, we couldn't figure out any song we knew well enough that he knew. So, after some coaxing from his friends he asks if WE could play a song he wrote. I replied, "Sure, what are the chords?" He responds, "I don't know. I don't play any instruments." I was surprised at his response and didn't know how this could even work. But his friends kept yelling for him to sing and so he gets up there anyway! He just starts to sing. The crowd went nuts! After I get the key - which was B for those wondering :) - I play along, just following his lead. He sang a verse and chorus and the crowd loved every bit of it! Props to Stanton! He was a great singer.

So our first performance was memorable to say the least. Next stop - South Carolina!

Yes

April 16th in Provo, Utah Looks Like This

View from my window..


I'm just glad I don't have to take finals at the same time as this disaster.

Stevie Wonder & John Mayer Love Affair?

No one would typically equate John Mayer and Stevie Wonder. Not exactly the same genre. Nor the same generation. I, however, do equate them in that they are undoubtedly my favorite artists of all time.

With that said, I have done some research over the years and have discovered that their connection is even greater than I imagined. You see, I have been lucky to find quotes in various articles/videos of them hyping each other. Check it out.


"If you don't have Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life," that is one album, above all, that you have to pick up.
- John Mayer


"I think John Mayer is a great writer. I like his honesty a lot."
- Stevie Wonder


"It's Stevie Wonder. My favorite singer. My favorite musician. My spiritual leader."
- Adam Levine

Whoa, I don't know how Adam Levine got in there. I guess he's looking to get in on the love-fest as well.


Whoops, I guess he already did. This is John and Adam making sparks fly last year at a show. Interesting. This stuff is gonna make CNN when I bring it to light.


PS Didn't realize that tattoos, wife-beaters, and a shaved head was the new style for pop rockstars (see Justin Timberlake). Guess I should contact L.A. Ink.

27 Tuxes???

I'm sure you've seen the movie 27 Dresses. About the chick that's always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Yeah, well here's my post proving that it can go both ways. Drum roll please.....

Los Angeles, CA - Casey Kirkland Wedding

Chicago, IL - Adam Bryan Wedding

San Diego, CA - Josh Brasher Wedding

Highland, UT - Jamon Jensen Wedding
*I'm playing bass on the right

Dallas, TX - Corry Pilcher Wedding
*note: that was one of four garters caught in the summer of 2008

San Diego, CA - Derek Watson Wedding

Denver, CO - Brett Denney Wedding

American Fork, UT - Eastin Travis Wedding


# of times a groomsmen: 8
# of garters caught: 5

For The Cheetahs

I saw this piano in the Nashville airport not too long ago. If I ever get married, I'm going to register at the Nashville airport.

The Studio

Nashville, TN @ Cal IV

The Control Room

Chad recording on the grand

Me in the vocal booth

Doug (guitar) laying it down

Victor Groden (Bass) and Ty Smith (Drums)

Ben Truman......the Beer??

I must be the most sober person in the world to have a beer named after them.
Check out the commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zCJI-BUuwQ

The Journeys

From this point forward, I'll be documenting the life of times of Truman with a series of extremely artistic photos (aka pictures of half-empty beverages taken from my iphone). (Hope you enjoy, Rach.)

Los Angeles, CA @ Urth Cafe


Puerto Vallarta, Mexico @ Girasol Sur


Nashville, TN @ Red Door

"I Want You There" by Truman