Ben Holst

HAPPY 16th bday baby @chezz1es !! My hero baby cousin. She doesn’t wear this on her sleeve but this little “kid” is a two time leukemia survivor. She is someone I called for counsel when I had no idea how to give my Dad any hope or comfort when he himself was locked up in Cancer jail. I’ll never forget feeling helpless and putting my faith in a 12 year old for guidance and wisdom and she stepped right up to that plate for me without hesitation or pause. She’s someone who continuously impresses me with a no-nonsense attitude for life and I’m so proud of the person she is. She started her life hiding behind all our legs a little shy and now she’s whip smart and refuses to wear dorky wrist guards when she roller skates the bowls. I was there when she dropped into a half pipe on her scooter - and here she is now dropping into a car and onto the highways of life. I don’t know what it feels like to be a parent - but I know what it feels like to have an unconditional love for a kid you would give anything to protect. HAPPY BDAY BABY CUZ. See you soon !

Network name of the week goes to - Nashville Roadie Safe House. Congratulations on your win.

@lydiasaintgeorge @daniel_gallup & @benjholst help celebrate us kickoff Year 2 of the Volume.com Songwriter Round Tuesday 4/14 at 7 pm EST! The shows are always free - TIX in Link in BIO or /t/mQzKxx/ These unique livestream rounds allow artists and viewers to share songs, stores and connect from different parts of the country - and provide artists from different genres and backgrounds to showcase their own material in a stripped down setting. Unlike other traditional song writer rounds - we spend more time talking in between songs about journeys & process. It’s a show and a conversation. Viewers can also tip the artists through @getonvolume AMP system. Very much looking forward to having NC’s Lydia Saint George on for the first time, though her labelmates at @goldshiprecords have been on the round before and I just love all the music on that label. Daniel Gallup is not just my Miami neighbor, he’s a fixture on the South Florida songwriting scene. I had the pleasure of meeting him at @sf_folk_acoustic_music this year and he’s a true gentlemen and bard. And everyone knows how I feel about Ben Holst. He’s a friend, a bandmate, producer and someone I trust with my music. And now he’s stepping out out of the control room and getting his own down to earth compositions out there in the world, where they belong. One of Georgia’s finest.

I’ve probably played at @eddiesattic close to 40 times with various artists since moving to Atlanta- including serving as a member of @quiethounds with @etoledo . Really looking forward to finally stepping out on my own again. I miss it, and it will be fun to get back to basics and see what happens. I’ve lived most of my life securely hidden in the liner notes and well… since those don’t matter so much anymore I guess it’s time to shoot for a few marquees. Thanks @cliffscorr @dekespears and @justinkerenyi for always keeping me in mind and kicking my tail to keep slinging.

Half Marathons. Way easier than divorce, trying to support a household as a working musician, self employed taxes, watching the news, and most things at mid-life. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ! #12 = complete.

Songwriters in the Row welcomes @steveeverettmusic , @benjholst , @burns.proctor and @etoledo on Friday, March 20th at @eddiesattic . It’s going to be great night, so be sure to grab your tickets now.

Weekend at a glance. Happy Bday @clunkytaco - it’s been way too long for no shortage of good excuses - but thanks for the forgiving systemic reboot. Here’s to new beginnings and more fish foolery.

My new album The Cost of Living is now streaming everywhere! Links in BIO. Most of these songs were written in the last year, reflecting on life since relocating to Miami. Some are songs that have been resurrected - old songs about escaping, or longing return. I still have itchy feet - but I’m where I’m supposed to be: Home. Neil Young once sang in Helpless “All my changes were there” - about his hometown. And while I have spent some time away from my hometown, I have always returned to Florida to heal, to deal, and to become more real. This album is about as real as I can be. It’s about making a kingdom in your backyard & unlocking the one in your heart. There are two sides of the album, as you’ll see if & when you get the vinyl (on sale 2/28 online & at the album release show). Side one showcases some of my favorite musicians & studio team @benjholst @colinagnew @dafuente in ATL and @alejandroelizondomusic @elferny in MIA at @shacknorth - Note: Ferny Copiel & Ben Holst are not just great collaborators and friends - they are terrifc guides in new waters. Oh yeah - the strings! All arranged by @jasontoddshannon on the song “Mayaimi” Side two is just me and a guitar and a ukelele. It’s strange - for as many solo acoustic shows I’ve done - I’ve never recorded this stripped down in a studio. It’s much harder than I thought. Thanks @jacob.george.band for guitar loan - and thanks @chloe_rgrant for the uke. I’m gonna write a little more about the songs soon. I hope you can come join me and the band 2/28 at @sweatrecords if you’re in Miami. It would mean a lot to see you. In the meantime - I hope you find as much love & light in these songs that I have. All artwork @are.beans Mastering @mo_mauricio_mo Special thanks: my mother & father, @305lizard @kmbgator97 - all my students past and present, @drums_cats_cars @nickcounty @when_days_end_ @wlrn @pennylanemusicemporium @gnacron , Bill, Bob, all the songwriters that have been with me on @getonvolume & @miamisongwriter collective, @miaminewtimes , @magnoliaorli , @jitneybooks @jesezki @stevenparnelle @lucia.nunez , all my FL & GA friends… And - of course - Willy. 🦊 🐕

This beautiful robot - a circa 2009 Apple iMac helped me sound design and mix the 2012 Doritos Goat4Sale Super Bowl spot, which still shows up on some top 10 Super Bowl commercial lists. I had always intended to make a self congratulatory plaque for it and proudly display it at a studio - but at this point in my life - a bit underwater with sentimentality - I think it makes more sense to rest in peace in a 2D cache. This post features a song called “Money’s Worth” by artist @davedanielsmusic - also assisted by this wonderful machine. I can say without question that I most certainly got my money’s worth out of this $1,100 investment. The legacy it afforded me remains and the friendships and experiences along the way are priceless. We thank you for your service, old friend. #superbowl #doritos #recording

Always a journey getting here - and it’s a long way down to the top !

Epic couple days in LA. Visiting friends, reuniting with music, and connecting dots. Thanks @mostrower and @unitedmasters for such a fantastic introduction to @clipse and @golddiggersla for the wonderful hospitality!! Always great to see Andy Frasco & The U.N. in the wild. #grammyweek

When you’re obsessed with fishing, and at your favorite spot in Hollywood. #grammy