Ben Rector
Ben Rector | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Benjamin Evans Rector |
| Born | November 6, 1986 |
| Origin | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
| Genres | Pop rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Website | benrectormusic.com |
Ben Rector (born November 6, 1986) is an American musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. His most recent record, Something Like This was released in September 2011. Through word of mouth the record charted at #1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart, and climbed above Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV to the #4 spot on iTunes,albums overall, bested only by Lady Antebellum’s same day release, Coldplay, and Adele. Rector’s songs have been featured on One Tree Hill,[1] Drop Dead Diva, Pretty Little Liars,[2] Teen Mom, "Jane By Design", ESPN SportsCenter, ABC’s Modern Family fall promo, ABC's "The Lying Game",[3][4][5] ABC’s "Castle (TV series)", ABC’s "The Neighbors (2012 TV series)", ABC’s "Ready for Love (TV series)", October Baby, and ABC Family's "Make It or Break It". Rector's music has also been featured in commercials for Harley-Davidson, Huggies, and OluKai.
History
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Early life
Rector was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. took piano lessons as a small child but did not begin pursuing music seriously until he picked up guitar and later songwriting in high school. During his freshman year at the University of Arkansas he released a self-titled EP that featured the song “Conversation”, which went on to win the Grand Prize in the pop category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2006.[6] He is the youngest person ever to win the award for the pop category. The EP grew popular in surrounding states, and Rector began touring frequently on weekends and during breaks in the school year. In 2008 Rector released his first full-length record, Twenty Tomorrow, followed by Songs That Duke Wrote in 2009. In 2009 Rector was given the NAMA award for best singer songwriter in Northwest Arkansas.[7] During his college career at the University of Arkansas he played approximately 200 shows. In June 2009 Rector moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting and to continue his career as an artist.
Into the Morning (2009-2011)
Rector’s third studio album, Into the Morning, was released on February 16, 2010. The record peaked at #5 on the iTunes pop chart, #10 on the iTunes overall chart, and #11 on Billboard Magazine's Top Heatseekers chart.[4][8] Following the release, Rector co-headlined the “Three Amigos Tour” with fellow Nashvillians Steve Moakler and Andrew Ripp. The rest of 2010 brought support slots with Dave Barnes and Five for Fighting, "The Beat Lives Forever" co-headline tour with Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, and the “Feels Like Home” tour in Germany, organized by Johannes Strate of the German band Revolverheld. In the spring of 2011 Rector headlined the Midwest, supported fellow Nashville artist Matt Wertz’s “Weights & Wings” national release tour, and performed on the VH1 Best Cruise Ever with many artists including Train, The Script, Colbie Caillat and Lifehouse.[9]
Something Like This (2011-2012)
Something Like This was released September 2011 and debuted at #1 on iTunes Singer Songwriter Chart and #4 on iTunes albums overall. In summer 2011, Rector co-produced Steve Moakler’s Watching Time Run. Following the release of Something Like This Rector headlined the “Good Time Tour” which spanned 25 cities with Andrew Belle and Graham Colton as support. Over half of the shows sold out in advance. Rector was featured as direct support for a US coast to coast tour with Needtobreathe during their “The Reckoning” Tour in early 2012.[10]
Spring Tour 2013 ("The Rectour")
Starting March 20, 2013 at Common Grounds in Waco, Texas, The Rectour continued until May 11, 2013, with Alpha Rev as direct support for all dates. Rector toured through 32 cites and 2 Countries (United States & Canada). The tour included sold out dates in the following cities: Waco, Texas; College Station, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Norman, Oklahoma; Auburn, Alabama; Birmingham, Alabama; Nashville, Tennessee; Knoxville, Tennessee; Greenville, South Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; New York, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Chicago, Illinois.
Discography
Albums
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Twenty Tomorrow |
| 2008 | Songs That Duke Wrote |
| 2010 | Into the Morning |
| 2011 | Something Like This |
| 2013 | The Walking In Between |
EPs
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Ben Rector |
| 2009 | Jingles and Bells |
| 2010 | Summer Candy |
References
- ^ One Tree Hill Music: "In the Room Where You Sleep". One Tree Hill Music
- ^ Pretty Little Liars: Music Guide: Episode 102. Abcfamily.go.com. Posted: 06/15/10. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ The Lying Game Music: "Catch Her In The Lie" The Lying Game Music
- ^ a b Billboard: Ben Rector Is a Gimmick Free Pop 'Nobody'. Billboard.com. Posted: 09/25/2011. Retrieved on 02/23/2012.
- ^ "Independent Release by Ben Rector Tops iTunes Chart". PR Newswire. PR Newswire. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ 2006 Grand Prize Winners – Session I. Jlsc.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ The 2009 NAMA winners. Fayettevilleflyer.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ Ben Rector: Family Friendly. Blog.lp33.tv. 9 April 2010. Retrieved on 2011-09-05.
- ^ The Salt Lake Tribune: VH1 Best Cruise Ever, featuring Train, Lifehouse, Colbie Caillat, The Script, setting sail soon. sltrib.com
- ^ NEEDTOBREATHE: The Reckoning Spring Tour 2012. needtobreathe.net