Ben Rector
Encyclopedia
Ben Rector is an American
musician now based in Nashville, Tennessee
. Rector's stylistic influences include pop, rock, and folk music.
After high school, Rector attended the University of Arkansas
where he studied marketing. During his freshman year he recorded a self-titled EP that featured the song “Conversation”, which won the Grand Prize in the pop category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest
in 2006. He is the youngest person ever to win the award for the pop category. The EP grew popular in surrounding states, and by his sophomore year, 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. During his college career at the University of Arkansas he played approximately 200 shows.
In June 2009 Rector moved to Nashville with his wife to pursue songwriting and to continue his career as an artist. On November 28, 2009 he released Jingles and Bells
, a Christmas album composed of classic Christmas songs. Rector arranged the songs and played all the instruments on the album. He released his most recent album Into the Morning
on February 16, 2010. Through word of mouth, 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. Immediately following the release, Rector co-headlined the “Three Amigos” tour throughout the eastern half of the United States with fellow Nashvillians Steve Moakler and Andrew Ripp
. Later in the spring of 2010 he toured with both Dave Barnes
and Five for Fighting
. Fall of 2010 brought "The Beat Lives Forever" tour with Drew Holcomb
and The Neighbors to many great crowds. Rector's first national tour in the Spring of 2011 was as direct support for fellow Nashville artist Matt Wertz
. In April 2011, Rector was invited to perform on the VH1
Best Cruise Ever with many artists including; Train (band)
, The Script, and Lifehouse (band)
.
His song “After All” was used in the June 15, 2010 episode of the ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars
and the show Castle
.
Rector is no stranger to the road; he has toured incessantly the last four years, rapidly growing a legion of fans and selling out most dates on his previous two headline tours. This rapid growth culminated in the release of Something Like This
on September 13, 2011. The record was the #1 Singer Songwriter album 5 minutes after its official release, it climbed above Lil' Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" to the #4 spot on iTunes
overall album charts, bested only by Lady Antebellum
's same-day release, Coldplay
, and Adele
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician now based in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. Rector's stylistic influences include pop, rock, and folk music.
Biography
Rector took piano lessons as a small child but did not begin playing music seriously until he picked up guitar and later songwriting in high school. He formed a band called Euromart the following year. Euromart made an EP and played club shows in Tulsa, but dissolved when the members left for college.After high school, Rector attended the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
where he studied marketing. During his freshman year he recorded a self-titled EP that featured the song “Conversation”, which won the Grand Prize in the pop category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest
John Lennon Songwriting Contest
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest, named for the former member of The Beatles, is a songwriting competition for songwriters, open to amateurs and professionals. The contest accepts instrumental pieces as well as songs with a vocal component. Though all entries must include a CD, cassette, or...
in 2006. He is the youngest person ever to win the award for the pop category. The EP grew popular in surrounding states, and by his sophomore year, Rector began touring frequently on weekends and during breaks in the school year. In 2008 Rector released his first full-length record, Twenty Tomorrow
Twenty Tomorrow
Twenty Tomorrow is the first full-length studio album released by Ben Rector.-Track listing:# "Bright Lights" 3:24# "Amazing" 4:16# "Twenty Tomorrow" 4:21# "Disarm" 3:58# "Who I Am" 4:06# "I'm Okay" 3:43# "On My Own" 4:05# "Conversation" 3:11...
, followed by Songs That Duke Wrote
Songs That Duke Wrote
Songs That Duke Wrote is the Second full-length studio album released by Ben Rector.The song “After All” was used in the June 15, 2010 episode of the ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars.-Track listing:# "The Kill" 3:21# "The Sophomore" 2:24...
in 2009. In 2009 Rector was given the NAMA award for best singer songwriter in Northwest Arkansas. During his college career at the University of Arkansas he played approximately 200 shows.
In June 2009 Rector moved to Nashville with his wife to pursue songwriting and to continue his career as an artist. On November 28, 2009 he released Jingles and Bells
Jingles and Bells
Jingles and Bells is a Christmas EP released exclusively to iTunes by Ben Rector on November 27, 2009.-Track listing:# "Let It Snow" 2:37# "Jingle Bells" 3:00# "Away in a Manger" 1:32# "White Christmas" 2:47# "Silent Night" 2:22...
, a Christmas album composed of classic Christmas songs. Rector arranged the songs and played all the instruments on the album. He released his most recent album Into the Morning
Into the Morning
Into the Morning is the third full-length studio album released by Ben Rector.Into the Mornign peaked at #11 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.-Track listing:# "The Beat" 3:37# "Loving You is Easy" 3:09# "When a Heart Breaks" 4:14...
on February 16, 2010. Through word of mouth, the record peaked at #5 on the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
pop chart, #10 on the iTunes overall chart, and #11 on Billboard Magazine's Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart. Immediately following the release, Rector co-headlined the “Three Amigos” tour throughout the eastern half of the United States with fellow Nashvillians Steve Moakler and Andrew Ripp
Andrew Ripp
Andrew Ripp is a singer-songwriter from Palatine, Illinois. Before releasing his debut album, Fifty Miles to Chicago, in 2008, Andrew first broke into the national music scene as a songwriter; his contributions, such as Ryan Cabrera's album, You Stand Watching, have charted on the Billboard Hot...
. Later in the spring of 2010 he toured with both Dave Barnes
Dave Barnes
Dave Barnes is an American rock-R&B-contemporary Christian singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee.-Early life:...
and Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:...
. Fall of 2010 brought "The Beat Lives Forever" tour with Drew Holcomb
Drew Holcomb
Drew Holcomb is an American singer and songwriter who grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and now calls East Nashville, Tennessee home. Holcolmb's wife, Ellie, performs alongside him in the band, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors...
and The Neighbors to many great crowds. Rector's first national tour in the Spring of 2011 was as direct support for fellow Nashville artist Matt Wertz
Matt Wertz
Matt Wertz is a singer/songwriter. Originally from LaVale, MD he now calls Nashville, Tennessee, home. Wertz's interest in music started when he was young, but it was his interest in visual art that led him to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he graduated with a degree in...
. In April 2011, Rector was invited to perform on the VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
Best Cruise Ever with many artists including; Train (band)
Train (band)
Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan , Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood ....
, The Script, and Lifehouse (band)
Lifehouse (band)
Lifehouse is an American rock band from Los Angeles. The band came to mainstream prominence in 2001 with the hit single "Hanging by a Moment" from their debut studio album, No Name Face. The single won a Billboard Music Award for Hot 100 Single of the Year, beating out Janet Jackson and Alicia...
.
His song “After All” was used in the June 15, 2010 episode of the ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars (TV series)
Pretty Little Liars is an American mystery-thriller teen drama television series created by Marlene King. Based on the popular series of novels written by Sara Shepard, the show premiered on June 8, 2010 on ABC Family...
and the show Castle
Castle (TV series)
Castle is an American comedy-drama television series, which premiered on ABC on March 9, 2009. The series is produced by Beacon Pictures and ABC Studios. On January 10, 2011, Castle was renewed for a fourth season...
.
Rector is no stranger to the road; he has toured incessantly the last four years, rapidly growing a legion of fans and selling out most dates on his previous two headline tours. This rapid growth culminated in the release of Something Like This
Something Like This
Something Like This is the fourth full-length studio album released by Ben Rector. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums charts and #41 on The Billboard 200.-Track listing:# "Let the Good Times Roll" 3:08# "Song for the Suburbs" 3:40...
on September 13, 2011. The record was the #1 Singer Songwriter album 5 minutes after its official release, it climbed above Lil' Wayne's "Tha Carter IV" to the #4 spot on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
overall album charts, bested only by Lady Antebellum
Lady Antebellum
Lady Antebellum is an American country pop music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006. The trio is composed of Charles Kelley , Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott .The group made its debut in 2007 as guest vocalists on Jim Brickman's single "Never Alone", before signing to Capitol...
's same-day release, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, and Adele
Adele (singer)
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins , known professionally as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. She was the first recipient of the Brit Awards Critics' Choice and was named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of 2008 in an annual BBC poll of music critics, Sound of 2008...
.
Albums
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Twenty Tomorrow Twenty Tomorrow Twenty Tomorrow is the first full-length studio album released by Ben Rector.-Track listing:# "Bright Lights" 3:24# "Amazing" 4:16# "Twenty Tomorrow" 4:21# "Disarm" 3:58# "Who I Am" 4:06# "I'm Okay" 3:43# "On My Own" 4:05# "Conversation" 3:11... |
| 2008 | Songs That Duke Wrote Songs That Duke Wrote Songs That Duke Wrote is the Second full-length studio album released by Ben Rector.The song “After All” was used in the June 15, 2010 episode of the ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars.-Track listing:# "The Kill" 3:21# "The Sophomore" 2:24... |
| 2010 | Into the Morning Into the Morning Into the Morning is the third full-length studio album released by Ben Rector.Into the Mornign peaked at #11 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.-Track listing:# "The Beat" 3:37# "Loving You is Easy" 3:09# "When a Heart Breaks" 4:14... |
| 2011 | Something Like This Something Like This Something Like This is the fourth full-length studio album released by Ben Rector. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums charts and #41 on The Billboard 200.-Track listing:# "Let the Good Times Roll" 3:08# "Song for the Suburbs" 3:40... |
EPs
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Ben Rector Ben Rector (EP) Ben Rector is the first solo EP released by Ben Rector in 2006.-Track listing:# "On My Own" 4:15# "Come Back Home" 2:55# "Conversation" 4:28# "Draw Me In" 5:03# "Mrs. Jones " 3:44... |
| 2009 | Jingles and Bells Jingles and Bells Jingles and Bells is a Christmas EP released exclusively to iTunes by Ben Rector on November 27, 2009.-Track listing:# "Let It Snow" 2:37# "Jingle Bells" 3:00# "Away in a Manger" 1:32# "White Christmas" 2:47# "Silent Night" 2:22... |