Career Timeline of Ben Folds: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ben Folds made an impact.
Ben Folds is an American singer-songwriter and pianist, best known as the frontman of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. He gained prominence in the 1990s with the band's unique sound. After their initial run and a later reunion, Folds embarked on a successful solo career, releasing multiple albums and collaborating with diverse artists across genres. Beyond his solo work, Folds has engaged in experimental songwriting projects and served as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.
1988: First Gig at Duke University's Battle of the Bands
In 1988, Majosha played their first gig at Duke University's Battle of the Bands and won. They also self-produced and sold an EP called Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus.
1989: Recorded Shut Up and Listen to Majosha
In 1989, Majosha recorded the album Shut Up and Listen to Majosha, which contained remixes and re-recordings of songs from their earlier EP, Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus.
1990: Moved to Nashville to Pursue Publishing Deal
In 1990, Ben Folds moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a music publishing deal after being scouted by music executive Scott Siman.
1993: Acting in Theater Troupes
Around 1993, Ben Folds was acting in theater troupes in New York City and playing gigs at Sin-é.
1993: Ben Folds Five Formed
In 1993, Ben Folds came to prominence as the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock trio Ben Folds Five.
1994: Formed Ben Folds Five
In 1994, Ben Folds formed Ben Folds Five in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with Robert Sledge and Darren Jessee.
1995: Released Self-Titled Debut Album
In 1995, Ben Folds Five released their self-titled debut album, Ben Folds Five.
1996: "Underground" Made the Lower Reaches of the Top 40
In 1996, Ben Folds Five's "Underground" made the lower reaches of the Top 40, peaking at no. 37 in the UK.
January 26, 1997: "Underground" ranked No. 3 on Triple J Hottest 100
On January 26, 1997, Ben Folds Five's song "Underground" came in at no. 3 on the 1996 Triple J Hottest 100 poll in Australia.
1997: Released Whatever and Ever Amen
In 1997, Ben Folds Five released the album Whatever and Ever Amen, featuring singles like "Song for the Dumped" and "Brick".
1998: Released Naked Baby Photos
In early 1998, Ben Folds Five released the odds-and-ends compilation album Naked Baby Photos.
1999: Released The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
In 1999, Ben Folds Five released The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner, which included the hit "Army".
2000: Ben Folds Five Break-up
Ben Folds Five was active until 2000, before they broke up.
2001: Released Rockin' the Suburbs
In 2001, Ben Folds released his first solo album, Rockin' the Suburbs, on the same day as the September 11 attacks. The album featured "The Luckiest", written for the movie Loser.
2002: Leased RCA Studio A
In 2002, Ben Folds leased RCA Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee.
2003: Released Speed Graphic and Sunny 16
In late 2003, Ben Folds self-released two solo EPs, Speed Graphic and Sunny 16, on his label Attacked by Plastic.
2004: Released Super D EP
In mid-2004, Ben Folds released the Super D EP on his label Attacked by Plastic.
April 26, 2005: Released Songs for Silverman
On April 26, 2005, Ben Folds released Songs for Silverman, which featured the song "Late", a tribute to Elliott Smith, and "Time" with backup vocals by "Weird Al" Yankovic.
October 2006: Planned to work on next studio album
In October 2006, Ben Folds announced on his MySpace blog that he planned to work on his next studio album.
October 24, 2006: Released Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP
On October 24, 2006, Ben Folds released Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP, a compilation of songs from his previous EPs. He also webcast a live-by-request concert over MySpace, featuring pranks and a "guitorchestra."
February 20, 2007: Released "Live at MySpace" DVD
On February 20, 2007, Ben Folds released a DVD of his live MySpace concert, titled "Live at MySpace."
December 19, 2007: Debuted New Music at Exit/In
On December 19, 2007, Ben Folds debuted new music at an impromptu gig at the Exit/In.
January 25, 2008: Debuted New Music at Ann Arbor Folk Festival
On January 25, 2008, Ben Folds debuted new music at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival.
March 8, 2008: Performed at The 6th Annual Langerado
On March 8, 2008, Ben Folds played The 6th Annual Langerado.
April 11, 2008: Announced Completion of New Album
On April 11, 2008, during a concert in Richmond, Virginia, Ben Folds announced that he had completed his newest album and played four tracks from it.
July 2008: Idea of collaboration with Nick Hornby
In July 2008, the idea of collaboration between Ben Folds and Nick Hornby came out of the "fake" leak of the album.
September 18, 2008: Ben Folds Five Reunion Concert
On September 18, 2008, Ben Folds Five reunited to perform its first concert appearance in nearly 10 years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall, playing The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. All proceeds benefited Operation Smile.
September 29, 2008: Way to Normal Released in the United Kingdom
On September 29, 2008, Way to Normal was released in the United Kingdom.
September 30, 2008: Way to Normal Released in the United States
On September 30, 2008, Way to Normal was released in the United States, becoming Ben Folds's highest-charting album ever in the US, debuting at no. 11 on the Billboard 200.
2008: Produced Amanda Palmer's debut solo album
In 2008, Ben Folds produced Amanda Palmer's debut solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer.
April 28, 2009: Released University A Cappella!
On April 28, 2009, Ben Folds released Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!, an album consisting of college students' a cappella arrangements of his music.
December 2009: Judge on NBC's The Sing-Off
In December 2009, Ben Folds began his role as a judge on NBC's a cappella competition, The Sing-Off, alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Shawn Stockman.
2009: Judge on The Sing-Off
From 2009 to 2013, Ben Folds was a judge on the NBC a cappella singing contest The Sing-Off.
March 2010: "Ode To Merton" Video Went Viral
In March 2010, Ben Folds's video "Ode To Merton," featuring improvised songs on Chatroulette, went viral on YouTube.
July 18, 2010: "From Above" Premiered
On July 18, 2010, "From Above", the first single from Lonely Avenue, premiered on Triple J in Australia, featuring Kate Miller-Heidke on backing vocals.
September 28, 2010: Lonely Avenue Released
On September 28, 2010, Ben Folds's collaboration with Nick Hornby, Lonely Avenue, was released.
December 2010: Returned as judge on The Sing-Off Season 2
In December 2010, Ben Folds returned as a judge for the second season of NBC's The Sing-Off.
September 2011: Returned as judge on The Sing-Off Season 3
In September 2011, Ben Folds returned as a judge for the third season of NBC's The Sing-Off, alongside Shawn Stockman and Sara Bareilles.
December 2013: Returned as judge on The Sing-Off Season 4
In December 2013, Ben Folds returned as a judge for the fourth season of NBC's The Sing-Off, alongside Shawn Stockman and Jewel.
2013: Ben Folds Five Disbanded
Ben Folds Five was active until 2013, before they disbanded.
2013: Left The Sing-Off
Ben Folds was a judge on the NBC a cappella singing contest The Sing-Off until 2013.
2013: Cameo appearance in "We're the Millers"
In 2013, Ben Folds made a cameo appearance as himself in the film "We're the Millers" as a piano teacher, though the scene was cut from the theatrical release.
January 2014: Appearance in TV show Community
In January 2014, Ben Folds made an appearance in the TV show Community, in episode "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics" (S5E03), as Professor Bublitz and contributed the song "Ass Crack Bandit".
2014: Pivotal to the preservation of the RCA Studio A
In 2014, Ben Folds was pivotal to the preservation of the historic RCA Studio A building in Nashville, Tennessee during its developer controversy.
May 2017: Artistic Advisor to National Symphony Orchestra
In May 2017, Ben Folds began serving as the first artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
June 2019: Launched ArtsVote 2020 with Ben Folds podcast
In June 2019, Ben Folds launched a podcast titled ArtsVote 2020 with Ben Folds to get every candidate in the 2020 United States presidential election to discuss their personal background in the arts and arts education.
July 2019: Published "A Dream About Lightning Bugs"
In July 2019, Ben Folds published his first book, a memoir titled "A Dream About Lightning Bugs: A Life of Music and Cheap Lessons."
July 2019: Published Memoir
In July 2019, Ben Folds published his first book, a memoir titled A Dream About Lightning Bugs.
2019: Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra
In 2019, Ben Folds became the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
2020: ArtsVote 2020 goal
The goal of Ben Folds' ArtsVote 2020 podcast, which he launched in June 2019, was to get every candidate in the 2020 United States presidential election to discuss their personal background in the arts and arts education.
April 2021: Launched Lightning Bugs podcast
In April 2021, Ben Folds launched a podcast titled Lightning Bugs where he discusses creativity with guests and writes a song with them.
2022: Appearance in "The Wilds"
In 2022, Ben Folds appeared as himself on 3 episodes of the 2nd season of Prime Video's drama series "The Wilds", playing a "twisted, dream version" of himself.
February 12, 2025: Resigned as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra
On February 12, 2025, Ben Folds resigned as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra after President Donald Trump announced that he would fire the current Kennedy Center board of trustees and appoint himself as chairman.
2025: End of Tenure as Artistic Advisor
Ben Folds is expected to end his tenure as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2025.
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