History of Ben Folds in Timeline
Ben Folds is an American singer-songwriter and pianist, best known as the frontman of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. The band was active from 1993 to 2000, and again from 2011-2013. Since the band's original breakup, Folds has pursued a successful solo career, releasing multiple albums and collaborating with a diverse range of artists, including Regina Spektor and William Shatner. Folds served as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., from 2019 to 2025. His work spans pop, rock, and experimental compositions.
September 12, 1966: Benjamin Scott Folds' Birth
On September 12, 1966, Benjamin Scott Folds was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
1985: Enrollment at UNCG
In 1985, Ben Folds enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for the fall semester.
1987: Marriage to Anna Goodman
In 1987, Ben Folds married Anna Goodman, whom he had known since first grade.
1988: Formation of Majosha and First Gig
In 1988, Ben Folds formed the band Majosha and they played their first gig at Duke University's Battle of the Bands and won. They also self-produced an EP called 'Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus'.
1989: Recording of 'Shut Up and Listen to Majosha'
In 1989, Majosha recorded the album 'Shut Up and Listen to Majosha', containing tracks from their earlier EP and other songs.
1990: Move to Nashville to Pursue Music Publishing Deal
In 1990, Ben Folds moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a music publishing deal with Scott Siman, also playing drums for Power Bill.
1992: Divorce from Anna Goodman
In 1992, Ben Folds divorced Anna Goodman, who co-wrote several Ben Folds Five songs.
1993: Acting in Theater Troupes and Playing at Sin-é
Around 1993, Ben Folds moved to Montclair, New Jersey, acted in theater troupes in New York City and played weekly gigs at Sin-é.
1993: Frontman of Ben Folds Five
In 1993, Ben Folds became the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock trio Ben Folds Five.
1994: Formation of Ben Folds Five
In 1994, Ben Folds formed Ben Folds Five in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with Robert Sledge and Darren Jessee.
1995: Release of Self-Titled Debut Album
In 1995, Ben Folds Five released their self-titled debut album.
1996: "Underground" popularity
In 1996, Ben Folds Five gained a strong following in the United Kingdom and Australia. Also in 1996, the song Underground came in at no. 3 on the Triple J Hottest 100 poll
1996: Marriage to Kate Rosen
In 1996, Ben Folds was briefly married to Kate Rosen.
January 26, 1997: Broadcast of Triple J Hottest 100 poll
On January 26, 1997, the Triple J Hottest 100 poll was broadcast.
1997: Release of 'Whatever and Ever Amen'
In 1997, Ben Folds Five released 'Whatever and Ever Amen', which included singles like 'Song for the Dumped' and 'Brick'.
January 1998: Meeting Frally Hynes
In January 1998, Ben Folds met Frally Hynes, who is Australian.
1998: Release of Whatever and Ever Amen
In 1998, Ben Folds Five released the album, Whatever and Ever Amen.
1998: Success of 'Brick' and 'Whatever and Ever Amen' in Australia
In 1998, the single 'Brick' became Ben Folds Five's major chart placing in Australia, reaching no. 13, and the album 'Whatever and Ever Amen' peaked at no. 9 and charted for 32 weeks.
1998: Release of 'Naked Baby Photos'
In early 1998, Ben Folds Five released the compilation album 'Naked Baby Photos'.
May 1999: Marriage to Frally Hynes
In May 1999, Ben Folds married Frally Hynes in Adelaide, South Australia.
July 22, 1999: Birth of Louis Francis
On July 22, 1999, Frally Hynes gave birth to twins, including Louis Francis, who inspired the song "Still Fighting It".
July 23, 1999: Birth of Gracie Scott
On July 23, 1999, Frally Hynes gave birth to twins, including Gracie Scott, who inspired the song "Gracie".
1999: Release of '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 Initial Breakup
In 2000, Ben Folds Five initially broke up.
2001: Release of 'Rockin' the Suburbs'
In 2001, Ben Folds released his first solo album, 'Rockin' the Suburbs', on the same day as the September 11 attacks.
2002: Leasing RCA Studio A
In 2002, Ben Folds leased RCA Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee.
2002: RIAA Gold Record Award
In 2002, Ben Folds received a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Gold Record award for Ben Folds Five's Whatever and Ever Amen (1998).
2003: Release of '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: Release of 'Super D'
In mid-2004, Ben Folds released the solo EP 'Super D'.
April 26, 2005: Release of 'Songs for Silverman'
On April 26, 2005, Ben Folds released 'Songs for Silverman' in the United States, featuring Jared Reynolds and Lindsay Jamieson, including the track 'Late'.
October 2006: Planning Next Studio Album
In October 2006, Ben Folds announced his plans to work on his next studio album.
October 24, 2006: Release of 'Supersunnyspeedgraphic' and Live Webcast
On October 24, 2006, Ben Folds released 'Supersunnyspeedgraphic' and became the first person to webcast a live-by-request concert over MySpace.
2006: Divorce from Frally Hynes
In 2006, Ben Folds and Frally Hynes divorced.
February 20, 2007: Release of 'Live at MySpace' DVD
On February 20, 2007, Ben Folds released the DVD of his MySpace concert, 'Live at MySpace'.
November 17, 2007: Marriage to Fleur Stanbrook
On November 17, 2007, Ben Folds married Fleur Stanbrook in Las Vegas.
December 19, 2007: Impromptu gig at Exit/In
On December 19, 2007, Ben Folds debuted new music at an impromptu gig at the Exit/In, Nashville.
January 25, 2008: New music debut at Ann Arbor Folk Festival
On January 25, 2008, Ben Folds debuted new music at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival.
March 8, 2008: Performance at The 6th Annual Langerado
On March 8, 2008, Ben Folds played The 6th Annual Langerado.
April 11, 2008: Announcement of new album at Richmond Concert
On April 11, 2008, Ben Folds announced that he had completed his newest album and played four tracks from it during a concert at the National Theatre in Richmond, Virginia.
July 2008: Idea of Nick Hornby collaboration
In July 2008, the idea of collaboration with Nick Hornby came out of the "fake" leak of the album. Then later became a major release.
July 16, 2008: Leak of 'Way to Normal (Fake)'
On July 16, 2008, an anonymous user posted what they claimed was a "leak" of Ben Folds' latest album, 'Way to Normal (Fake)', on a fan site. The leak contained the fake versions of songs recorded in Dublin.
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, as part of MySpace's "Front to Back" series playing 'The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner'.
September 29, 2008: Release of 'Way to Normal' in the UK
On September 29, 2008, Ben Folds released 'Way to Normal' in the United Kingdom.
September 30, 2008: Release of 'Way to Normal' in the US
On September 30, 2008, Ben Folds released 'Way to Normal' in the United States, which became his highest-charting album in the US.
2008: Production of 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer'
In 2008, Ben Folds produced Amanda Palmer's debut solo album, 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer'.
April 28, 2009: Release of 'University A Cappella!'
On April 28, 2009, Ben Folds released 'Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!', an album featuring college students' a cappella arrangements of his music.
December 2009: Judging on 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, Ben Folds was a judge on the NBC a cappella singing contest 'The Sing-Off'.
March 2010: "Ode To Merton" Viral Video
In March 2010, Ben Folds' video "Ode To Merton", where he improvises songs on Chatroulette, went viral on YouTube.
June 14, 2010: Release of 'Lonely Avenue' Album Art
On June 14, 2010, Ben Folds released the official album art for 'Lonely Avenue' via his Twitter account.
July 18, 2010: Premiere of 'From Above'
On July 18, 2010, Ben Folds' single 'From Above', featuring Kate Miller-Heidke, premiered on Triple J in Australia.
September 28, 2010: Release of 'Lonely Avenue'
On September 28, 2010, Ben Folds' collaboration with Nick Hornby, 'Lonely Avenue', was released.
October 1, 2010: Release of 'Saskia Hamilton' Music Video
On October 1, 2010, the music video for Ben Folds' song 'Saskia Hamilton', created by Charlotte McDonnell, was uploaded.
December 2010: Returning to The Sing-Off
In December 2010, Ben Folds returned for the second season of The Sing-Off.
September 2011: Third Season of The Sing-Off
In September 2011, Ben Folds judged the third season of The Sing-Off, alongside Shawn Stockman and Sara Bareilles.
2011: End of Marriage to Fleur Stanbrook
Ben Folds and Fleur Stanbrook ended their marriage sometime in 2011.
2011: Induction into North Carolina Music Hall of Fame
In 2011, Ben Folds was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
2012: Folds' statement on marriage
In 2012, Ben Folds stated, "As much as I love the idea of being married, it's not for me."
December 2013: Fourth Season of The Sing-Off
In December 2013, Ben Folds appeared in the fourth season of The Sing-Off with Shawn Stockman and Jewel.
2013: Ben Folds Five Final Breakup
In 2013, Ben Folds Five broke up again.
2013: Cameo in We're the Millers
In 2013, Ben Folds made a cameo appearance in the film We're the Millers, portraying himself as a piano teacher, although the scene was cut from the theatrical release.
2013: End of judging tenure on 'The Sing-Off'
In 2013, Ben Folds' judging tenure on 'The Sing-Off' ended.
January 2014: Appearance on Community
In January 2014, Ben Folds made an appearance on the TV show Community as Professor Bublitz and contributed the song "Ass Crack Bandit".
2014: Preservation efforts for RCA Studio A
In 2014, Ben Folds was pivotal in the preservation of RCA Studio A during its developer controversy, contributing to the creation of the Music Industry Coalition.
October 29, 2015: Honorary Brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
On October 29, 2015, Ben Folds was initiated as an honorary brother of the men's music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at the University of Miami.
2016: Living in Santa Monica, California
As of 2016, Ben Folds resided in Santa Monica, California and also owned a residence in Hudson, New York.
2016: Supported Bernie Sanders for president
In 2016, Ben Folds publicly supported Bernie Sanders in his campaign for president.
January 20, 2017: Marriage to Emma Sandall
On January 20, 2017, Ben Folds married Emma Sandall, a former Royal Ballet dancer.
May 2017: Artistic Advisor to National Symphony Orchestra
In May 2017, Ben Folds began his role as the first artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
August 21, 2018: Star on Music City Walk of Fame
On August 21, 2018, Ben Folds received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee.
June 2019: Launching ArtsVote 2020 Podcast
In June 2019, Ben Folds launched a podcast titled ArtsVote 2020 with Ben Folds, aiming to engage 2020 United States presidential election candidates in conversations about arts and arts education.
July 2019: Publication of 'A Dream About Lightning Bugs'
In July 2019, Ben Folds published his first book, a memoir titled 'A Dream About Lightning Bugs'.
2019: Acknowledgment of Robert Darnell's Impact
In 2019, Ben Folds acknowledged the impact of Robert Darnell on his appreciation of music in his memoir '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.
March 2020: Temporary Residence in Sydney
In March 2020, Ben Folds temporarily resided in Sydney due to travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic while he was touring.
December 2020: Sale of Hudson, New York residence
In December 2020, Ben Folds sold his residence in Hudson, New York, which he had owned since 2016.
2020: Aimed conversations with presidential candidates
Ben Fold's podcast, ArtsVote 2020 with Ben Folds, launched in June 2019, had the stated goal of getting every candidate in the 2020 United States presidential election to have "a one-on-one, 30-minute conversation with Ben Folds about their personal background in the arts and arts education, their observations and previous policy efforts to transform through the arts the communities and states that they represent, and their vision for advancing support for the arts and the charitable sector in the future.
April 2021: Launching 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 on The Wilds
In 2022, Ben Folds appeared as himself in three episodes of the second season of Prime Video's drama series The Wilds.
February 27, 2024: Divorce from Emma Sandall
On February 27, 2024, Ben Folds divorced Emma Sandall.
2024: Release of 'Sleigher'
In 2024, Ben Folds released his album 'Sleigher'.
February 12, 2025: Resignation from National Symphony Orchestra
On February 12, 2025, Ben Folds resigned as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra after President Donald Trump's announcement regarding the Kennedy Center board of trustees.
2025: End of Tenure as Artistic Advisor
In 2025, Ben Folds' tenure as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. concluded.
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