History of Ben Folds in Timeline
Ben Folds is an American singer-songwriter and pianist known for his work as the frontman of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. The band was active from 1993 to 2000, and reunited from 2011 to 2013. Beyond his work with the band, Folds has a prolific solo career, releasing multiple albums and collaborating with diverse artists like Regina Spektor and William Shatner. Folds has also engaged in experimental songwriting projects with authors such as Nick Hornby and Neil Gaiman. He served as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center from 2019 to 2025.
September 12, 1966: Ben Folds Born
On September 12, 1966, Benjamin Scott Folds was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
1985: Enrolled 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 met in first grade.
1988: Formed Majosha and Won Battle of the Bands
In 1988, Ben Folds formed the band Majosha and they won Duke University's Battle of the Bands. They also released 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 remixed songs from their earlier EP and new songs.
1990: Moved to Nashville
In 1990, Ben Folds moved to Nashville, Tennessee, after getting a music publishing deal.
1992: Divorce from Anna Goodman
In 1992, Ben Folds divorced Anna Goodman.
1993: Theater Troupes and Sin-é Gigs
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: Ben Folds Five formed
In 1993, Ben Folds became 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.
1995: Released Self-Titled Debut Album
In 1995, Ben Folds Five released their self-titled debut album.
1996: "Underground" Released
In 1996, Ben Folds Five song "Underground" was released.
1996: Marriage to Kate Rosen
In 1996, Ben Folds was briefly married to Kate Rosen.
January 26, 1997: "Underground" Ranked High on Triple J Hottest 100
On January 26, 1997, Ben Fold Five's "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", 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's Whatever and Ever Amen was released.
1998: Released '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.
July 23, 1999: Birth of Gracie Scott
On July 23, 1999, Frally Hynes gave birth to twins, including Gracie Scott.
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
In 2000, Ben Folds Five initially 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.
2002: RIAA Gold Record Award
Ben Folds received a 2002 RIAA Gold Record award for Ben Folds Five's Whatever and Ever Amen.
2002: Lease of RCA Studio A
In 2002, Ben Folds leased RCA Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee.
2003: Released Solo EPs 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.
April 26, 2005: Released 'Songs for Silverman'
On April 26, 2005, Ben Folds released "Songs for Silverman" in the United States, featuring Jared Reynolds and Lindsay Jamieson.
October 2006: Planned Next Studio Album
In October 2006, Ben Folds announced plans to work on his next studio album.
October 24, 2006: Released Supersunnyspeedgraphic and Webcast Concert
On October 24, 2006, Ben Folds released "Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP" 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: Released Live at MySpace DVD
On February 20, 2007, Ben Folds released the "Live at MySpace" DVD.
November 17, 2007: Marriage to Fleur Stanbrook
On November 17, 2007, Ben Folds married Fleur Stanbrook in Las Vegas.
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: Performed at Ann Arbor Folk Festival
On January 25, 2008, Ben Folds performed at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival and debuted new music.
March 8, 2008: Played Langerado
On March 8, 2008, Ben Folds played The 6th Annual Langerado.
April 11, 2008: Announced New Album at Richmond Concert
During a concert in Richmond, Virginia on April 11, 2008, Ben Folds announced that he had completed his newest album and played four tracks from it.
July 2008: Fake Album Leak Idea Originated
In July 2008, the idea of the collaboration of "Lonely Avenue" came out of the fake leak of the album "Way to Normal".
July 16, 2008: Fake Album Leak
On July 16, 2008, an anonymous user leaked what they claimed was Ben Folds' latest album, which was a mix of legitimate songs and humorous pastiches.
September 18, 2008: Ben Folds Five Reunion Concert
On September 18, 2008, Ben Folds Five reunited to perform their first concert in nearly 10 years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall.
September 29, 2008: Way to Normal Released in the UK
On September 29, 2008, "Way to Normal" was released in the United Kingdom.
September 30, 2008: Way to Normal Released in the US
On September 30, 2008, "Way to Normal" was released in the United States, becoming Ben Folds' highest-charting album in the US.
2008: Produced Amanda Palmer's Debut 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 of college a cappella arrangements of his music.
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' video "Ode To Merton" went viral on YouTube.
June 14, 2010: Released 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: "From Above" Premiered
On July 18, 2010, the first single from the album "Lonely Avenue", "From Above", premiered on Richard Kingsmill's new music show 2010 on Triple J in Australia.
September 28, 2010: Released 'Lonely Avenue'
On September 28, 2010, Ben Folds released "Lonely Avenue", a collaboration album with Nick Hornby.
October 1, 2010: "Saskia Hamilton" Music Video Released
On October 1, 2010, a music video for Ben Folds' song "Saskia Hamilton", created by Charlotte McDonnell, was uploaded.
2011: Ben Folds Five Reunited
In 2011, Ben Folds Five reunited and released the album "The Sound of the Life of the Mind".
2011: End of Marriage to Fleur Stanbrook
In 2011, Ben Folds and Fleur Stanbrook ended their marriage.
2011: Induction into NC Music Hall of Fame
In 2011, Ben Folds was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
2012: Statement on Marriage
In 2012, Ben Folds stated that "As much as I love the idea of being married, it's not for me."
2012: Ben Folds Five Tour
Throughout 2012, Ben Folds Five toured their new work.
2013: Ben Folds Five Second Break Up
In 2013, Ben Folds Five broke up a second time.
2013: Left The Sing-Off
In 2013, Ben Folds stopped being a judge on the NBC a cappella singing contest, "The Sing-Off".
2013: Ben Folds Five Tour
Throughout 2013, Ben Folds Five toured their new work.
March 2014: Premiered Piano Concerto
In March 2014, Ben Folds premiered a commissioned piano concerto he composed with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.
2014: Preservation of RCA Studio A
In 2014, Ben Folds was pivotal to the preservation of the historic RCA Studio A during its developer controversy.
September 11, 2015: Released 'So There'
On September 11, 2015, Ben Folds and the yMusic Ensemble released the album "So There".
October 29, 2015: Initiation into 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: Residence in Santa Monica and Hudson
As of 2016, Ben Folds lived in Santa Monica, California, and owned a residence in Hudson, New York.
2016: Support for Bernie Sanders
In 2016, Ben Folds supported Bernie Sanders for president in the presidential election.
January 20, 2017: Marriage to Emma Sandall
On January 20, 2017, Ben Folds married Emma Sandall, a former Royal Ballet dancer.
April 2017: Guest Appearance on Billions
In April 2017, Ben Folds guest-starred on the Showtime series Billions, performing his song "Landed".
May 11, 2017: Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra
On May 11, 2017, Ben Folds was appointed as the first Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
May 2017: Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra
In May 2017, Ben Folds became the first artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
May 2017: Soundtrack for Handsome
In May 2017, Ben Folds wrote the soundtrack for the Netflix original film, Handsome.
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.
September 2018: Commissioned Single: Mister Peepers
In September 2018, The Washington Post commissioned Ben Folds to write and record "Mister Peepers", a song about Rod Rosenstein's conflict with Republicans.
June 2019: Launch of ArtsVote 2020 Podcast
In June 2019, Ben Folds launched a podcast titled ArtsVote 2020 with Ben Folds to interview 2020 United States presidential election candidates about their backgrounds in arts and arts education.
July 2019: Published Memoir
In July 2019, Ben Folds published his first book, a memoir titled "A Dream About Lightning Bugs".
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: A Life of Music and Cheap Lessons.
2019: Artistic Advisor at the Kennedy Center
In 2019, Ben Folds became the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
2019: Acknowledged Robert Darnell's impact
In his 2019 memoir, "A Dream About Lightning Bugs", Ben Folds acknowledged the impact of Robert Darnell on his appreciation of music.
March 2020: Temporary Residence in Sydney
In March 2020, Ben Folds temporarily resided in Sydney due to travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2020: Release of "2020"
In June 2020, Ben Folds released the song "2020", which reflects on the difficulties of living during the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 2020: Sale of Hudson Residence
In December 2020, Ben Folds sold his residence in Hudson, New York.
2020: ArtsVote 2020 Podcast Goal
In 2020, the stated goal of Ben Folds' ArtsVote 2020 Podcast was to have conversations with candidates for the United States presidential election about their personal background in the arts and arts education.
April 2021: Launch of 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.
March 2022: Podcast Hiatus Announcement
In March 2022, Ben Folds announced that his podcast, Lightning Bugs, would be placed on indefinite hiatus as he focused on creating a new album.
May 2022: Guest Appearance on The Wilds
In May 2022, Ben Folds made a guest appearance in three episodes of the second season of The Wilds on Amazon Prime Video, featuring a new version of "Brick" and his rendition of "The Ghost in You".
2022: Collaboration with Mo Willems
In 2022, Ben Folds collaborated with Mo Willems and the National Symphony Orchestra, contributing original music to a stage adaptation of Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs.
February 15, 2023: Album Announcement: What Matters Most
On February 15, 2023, Ben Folds announced the release of his next album, What Matters Most, set for June 2, 2023, and released the first single, "Winslow Gardens".
June 2, 2023: Release of What Matters Most
Ben Folds' album "What Matters Most" was released on June 2, 2023. It was accompanied by a tour of the United States and Europe, and he has indicated that it will likely be his final rock album.
February 27, 2024: Divorce from Emma Sandall
On February 27, 2024, Ben Folds divorced Emma Sandall.
September 25, 2024: Release of Christmas Album Songs
On September 25, 2024, Ben Folds released two songs from his upcoming Christmas album: "The Christmas Song" and "We Could Have This" featuring Lindsey Kraft.
October 25, 2024: Release of Sleigher Christmas Album
On October 25, 2024, Ben Folds fully released his Christmas album, titled Sleigher.
February 12, 2025: Resignation from National Symphony Orchestra
On February 12, 2025, Ben Folds announced his resignation as artistic director to the National Symphony Orchestra after President Donald Trump announced he would fire the current Kennedy Center board of trustees and appoint himself as chairman.
2025: End of Kennedy Center Tenure
In 2025, Ben Folds' tenure as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. will end.
