The David Lynch Foundation is embarking on a six-week project through PledgeMusic, an organization that works with fans and artists to raise money for charitable causes. Lynch’s foundation, which raises money and awareness for victims of post-traumatic stress syndrome and inner-city youth by introducing them to transcendental meditation, is participating with a 17-track release over the coming weeks. Included in the mix is an exclusive video that Ben Folds did with Detroit soul singer Bettye LaVette at David’s Change Begins Within charity event at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art in December 2010. Download of the tracks is available to those who pledge to the project. Â Others featured in the set are Iggy Pop, Moby, Arrested Development, Maroon 5, and Tom Waits. More about the project in this press release. In case you missed it, Ben posted a short comical video with the filmmaker “introducing” him a few weeks ago.
Autographed drum head being auctioned
Armchair reader Brent e-mailed us to say that he spotted a drumhead autographed by Ben, Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge on the auction site ShopGoodwill.com. As of the time of this post, the high bid is $13 but the auction ends in a few hours. Brent thought it was best that a fan have the opportunity to own this one-of-a-kind piece. It comes with a certificate of authenticity and looks like it’s mounted in a frame with cover art from The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner. Best of all, proceeds from the auction go to support Goodwill Industries and their mission-driven services. Happy bidding!
Virginia show dates announced
Ben will fit in a couple shows stateside between the Europe and Australia tours. He’ll be in Norfolk April 13 and Richmond on April 14.  Tickets on sale to the public shortly; the fan club members get first crack starting February 24. Show details on the Tour Dates page. Update: A couple more shows announced, at Appalachian State in Boone, N.C. and at Virginia Tech.
“The Sing-Off” picked up for 3rd season
The successful NBC-TV program The Sing-Off, featuring Ben Folds on the panel of judges, has been renewed for a third season, according to a NBC-TV press release. We mentioned during last December’s run that New York Times media reporter Bill Carter predicted that the show would see a third run, based on its performance  which gave NBC a win in the ratings column for the nights it was on. Ben hasn’t announced if he’s returning, but I’d say it’s likely, given his contributions to the program and the exposure he’s received.
Pictures from the Hammersmith Apollo show
Justin Ng of Entertainment Focus, a UK entertainment website, took some great photos on stage with Ben and the band at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. Ben wanted the photogs at the show to come up and get better shots than they could from the front of the stage, and Justin’s pictures show the up-close experience.
