Singer-songwriter Lauren O’Connell has a new song up on her MySpace and on YouTube. I Belong to You features Ben’s touring bassist Ryan Lerman, whom Lauren describes as “stupid talented,” on guitar, bass, piano, assorted percussion, and accompanying vocals. From the small world department, Lauren, who hails from the Napa Valley area of California, has a project with Nataly from Pomplamoose as well.
Crowdsourcing a cappella
Never one to be lacking new ideas, Ben’s latest is to assemble an a cappella performance piece with parts recorded by the audience at the midwestern US shows this month and next, in the manner of the vocal chorus to Army or Not the Same that’s become a staple.  Ben says it’s a fairly involved arrangement in the VideoSong style (as pioneered by groups such as Pomplamoose), meant to work together after recording the parts at eight different shows.  He plans to edit it after the US tour leg finishes up in February, and hopes to release it before beginning the Europe tour in mid-February. The first part, comprising the bass and vocal percussion parts to Working Day, was recorded at the Minneapolis show Sunday night (January 23, 2011). Check his YouTube channel to see how the audience did as performers.
Lonely Avenue songbook available
Our partner in published music, Sheet Music Plus, now has the songbook for Ben’s album Lonely Avenue available. The book, published by Alfred Music Publishing, is the officially-licensed piano and vocal sheet music transcription from the 2010 album that combined Nick Hornby’s lyrics with music by Ben. Order your copy and learn to play and sing along.
Street Corner Symphony opening
The Nashville a cappella group Street Corner Symphony, recent contestants on NBC’s The Sing-Off who performed Gone with Ben on the finale, will be opening for him at the next few shows, starting January 23 in Minneapolis and ending February 1 in Tulsa. Details on the tour dates page.  Ben sat in with Street Corner Symphony and the Whiffenpoofs of Yale University, also a Sing-Off contestant, at a recent show at Nashville’s Exit/In.
My So-Called Band New Year’s Eve show
Sam Smith’s other musical venture, My So-Called Band, has a show at Nashville’ Mercy Lounge on New Year’s Eve. Sam’s posted that they plan on playing 58 songs from the ’90s, the longest show he’s  ever been in. The show,  which is sold out, starts at 10 pm.
