Music Lessons is my new podcast where we explore the analogous principles of music and growth by interviewing top musicians. In this first episode, my guest is Ben O’Neill:
Grammy nominated artist, Ben O’Neill (@BenOneillGuitar on Instagram) (guitarist, singer-songwriter, teacher), has played with some of the best known names in Pop, Hip Hop and R&B including John Legend, Jill Scott, Common, Sting, Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, Kid Cudi, and more. He has performed and co-written songs with Tye Tribbett and his “Soundcheck” band which redefined gospel music. Ben has contributed to many RnB, Gospel and Pop recordings and served as a governor of the Philadelphia chapter of the Recording Academy. He is currently a member of the guitar faculty at The University of The Arts where he teaches lessons, ensembles and recording. His artistic releases range from eponymous singer/songwriter works to solo guitar compositions to his band of 20 years, the soul jazz organ trio, The Mini Q’s.
In this episode Ben and I discuss his framework for the 3 avenues of music in his life, the importance of cultivating curiosity, what he learned from hall-of-fame baseball player Chase Utley, consistency and touring, and so much more.
Please enjoy!
You can also listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast, Amazon Music, and on other podcast platforms.
Have a favorite quote? Let me know on Twitter!
- “Corduroy Pants” by the MLMs [YT, Spotify, AppleMusic]
- John Legend Las Vegas Residency
- Ben Oneill’s Website
- Shane Aaserud on Instagram
- Ahmad Jamal – “Autumn Leaves” – Palais des Congres Paris 2017
- Paul Bollenback
- Sting
- Nile Rogers
- Chase Utley
- Gov’t Mule
- “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James [YT, Spotify, AppleMusic]
- The MLMs [AppleMusic, Spotify]
- Wanda Sykes on Hot Ones
- Ben’s Recent EP: LIGHT Volume One: on Vinyl, Spotify, AppleMusic
- Broad Street Ministry
- Ben O’Neill – “The View” – Tiny Desk Entry 2023
- Ben’s Instagram Post of the Mini Q’s playing with Booker T and the MGs
- Seth Godin
- The Daily Stoic Podcast by Ryan Halliday
- The Psychology of Money book
- The Mini Qs [AppleMusic, Spotify]
- Booker T and the MG’s [AppleMusic, Spotify]
- Ahmad Jamal [AppleMusic, Spotify]
- Ray Charles [AppleMusic, Spotify]
- Luke Carlos O’Reilly, @lukecarlosoreilly
- Callie Graver
- Etta Jones [Spotify, AppleMusic]
- Otis Redding [Spotify, AppleMusic]