Podcast Summary
Perseverance and success: Young musician Sheldon from South Africa faced skepticism in Key West but continued to pursue his passion for music, eventually finding success through determination and hard work.
Perseverance and determination can lead to success, even when faced with challenges. Sheldon, a young musician from South Africa, came to Key West at the age of 13 and was initially met with skepticism due to his accent and young age. Despite this, he continued to pursue his passion for music and eventually found success by playing shows and making memories on Duvall Street. This encounter between Sheldon and Kit Carson, the Earl of pizza, highlights the importance of staying true to one's dreams and continuing to put in the effort, even when faced with obstacles. It also showcases the vibrant and diverse community that exists in Key West, where individuals from all walks of life come together to share their talents and create lasting memories.
Serendipitous events, Meaningful relationships: Unexpected events and meeting the right people can significantly impact one's life trajectory and lead to meaningful relationships that shape one's journey
Serendipitous events and meeting the right people can significantly impact one's life trajectory. The speaker shares a story of how he ended up in Key West, Florida, at the age of 14, after his family left him there. He met Rob Benin, who became a mentor and adopted father figure to him, leading to the origin of his stage name, Benson. Seven years later, he recently moved to North Carolina for new opportunities and to take a break from the rigors of performing 600 shows a year. This experience underscores the importance of being open to unexpected opportunities and the role that meaningful relationships can play in shaping one's journey.
Musician's fondness for Wilmington, NC: Musician, who grew up surfing, enjoys quieter life in Wilmington, NC for its friendliness and film history, performing fewer shows (6-10/month) compared to 40 shows previously, and looks forward to surfing again.
The speaker, who is a musician, is currently residing in a quieter location in North Carolina but will still be performing live shows in the area. He mentioned his fondness for Wilmington, North Carolina, as it was once a popular location for filming TV shows, including "Dawson's Creek," and the locals are known for their friendliness. The musician grew up surfing and is excited to be able to surf again in North Carolina. He mentioned that he will be doing fewer shows, around six to ten a month, compared to the 40 shows he used to perform. The musician also mentioned his brother, Rob, who is currently on a country-wide tour and they have only played a few shows together as a duo. The musician expressed his enjoyment of the music scene in North Carolina and the Midwest, where Rob is currently touring.
Growth and expansion: Musician Sheldon Benson discusses his pride in bandmates' growth and his plans to focus more on recording and expanding reach. Emphasizes self-care and balance, and looks forward to new opportunities and experiences.
Growth and expansion are important, whether it be in music or other areas of life. Sheldon Benson expressed his pride in his bandmates' growth and his own plans to focus more on recording and expanding his reach beyond Key West. He also emphasized the importance of taking care of one's voice and finding balance to allow for recovery time. Additionally, he expressed his excitement for new opportunities and experiences, acknowledging the value of the past but looking forward to the future. It's a bittersweet moment as he prepares to leave Key West after seven years, but he remains optimistic and hopeful for what's to come. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of growth, self-care, and embracing new experiences.
Connecting with fans: As musicians grow older, they can enjoy new ways of connecting with fans beyond the stage, such as building a loyal fanbase through consistent performances and experiencing unique interactions.
The speaker's experience of growing up and performing in a band for the past seven years has been a whirlwind of constant performing and limited interaction with fans off-stage due to age restrictions. However, now that they are 21, they are able to connect with fans in a new way and enjoy the concert experience from a different perspective. One of their favorite experiences has been performing at Hank's Hair of the Dog for five years and building a loyal fanbase. The speaker also mentions having unique experiences with Rob and Kay Rush, but doesn't elaborate on what those experiences are. Overall, the speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to perform and connect with fans in new ways as they grow older.
Music scene resurgence: The music scene in the town has experienced a significant revival, attributed to its artistic heritage and the efforts of individuals like Rob.
The past five years have seen a significant increase in musical interest and opportunities in this town, with a high-quality music scene emerging. The speaker, who takes pride in consistency and never being late for shows, attributes this resurgence to Rob and the town's long-standing artistic heritage. Looking ahead, the speaker plans to spend the next year in North Carolina and become a new father at the age of 21, and while he's open to having more children, his wife may have other plans. This conversation highlights the vibrant music scene in the town and the speaker's personal growth and plans for the future. The speaker's commitment to his craft and staying true to his values, even amidst the ups and downs of the music industry, is a testament to his passion and dedication.
Work-Life Balance in Entertainment Industry: Making difficult personal sacrifices for career advancement can have significant financial and emotional consequences, but prioritizing personal happiness and fulfillment is important.
Balancing a home life and a career in the entertainment industry can be challenging, leading some individuals to prioritize their personal needs over their professional commitments. The speaker shares his experience of having to make a difficult decision that impacted his ability to have children, acknowledging the financial and emotional toll it took. Despite the demands of his career, he expresses contentment with his current life and goals, including performing in theaters and creating original content. The entertainment industry, particularly in the service sector, can require significant time and energy, making it difficult to maintain a work-life balance. Ultimately, the speaker values his personal happiness and contentment above career advancement, emphasizing the importance of finding fulfillment in one's current circumstances.
Musician success: Success for musicians isn't defined by crowd size, but by a dedicated fan base and progress towards original music goals, while balancing career and personal life.
For musicians, the size of the crowd or venue doesn't determine success. Even if an artist doesn't sell out a large amphitheater, they can still consider themselves successful if they have a dedicated fan base that sings along with them, no matter the size. However, it's essential for musicians to find a balance between their career and personal life, as the constant go-go-go can take a toll. Recording and performing original music is a worthwhile goal, and every step towards it, no matter how small, is progress. The musician in the conversation expressed contentment with performing for a small crowd but was excited about the recent release of original songs and the prospect of an East Coast tour.
Artist's gratitude and humility: Artists value audience engagement and appreciate opportunities to pursue their passions, recognizing the role of luck in their success. They encourage hard work and openness to opportunities.
Performing one's own music for an audience and experiencing their engagement and appreciation is an awe-inspiring feeling. The artist in this conversation expressed gratitude for the opportunity to make a living doing what he loves and shared his humility towards the role of luck in his success. He encouraged listeners to keep working hard and be open to opportunities. When asked a light-hearted question, he revealed his dream of being a barbecue chicken pizza - delicious and appreciated by many. Overall, the conversation highlighted the emotional connection between artists and their fans, and the importance of staying grounded and appreciative throughout the journey of success.
Food Preferences: The hosts, Tim and Sheldon, had a light-hearted conversation about their shared love for various types of food, with Sheldon expressing his fondness for salty foods. They appreciated each other's company and food choices, ending the episode by expressing gratitude to their audience.
During this episode of the show, the hosts, Tim and Sheldon, discussed their food preferences, with Sheldon being a guest on the show. They both expressed their love for various types of food, including pizza and Hawaiian dishes, with Sheldon mentioning his fondness for salty foods. The conversation was light-hearted and enjoyable, with the hosts expressing their appreciation for each other's company and food choices. The episode ended with the hosts expressing their gratitude to the audience for tuning in and encouraging them to follow Sheldon on his social media platforms. Overall, the discussion showcased the hosts' enthusiasm for food and their ability to connect with each other and their audience.