Cody Fry and Ben Rector have joined forces after selling out two sold-out shows at The Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra to bring their unparalleled acoustic performance to more stages. Combining Rector’s brilliant songwriting talent and extensive touring history with Fry’s live orchestral touch, their collaboration showcases both talents to significant effect.
Fry has produced an album that elevates popular music to orchestral heights, featuring songs reinterpreted from his back catalog, such as Audio: Cinema’s “Underground” and Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles.
1. Ben Rector
Ben Rector and Grammy nominee Cody Fry have come together for an extraordinary musical collaboration, selling out two shows at The Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra before coming together for their stunning orchestral indie rock show here in Minnesota. Their onstage chemistry radiates joy every time they perform; now Minnesota is receiving this breathtaking orchestral indie rock experience!
Ben Rector is a singer/songwriter known for blending folk-rock, romantic pop, and orchestral elements into passionate, emotive music infused with passion and emotion. His music expresses feelings about love, family, life experiences, and emotions through lyrics about love, loss, and loss. Rector has performed with various famous musicians such as Snoop Dogg from Dawes and Taylor Goldsmith from Dawes, as well as winning multiple awards along the way – originally hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, but currently living in Nashville.
Ben began performing music professionally by performing in coffee shops and small venues around Tulsa. Starting his writing at ten years old and later forming Euromart (an EP recording band with local shows), Ben decided to pursue music full-time as his career.
Ben Rector first made waves with his debut album, Into the Morning, back in 2010. Since then, his music has quickly garnered him an indie following and, eventually, Nashville. Brand New peaked at number 9 on Billboard 200, while Magic debuted at number one on the Americana/Folk Albums chart.
He has released several singles as well as albums. Additionally, he has appeared in multiple television shows and films; his music has amassed over one billion streams and has been used in over 100 television shows, ads, video games, and apps.
This year has seen him work hard on his upcoming album. In March, he recorded and performed “I Hear a Symphony,” his inaugural orchestral song, with a live orchestra in Nashville. Furthermore, he is planning an extensive tour featuring Cody Fry as his opening act.
This fall, they will bring their orchestral show to Minnesota, featuring both original and reimagined songs from their respective back catalogs, as well as a full orchestra and special guests.
Reimagined songs will include some from their previously released albums, such as “Better Than This” and “Photograph.” As well as performing original and cover tunes, two artists will also serve their acoustic songs as an encore performance. Tickets for the concert have already sold out, but more shows are currently planned in 2018. Tickets are on sale now.
2. Cody Fry
Cody Fry is an alumnus of Nashville’s Belmont University and a multi-instrumentalist and composer with a genre-spanning discography that spans the pop, country, and even symphonic music genres. Inspired by his father, who composed orchestral works, Fry’s love of full-scale music inspired him to write songs with cinematic arrangements; known for emotive melodies that convey profound emotions associated with human life, he made it as far as audition rounds for American Idol 14th Season before ultimately getting cut before making Top 40 cut!
Fry ignited TikTok audiences with his song, “I Hear a Symphony,” an engaging combination of popular harmony and vibrant orchestration that resonated well. Following its success, Fry followed up by performing live at the Kennedy Center as well as more releases such as the 2021 album Pictures of Mountains and 2023’s Symphonic, all highlighting his talent for creating melodies featuring orchestral instruments with love-inspired lyrics.
Fry showcases his talents even further by performing his original track with an orchestra in a new video. It captures all the same dramatic nuances found in his hit song, with mobile cameras moving from close-ups to aerial views to showcase all their talents. It starts as folky before growing into an orchestral masterpiece reminiscent of an epic movie score at times but never feeling excessive.
Cody and his NSO orchestra performed songs from both of their albums at The Fisher Center during an impressive concert that thrilled fans. They even included several covers of Shania Twain songs – such as their heartwarming version of “You’re Still the One.” Audience members cheered as Cody performed piano pieces alongside NSO, playing its captivating arrangements.
After the show, Cody talked about his goal to introduce young people to orchestra music and showed that it can be just as accessible and rewarding to learn an instrument such as a flute or violin. His goal is that eventually, with their support, Cody will tour with a symphony orchestra across America or even worldwide! Fry’s ambition is admirable, and we look forward to witnessing him bring this unique approach to stage performances in the future.
3. The Joy of Music – A Live Music Event at Ascend Amphitheater
Ben Rector and Cody Fry’s unique blend of indie pop/rock is being featured by an orchestrated performance for this exclusive event. Don’t miss this fantastic chance to experience two of Nashville’s premier artists performing their distinctive indie/pop sound!
Famous for their signature blend of pop music with folk and orchestral instruments, this duo has sold out two shows at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra and collaborated with notable musicians, including rapper Snoop Dogg, Grammy award-winning musician Dave Koz from folk-rock band Dawes Taylor Goldsmith from folk-rock band Dawes as well as One Voice Children’s Choir on YouTube. They recently released an album and short film, The Joy of Music, which brings seven songs alive through stunning cinematography.
Both projects serve as testaments to the power of music and its effect on people. Their respective genres collaborate beautifully in creating something truly memorable and demonstrate the necessity of taking risks to reach your goals and fulfill your ambitions.
Cody was raised in a musical household, which provided him with exposure to orchestration from an early age. This experience helped him craft his unique sound, which incorporates influences from various genres into an eclectic style that’s hard to find elsewhere in today’s music scene.
Cody is a multi-platinum selling artist with over one billion streams, having shared the stage with big names like Sam Hunt and David Matthews Band as well as appearing on shows like American Idol. Furthermore, he’s been recognized twice with Grand Prize awards from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
Cody also works as a composer and producer, creating music for national ad campaigns, apps, fashion events, and Vimeo-Staff-Picked short films, as well as using his skills to change our perception of classical music.
The Joy of Music Tour will visit various cities across the United States, including Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater. This 6,800-seat venue has hosted some of music’s biggest names, like Sam Hunt and Dave Matthews Band, in its past performances. Live Nation runs Ascend Amphitheater and features a variety of seating options, from lawn tickets to upper-level seats, in addition to offering a spacious bar and concessions area. Attending concerts at Ascend Amphitheater provides the ideal way to experience Nashville’s lively live music scene. Recently, Ascend Amphitheater has hosted performances by New Kids on the Block, Rod Stewart, Dierks Bentley, and Wiz Khalifa & Logic – to name but a few. Conveniently located within Nashville Riverfront Park’s Riverwalk Park area – easily accessible by car, rail, and bus – Ascend Amphitheater‘s Box Office also makes purchasing tickets easy – click here or come in person today.
