TWR Listeners Lounge - Ben Cramer - Old Sea Brigade

We welcome to the Listeners Lounge musician Ben Cramer of the band Old Sea Brigade. Ben has been drawn to music nearly his entire life and took time to chat with us about his career thus far. In the way-back machine, he and some friends created a Green Day cover band as young teenagers. His music abilities grew and led him to a tour with the rock band, Kansas. Upon his return from his touring with them and others, Ben decided to refocus his efforts and created Old Sea Brigade. The band name had been conceived many years before, but had not yet been used. Working out of Nashville, Ben has seen his career grow incrementally and steadily and he would not have it any other way. He has a new album releasing in August of 2020 and hopes to be able to get back into the live performance as soon as possible. Movies, television and streaming: Walt really liked The Old Guard on Netflix starring Charlize Theron. He also mentioned some classics from the 80's -- Commando, The Naked Gun and Spaceballs. He said Commando and Spaceballs have not aged well, but The Naked Gun is still as funny as ever. Walt wraps up with a reminder of the remake, Midway, which Ben also said was a great flick. Ben got pulled into the documentary, World War II in Color. He also finds himself going back to binge epsiodes of The Office. He just saw (and liked) Being John Malkovich. Additionally, he admits he had avoided horror movies in his past, so he made himself watch The Shining and Silence of the Lambs. Alan was back to supporting older movies being released in the movie theaters. His recommendation was for The Empire Strikes Back, which just hit it's 40th anniversary. Alan also relayed having seen the Altanta Symphony Orchestra play the score live to the film and suggests everyone should do that one day. Music: Ben is listening to the new Neil Young release of some older pieces called, "Homegrown." He has also been listening to a lot of The Grateful Dead. This led to a conversation with Ben and Walt about The Dead and Dead and Company. Alan went in a different direction and mentioned the New Age group 2002. He also discussed playing the entire Rush discography, one album a night, after the passing of Neil Peart in January of this year. Podcasts: Walt does NOT recommend "Tuesdays with Stories" but loves "TV Confidential." Ben likes "Off Camera with Sam Jones," "The Working Songwriter," "Atlanta Monster," "S-Town" and "Wind of Change," which is about the CIA writing the hit song for the Scorpians. Alan suggests catching up on the new studio look of, "The Golden Rage of TV" with prior guest, Pat McCormack. He also suggested, "The Hitchcock Minute," which just finished.