Ben reports he’ll be co-hosting with Hoda Kotb (pictured left) on the late-morning segment of NBC’s The Today Show on Friday, September 30. The show, which airs on the NBC-TV network from 10-11 AM Eastern time (but check your local listings), features the lighter side of its newsier early-morning cousin, with celebrity gossip, entertainment news, and segments such as cute baby contests. Now that Ben’s a mainstream TV celebrity as judge on the peacock network’s The Sing-Off, he’ll need to keep it clean for the daytime audience. Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda’s regular co-host, has been in Seattle working on a theatrical production. Update: In case you missed it, you can watch the show online. Ben said his drink of choice was a Gin & Tonic, and Tweeted “What the hell did I just do? after the show. (30 Sept 2011)
Check your papers and the TV
Ben co-hosting Today Show
Jackson Cannery for Japan
A special impromptu acoustic version of Jackson Cannery, with Ben playing guitar (and piano with his foot), was shown as part of the equally impromptu SXSW for Japan. The event, a 12-hour live stream of musical acts hosted by the rock band Hanson, is a benefit for relief aid to Japan and took place today (Saturday, March 20) at the annual South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. Funds raised will go to the Red Cross to help victims of the earthquakes and tsunamis that ravaged the country.
Ben on Bob Edwards Weekend
Ben will be one of the guests on the syndicated radio show Bob Edwards Weekend this weekend (November 6-7). The veteran public radio host discusses Lonely Avenue and other topics with Ben. The program can be heard in a variety of ways: local public radio stations (times vary by station), Sirius/XM Radio at 7AM Eastern time on Saturday, and online via iTunes podcast.
Photos up on National Geographic website
Ten of Ben’s recent photographs taken during his travels and at home are up on National Geographic’s website. The photos, which are part of NatGeoMusic’s Music on Photography series, show a variety of people and places, staged and candid, and are all black & white. Each picture tells a story in itself, and Ben adds commentary on each one to give the viewer additional perspective. He joins other musicians such as Neko Case and Andy Summers in the series showcasing photography by popular musicians.
WNYC stop on New York publicity swing
Ben and Nick are making several appearances in and around New York City this week, which included the Housing Works benefit show on Oct. 12. Today (Oct. 13) they appeared on public radio WNYC’s Soundcheck program with John Schaefer. Also as we previously reported, tomorrow night (Oct 14) Ben and Nick will appear on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, along with the road band (drummer Sam Smith, new bassist Ryan Leeman, and tambo guy Chad Chapin).
