Exclusive Ben Rue Q&A: From Riding The Combine to Signing To Arista/Sony & Releasing "I Can’t Wait (Be My Wife)”
Ben Rue has passed from riding the combine working at his family’s farm in Silverton – a small town in Oregon – to perform concerts all around the U.S and signing his first record deal with Arista/Sony. The rising 26-year-old country singer released earlier this year his debut single titled "I Can’t Wait (Be My Wife)” (read our review here) – produced by Randy Travis’ long-time collaborator Kyle Lehning. The song has been dubbed by many as “the wedding song for summer 2014”, and once you give it a listen, you will understand why. (Planning to propose soon? Use this song!).
Ben’s story is really interesting as his is an example of “when you heart tells you this way, follow it”. Even though he was a skilled baseball player - and that got him a scholarship to enter college - when the time came to make a decision, he opted to follow his other dream of being a recording artist and write songs where he could express his feelings and emotions - which otherwise, according to him, would be difficult in real life.
With the support of his family and closest friends, Ben Rue has reached far and is currently working on new projects and new music that fans will be able to listen in a near future.
We at Directlyrics.com caught up with Ben Rue not along ago for an exclusive interview where he talked of: his beginnings, choosing a career in music over baseball, auditioning for "The X Factor", his debut single "I Can’t Wait (Be My Wife)”, what his dream country collaboration would be, among many, many other things!
The Interview
1. You know your song “I Can't Wait (Be My Wife)” has potential to be the wedding song of the summer, don’t you? What would it mean to you that a guy proposes to his girlfriend using your song?
I’ve had several people send me videos of them proposing using this song. Every one of those make this whole experience worth it! It's an amazing feeling to be a part of such a special moment in someone’s life.
2. What do you look for in a girl?
Someone who’s smart, faithful, attractive, has good values, athletic, and a country girl. A girl who makes me a better person, and who can put me in my place if need be.
3. Your debut single was produced by Kyle Lehning – who is a close collaborator of Randy Travis. How exactly did you start working with Kyle? And what's your studio time with him been like? Has he taught you a lot?
My manager has been on the pop/rock side of the recording industry for years, and had a relationship with Kyle that dates back a long ways. After we settled on the idea of me recording this single, Kyle jumped on board and created the arrangement and the track.
Kyle is a seasoned veteran and I’ll take any opportunity I can to learn something!
4. “I Can't Wait (Be My Wife)” is such a moving country song. What made you connect with this song so much to pick it up as your first single?
To most people this is considered a “wedding” song. It cuts down to the basics of what true love really is and should be, simple. Although it is all of that, I believe there’s more. I think it can help give young couples, or singles, something to look forward to. It’s a reminder to someone who’s been married for 30 years why they fell in love in the first place. I wanted to be a part of such a potentially, impactful movement.
5. The music video has a homecoming theme. You are a US Marine returning home and after a long walk you meet your girlfriend. Where did you shoot this, and how did you come up with this treatment?
We filmed in Spring Hill, TN and Darrin Dickerson was the producer and the brains behind this whole video! He’s a very talented dude.
6. You recently signed to Sony/Arista. Congratulations! Tell us, how did this happen? And what did you feel and do the day you inked your signature on that contract?
Once we finished recording the single, my manager played it for a few people and it ended up in the hands of some people at Sony NY who thought we'd cut a hit. They took it to Sony Nashville, and because I already had a great relationship with the A&R people there, it was an easy choice to sign with the label.
I had to take a breath right before I signed the contract because it was such big moment that SO many people would die for. All the hard work over the prior years led to that very day. I made my lawyer take a video of the whole thing.
7. Are you currently working on a debut EP/album? How many songs have you recorded so far and what other producers have helped you?
I’ve always been, and will continue, writing for this first full album. Only the single has been recorded thus far and were waiting to make any further major movements.
8. I read that you're a talented song-writer. What is the song-writing process like for you? And, do you usually get inspired from things that have happened in your life?
I love to write stories about personal experiences. However, it’s the creative soul inside of me that doesn’t allow my lack of life experiences to cripple my imagination. That’s the cool thing about writing songs. You can choose any topic, with any spin you want!
9. You’re an Oregon guy, but you made the decision to move to Nashville to pursue your dream of a music career in country music. What are the things you miss the most from your hometown in Oregon, and what are a few that you love about Nashville?
I miss having a pond in our back yard and getting my hands dirty on the farm. I miss being able to take a breath on my front porch. But, obviously I miss family and friends the most.
I love the energy of Nashville. There is always so much to do and people constantly visit from all around the world.
10. When you were younger you said that wanted to either be a baseball star or a country singer as an adult. I read that you were very good at baseball actually, and that you got a baseball scholarship to enter college. What made you to ultimately make the life-changing decision to pursue music and leave baseball to the side? Did you ask family or friends for an opinion?
You never know if one decision is the correct one over another until you do it. I didn’t know at the time leaving baseball was best for me. However, if I hadn’t, all of this may have never happened so I can only thank God for allowing me the courage.
11. In trying to make it in the music business, you auditioned for “The X Factor” in 2012. I’ve seen a photo of one of your performances on your Facebook page. How far did you make it? And looking back, do you think an ‘X Factor’ career would have been the best for you?
I made the top 80 in Hollywood. Although I really did appreciate my time there and made many friends I still stay in touch with, I'm happy to have been let go when I did. It gave me more confidence to pick up and make the move to Nashville. It also gave me a lot of motivation, as well as good reflection time, having someone telling me I wasn’t quite good enough…yet.
12. You’ve been very busy this summer playing shows everywhere, opening for country stars such as Love and Theft and The Band Perry. How awesome are they in person?
I haven’t met a ton of celebrities in Nashville, but its nice to see the ones I have met are just as good people off stage as they are on. They truly appreciate where they’re at and how they got there.
13. What’s your favorite thing about performing live? And what’s the reaction been like from concert-goers to your music so far on the tour?
I love being a part of something people come to as a break from real life. Most are in a great mood and happy to be there, which makes me happy entertaining! As long as everyone in the crowd is smiling and having fun, I’ll be doing the same
14. If you had to pick one country star to record a collaboration with, who would that be, why, and how do you imagine your collaboration to be about/sound like?
Garth Brooks has so much passion and soul in his voice when he performs, I would LOVE to have the opportunity to work with him!
15. What are Ben Rue’s Top 5 songs of the moment?
Brett Eldridge - "Mean to Me"
Chris Young - "Who I Am With You"
Anything - "Jason Mraz"
Miranda Lambert - "Automatic"
Dustin Lynch - "Where It’s At"
16. Where are you answering this Q&A from and what’s your day been like?
I started answering them while I was working ground out in a tractor, but now finished back home!
17. Thank you so much for your time Ben! Best of luck with everything! Is there any last thing you’d like to tell our readers at Direct Lyrics?
Thank you to EVERYONE who’s helped push this song and me as an artist It's an exciting time for me, with the song on the radio, getting to tour around the country, and of course seeing your support on social media, be sure to follow me! @BenRueMusic THANK YOU Direct Lyrics and all of your fans!