User:Panini!/sandbox5

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = maybe the real rector was the bens we made along the way

| image = Ben Rector at The Old Friends Acoustic Tour (2024) no15 (alt).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Rector in 2024

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|11|6}}

| birth_name = Benjamin Evans Rector

| birth_place = Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.

| instrument = {{hlist|Piano|guitar|vocals}}

| genre = {{hlist|Americana|pop|pop rock}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician}}

| years_active = 2006–present

| label = {{hlist|Aptly Named/Roar|OK Kid}}

| discography = Ben Rector discography

| website = {{URL|benrectormusic.com}}

| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Ben Rector Speaking at The Old Friends Acoustic Tour 2024.ogg|title=Ben Rector's voice|type=speech|description= Ben Rector answering the question "What is your go-to Chick-fil-A order?" at The Old Friends Acoustic Tour during a Q&A session
Recorded October 12, 2024}}

}}

Benjamin Evans Rector (born November 6, 1986) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is an independent artist, and releases music under his own label OK Kid Recordings. Rector's career has amassed almost 2 billion streams with RIAA Gold and RIAA Platinum certifications, including his 2015 album Brand New and 2018's Magic which both peaked at No.{{nbsp}}1 on Billboard US Folk and No. 2 on Billboard US Rock and US Indie charts. Since 2011's Something Like This, every studio album has debuted on the Billboard 200. His songs have received airplay on Hot AC, Top 40, Country, AAA, and Christian radio stations.

Rector has a dedicated fanbase, regularly performing sold-out shows at amphitheaters across the United States. In addition to album-backed tours he completed The Old Friends Acoustic Tour spanning 2020 to 2024, and a run of symphonic performances with Cody Fry in 2023 to 2024 that premiered with two sold out nights at the Kennedy Center. Throughout his career he has also toured in supporting slots for Dan + Shay, Needtobreathe, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Dave Barnes, among others. He is set to perform 26 live shows nationwide throughout 2025 in conjunction with his upcoming album, The Richest Man in the World, set to release this year on May 30.

Televised credits include appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Conan, The Today Show, Live With Kelly and Ryan, the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, The Kelly Clarkson Show, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, season 19 of American Idol as a celebrity mentor, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. His songs have appeared on more than 100 major television shows, ad campaigns, and movies. Rector's accolades include a GMA Dove Award for a choir production of his 2022 song "Joy" and a Daytime Emmy nomination for a performance of his 2018 song "Old Friends".

Personal life

Rector was born in south Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the son of Evans Rector, a banker, and Bette Rector, a psychologist. He has two sisters. He did not grow up in a musical household, although Evans was a fan of Steve Winwood and Rector became a fan of his work at a young age. He became interested in music in eighth grade, listening to the Star 103 radio station in Tulsa, which played music from the 1960s and 1970s; this is where grew fond of pop music.{{Cite web |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/10/13/ben-rector-knows-how-happy-without-sappy/91872662/ |title=Ben Rector knows how to be happy without sappy |date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=December 12, 2023 |website=Knox News |last=Bledsoe |first=Wayne |archive-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210213400/https://www.knoxnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/10/13/ben-rector-knows-how-happy-without-sappy/91872662/ |url-status=live }} The first song he learned on piano was the theme song of the animated television series Rugrats in the 1990s.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/events/2016/08/17/singer-ben-rector-tees-up/23350506007/ |title=Singer Ben Rector tees up for downtime after decade on tour, in studio |date=2016-08-17 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |last=Oller |first=Julia |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101194932/https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/events/2016/08/17/singer-ben-rector-tees-up/23350506007/ |url-status=live }}

He took some piano lessons as a child, and after being inspired by camp counselors at a summer camp who played acoustic guitar, he began learning the instrument at 16, which later led him to begin songwriting at 16.{{Cite web |url=https://www.houstonpress.com/music/things-to-do-singer-songwriter-ben-rector-performs-in-houston-11038569 |title=Ben Rector brings Magic to Houston |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=December 12, 2023 |website=Houston Press |last=Amar |first=John |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213020437/https://www.houstonpress.com/music/things-to-do-singer-songwriter-ben-rector-performs-in-houston-11038569 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector/ |title=Ben Rector |date=2024-01-14 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=American Songwriter |last=Schlansky |first=Evan |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120053045/https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector/ |url-status=live }} His first song, titled "Tonight", was an acoustic guitar piece about kissing a girl. Rector attended high school at Tulsa's Metro Christian Academy. One class he took was dedicated to praise and worship, which he credits as the beginning of his interest in music. Each week he was taught the technics of music, forming a set, and performing in a band.{{Cite web |url=https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector-shares-inspiration-behind-range-rover-on-pitch-list/ |title=Ben Rector Shares Inspiration Behind "Range Rover" on 'Pitch List' |date=2021-06-03 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=American Songwriter |last=Rowland |first=Delia |archive-date=January 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103234436/https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector-shares-inspiration-behind-range-rover-on-pitch-list/ |url-status=live }} Meanwhile he would also play music at his church.

Rector began learning how to sing after watching a performance by Ben Kilgore at his high school. He also formed a high school band, Euromart, for a Battle of the Bands competition hosted by newspaper Tulsa World. His first performance was at Cain's Ballroom. He would re-recruit Euromart to perform in the music video for his song "Old Friends" in 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://tulsaworld.com/old-friends-ben-rector-goes-down-memory-lane-before-hometown-show-at-brady-theater/article_e781b286-1aba-53e4-9d8f-6e31a6e80a5c.html |title=Old friends: Ben Rector goes down memory lane before hometown show at Brady Theater |date=October 21, 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Tulsa World |last=Tramel |first=Jimmie |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207205746/https://tulsaworld.com/old-friends-ben-rector-goes-down-memory-lane-before-hometown-show-at-brady-theater/article_e781b286-1aba-53e4-9d8f-6e31a6e80a5c.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/brandy-mcdonnell/2018/06/11/watch-rector-returns-oklahoma-hometown-plays-with-his-high-school-band-music-video-for-old-friends/60519559007/ |title=Watch: Ben Rector returns to Oklahoma hometown and plays with his high school band in music video for 'Old Friends' |date=June 10, 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=The Oklahoman |last=McDonnell |first=Brandy}} Throughout high school he would perform locally. He graduated from Tulsa's Metro Christian Academy in 2005 and resumed playing piano, and from the University of Arkansas in 2010 with a degree in business and marketing.{{Cite web|title=BYX to bring former member, singer for annual Island Party|url=https://tcu360.com/2011/09/09/13240byx-bring-former-member-singer-annual-island-party/|access-date=2022-09-08|website=TCU 360|date=9 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=October 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004001104/https://tcu360.com/2011/09/09/13240byx-bring-former-member-singer-annual-island-party/|url-status=live}}

Rector met his wife Hillary at the University of Arkansas their freshman year. They married in 2009 and relocated to Nashville shortly afterward.{{Cite web |url=https://hollywoodmask.com/p/ben-rector-wife.html |title=Ben Rector And Wife Hillary's Candid Reaction To Having Twins |date=2021-12-19 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Hollywood Mask |last=Chaudhary |first=Rakesh |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322094705/https://hollywoodmask.com/p/ben-rector-wife.html |url-status=live }} They had one daughter in 2017, Jane, and twin sons in 2020, Roy and Robert "Bert".{{Cite web |url=https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/podcast/121 |title=Episode 121: Storing Up Good Memories for Your Kids with Hillary and Ben Rector |date=2023-07-18 |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Raising Boys and Girls |last1=Sissy |first1=Goff |last2=Thomas |first2=David |last3=Trevathan |first3=Melissa |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125193754/https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/podcast/121 |url-status=live }} He is an avid golfer, playing at private clubs and notable golf courses while on the road, and competes actively in PGA golf tournaments.{{Cite web |title=Singer Ben Rector brings his clubs on tour—and it shows |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/singer-ben-rector-brings-his-clubs-on-tourand-it-shows |last=Flinch |first=Peter |date=2020-01-31 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Golf Digest}} Rector is a Christian.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ldsliving.com/ben-rector-learns-im-trying-to-be-like-jesus-for-ysa-cocert/s/12373 |title=Ben Rector learns ‘I’m Trying to Be like Jesus’ for YSA concert |date=2024-08-06 |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=LDSLiving |last=Tolk |first=Maddie |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902221505/https://www.ldsliving.com/ben-rector-learns-im-trying-to-be-like-jesus-for-ysa-cocert/s/12373 |url-status=live }}

Music career

=2006–2009: Early career=

File:Benrectorwikipediaprofile.jpg in 2010]]

Rector started seriously writing songs in college and began looking at it as something that needed to be practiced. He released his first musical effort, a self-titled extended play (EP), in 2006.{{Cite web |url=https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2013/04/03/ben-rector-isnt-in-a-hurry-to-release-his-new-album/ |title=Ben Rector isn't in a hurry to release his new album |date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Charleston City Paper |last=Parker |first=Chris |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328013737/https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2013/04/03/ben-rector-isnt-in-a-hurry-to-release-his-new-album/ |url-status=live }} After hearing about the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest he submitted a song from the EP, "Conversation"; Rector would win the grand prize in the Pop category, making him the youngest person to win the contest. His sophomore year he would attend classes in the weekdays and tour exclusively on the weekends, performing two to three shows a week. He would perform out of town, specifically anywhere within an 8-hour radius. Rector described his early impressions of the music industry as a "fish out of water"; he gained more confidence as he noticed that the people attending his performances were exclusively those he did not recognize, giving him hope that he could pursue a music career.{{Cite web |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2016-11-18-interview-ben-rector-shows-hometown-what-inspired-him-to-pursue-music/ |title=Interview: Ben Rector Shows Hometown & What Inspired Him To Pursue Music |date=November 18, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=iHeart |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180631/https://www.iheart.com/content/2016-11-18-interview-ben-rector-shows-hometown-what-inspired-him-to-pursue-music/ |url-status=live }} A particular moment of clarity came when he performed at the Cambridge Room in Dallas, Texas to a sold-out crowd of 350 people, exclusively fans.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pancakesandwhiskey.com/2015/09/03/ben-rector-low-expectations-high-hopes/ |title=Ben Rector: Low Expectations, High Hopes |date=September 3, 2015 |access-date=December 12, 2023 |website=Pancakes and Whiskey |last=Soule |first=Hannah |archive-date=July 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703180710/http://pancakesandwhiskey.com/2015/09/03/ben-rector-low-expectations-high-hopes/ |url-status=live }}

Rector released Twenty Tomorrow in 2007,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ben-rector-is-a-gimmick-free-pop-nobody-467318/ |title=Ben Rector Is a Gimmick Free Pop 'Nobody' |date=September 25, 2011 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |last=Mitchell |first=Gail |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119230227/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ben-rector-is-a-gimmick-free-pop-nobody-467318/ |url-status=live }} his first full-length studio album.{{Cite web |url=https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector-range-rover-song-interview/ |title=Ben Rector Stretches His Creative Wings With "Range Rover" |date=May 21, 2021 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=American Songwriter |last=Scott |first=Jason |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912235244/https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector-range-rover-song-interview/ |url-status=live }} His second album, Songs That Duke Wrote, released in 2008. In April 2009, he was given the Northwest Arkansas Music Award (NAMA) for best male singer-songwriter.{{Cite web |last=Bartholomew |first=Dustin |date=April 24, 2009 |title=The 2009 NAMA Winners |url=http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2009/04/24/the-2009-nama-winners/ |access-date=September 5, 2015 |website=Fayetteville Flyer |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921031811/http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2009/04/24/the-2009-nama-winners/ |url-status=live }}

=2010–2014: ''Into the Morning'', ''Something Like This'' and ''The Walking in Between''=

{{Main|Into the Morning|Something Like This|The Walking in Between}}

File:Ben Rector at Old Rock House in 2013 (cropped).jpg

Rector's third studio album, Into the Morning, was released on February 16, 2010, and shortly afterward he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee after graduation. Rector was particularly drawn to Nashville for its atmosphere and high level of music activity.{{Cite web |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2013-11-06/walking-in-between-ben-rector/ |title=Walking In Between: Ben Rector |date=2013-11-06 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The Austin Chronicle |last=Harries Graham |first=William |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122220902/https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2013-11-06/walking-in-between-ben-rector/ |url-status=live }} Into the Morning was his first album to perform on the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 11 on the Top Heatseekers.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467318/ben-rector-is-a-gimmick-free-pop-nobody|title=Ben Rector|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=July 9, 2015|archive-date=July 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704032905/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467318/ben-rector-is-a-gimmick-free-pop-nobody|url-status=live}}. Following the release, he co-headlined the Three Amigos Tour with Steve Moakler and Andrew Ripp. The rest of 2010 brought support slots with Dave Barnes and Five for Fighting, and The Beat Lives Forever co-headline tour with Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. In early 2011, he performed on the VH1 Best Cruise Ever with artists including Train, The Script, Colbie Caillat, and Lifehouse.{{Cite web |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=14421165&itype=storyID |title=VH1 Best Cruise Ever, featuring Train, Lifehouse, Colbie Caillat, The Script, setting sail soon |date=April 5, 2011 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926020534/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=14421165&itype=storyID |url-status=live }}

Something Like This released just one year after Into the Morning, on September 13, 2011.{{Cite news |title=Urban Tulsa Weekly |url=https://www.calameo.com/read/0012353479b90a1db3db1 |page=40 |last=Hizer |first=G.K. |date=2012-03-22 |issue=39 |volume=21 |access-date=2024-01-12 |archive-date=2024-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112020304/https://www.calameo.com/read/0012353479b90a1db3db1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.melodic.net/news/ben-rector-confirms-tour-new-song |title=Ben Rector Confirms Tour + New Song |date=2011-11-18 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Melodic |last=Wippsson |first=Johan |archive-date=2024-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120175615/http://www.melodic.net/news/ben-rector-confirms-tour-new-song |url-status=live }} It was his first album to appear on the Billboard 200.{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2011-10-01/ |title=Billboard 200: Week of October 1, 2011 |date=2011-10-01 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Billboard |archive-date=2023-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709181725/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2011-10-01/ |url-status=live }} Throughout September 2011 Rector toured in association with Something Like This with The Good Time Tour, performing in over 25 cities. Rector was spotlighted by Amazon via their "Artist On The Rise" program throughout October and November in 2011. "She Is", the seventh song on the album, was covered by Lady Antebellum on their 2014 album 747.{{Cite web |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2014/09/29427-story-behind-song-lady-antebellum |title=Story Behind The Song: Lady Antebellum "She Is" |date=2014-09-24 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Roughstock |last=Bjorke |first=Matt |archive-date=2024-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103232232/http://roughstock.com/news/2014/09/29427-story-behind-song-lady-antebellum |url-status=live }}

Produced by Rector, Jamie Kenney and Charlie Peacock, 2013's The Walking in Between was the first release on Rector's own Aptly Named Recordings label, which released on August 20, 2013. He toured 32 cities for the album with The Walking in Between Tour throughout October 2013.{{Cite web |url=http://www.melodic.net/news/ben-rector-announces-details-of-the-walking-in-between-tour |title=Ben Rector Announces Details Of The Walking In Between Tour |date=2013-07-17 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Melodic |last=Wippson |first=Johan |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123000454/http://www.melodic.net/news/ben-rector-announces-details-of-the-walking-in-between-tour |url-status=live }} "Beautiful" was highlighted by iTunes via their Single of the Week promotion in July 2013, and Live Nation Entertainment selected Rector for their "One's to Watch" program, two achievements that further advanced Rector's career.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bestnewbands.com/breaking-news/ben-rectors-beautiful-is-the-itunes-single-of-the-week/ |title=Ben Rector's "Beautiful" is the iTunes Single of the Week |date=2013-07-23 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Best New Bands |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123003121/http://www.bestnewbands.com/breaking-news/ben-rectors-beautiful-is-the-itunes-single-of-the-week/ |url-status=live }} In 2014, Rector briefly took a break from songwriting to front the Huey Lewis and the News cover band Newy Lewis and the Hues,{{Cite news |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Ben Rector brings 'Magic' to Memorial Auditorium |publisher=Chattanooga Times Free Press |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/chattanooganow/music/story/2019/mar/20/ben-rector-brings-magic-town/490919/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902220934/https://comment.instiengage.com/live/comments/api/page?pageTitle=Ben%20Rector%20brings%20%27Magic%27%20to%20Memorial%20Auditorium%20%7C%20Chattanooga%20Times%20Free%20Press&enableNewAuthFlow=true&siteUUID=49574347-66c9-4d07-a238-4ddd37f67fde&integrationId=3c1a0856-fe4c-4159-9a0f-4167b662df51&extPageId=2900012&contentId=5b095377-873e-410d-a4c5-cd2414731a92&sessionUUID=aa452b0a-55cf-434b-adf5-bcddb293731b&cookieId=aa452b0a-55cf-434b-adf5-bcddb293731b&frameUuid=453aa4bd-fdd5-402d-b726-e7fc2a516642&pageUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesfreepress.com%2Fnews%2F2019%2Fmar%2F20%2Fben-rector-brings-magic-town%2F |url-status=live }} releasing a three-song EP on August 8, 2014, singing and recording all parts.{{cite web |last1=Millice |first1=Dan |title=Mastering Ben Rector's "Newy Lewis And The Hues" |url=https://danmillicemastering.com/mastering-ben-rectors-newy-lewis-and-the-hues/ |website=Dan Millice Mastering |access-date=September 11, 2023 |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610151801/https://danmillicemastering.com/mastering-ben-rectors-newy-lewis-and-the-hues/ |url-status=live }}

=2015–2017: ''Brand New''=

File:Ben Rector at NAMM 1 25 2014 -1 (12243193545) (cropped).jpg

File:Ben Rector Performing a Live Performance at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles.jpg

Rector toured with Needtobreathe, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, and Colony House for the first leg of the "Tour De Compadres" tour in early 2015.{{Cite web |title=Tour Dates |url=http://www.needtobreathe.com/tour |access-date=February 8, 2016 |website=needtobreathe Official Website |archive-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731040917/http://www.needtobreathe.com/tour |url-status=live }}

Rector released his sixth studio album, Brand New, on August 28, 2015, via Aptly Named Recordings. Brand New was notably successful for Rector, becoming his first album to enter the top 10 on the Billboard 200, with its lead single "Brand New" peaking at No. 89 on the Hot 100. "Brand New" was RIAA-certified gold in 2020, and certified platinum in 2023. To support the commercial success he would spend two years touring for the album. The first tour, The Brand New Tour, spanned two legs from 2015 to 2016. It was commercially successful, having 15 sold-out shows in the first leg and selling over 41,000 tickets.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/brandy-mcdonnell/2019/03/08/interview-and-video-tulsa-native-ben-rector-returns-to-home-state-for-sold-out-okc-shows/60468718007/ |title=Interview and video: Tulsa native Ben Rector returns to home state for sold-out OKC shows |date=2019-03-08 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=The Oklahoman |last=McDonnell |first=Brandy |archive-date=2024-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131022015/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/brandy-mcdonnell/2019/03/08/interview-and-video-tulsa-native-ben-rector-returns-to-home-state-for-sold-out-okc-shows/60468718007/ |url-status=live }} He followed the tour with The Biggest Tour I Have Done So Far Tour, aptly named, which featured an additional 20 dates and spanned the rest of 2016.{{Cite web |url=https://www.digitaltourbus.com/news/ben-rector-announces-biggest-tour-done-far-u-s-tour/#google_vignette |title=Ben Rector Announces "The Biggest Tour I Have Done So Far Tour" |date=2016-06-24 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Digital Tour Bus |archive-date=2024-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130004125/https://www.digitaltourbus.com/news/ben-rector-announces-biggest-tour-done-far-u-s-tour/#google_vignette |url-status=live }} Touring for Brand New was 73 performances in total.{{Cite web |url=https://shorefire.com/releases/entry/ben-rector-national-headlining-magic-the-tour |title=Ben Rector announces national headlining tour "Magic: The Tour" |date=2018-06-11 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Shore Fire Media |last1=Evenson |first1=Andrea |last2=Shapiro |first2=Rebecca |archive-date=2024-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131022048/https://shorefire.com/releases/entry/ben-rector-national-headlining-magic-the-tour |url-status=live }}

In January 2016, he was picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2016 |title=Video: Ben Rector to perform on 'Today,' play first show at Oklahoma City's The Criterion |work=NewsOK.com |url=https://newsok.com/article/5472344/video-ben-rector-to-perform-on-today-play-first-show-at-oklahoma-citys-the-criterion |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125193754/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/brandy-mcdonnell/2016/01/14/video-ben-rector-to-perform-on-today-play-first-show-at-oklahoma-citys-the-criterion/60698801007/ |url-status=live }} and was featured on NBC's Today show where he performed "Brand New", which initially received airplay on Sirius XM's The Pulse in September 2015.{{Cite news |title=Ben Rector performs 'Brand New' on Today |work=today.com |url=https://www.today.com/video/ben-rector-performs-brand-new-on-today-609107011548 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801220921/https://www.today.com/video/ben-rector-performs-brand-new-on-today-609107011548 |url-status=live }} He co-headlined The Rock Boat in 2017,{{Cite web |title=Past Lineups |url=https://www.therockboat.com/history/lineup/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=therockboat.com |archive-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522211853/http://www.therockboat.com/history/lineup/ |url-status=live }} and supported Tim McGraw and Faith Hill on their 2017 Soul2Soul Tour.{{Cite web |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |title=Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Reveal Opening Acts For 2017 Soul2Soul Tour |url=https://musicrow.com/2017/01/tim-mcgraw-faith-hill-reveal-opening-acts-for-2017-soul2soul-tour/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=Music Row |date=February 2017 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926054633/https://musicrow.com/2017/01/tim-mcgraw-faith-hill-reveal-opening-acts-for-2017-soul2soul-tour/ |url-status=live }}

=2018–2021: ''Magic'' and ''A Ben Rector Christmas''=

On June 22, 2018, Rector released his seventh studio album, Magic, his first with his founded label OK Kid Recordings.{{Cite news |last=Whitmore |first=Laura B. |title=Exclusive Premiere: Listen Now to Ben Rector's Energetic New Song, 'Drive' |work=Parade |url=https://parade.com/675363/laurawhitmore/exclusive-premiere-listen-now-to-ben-rectors-energetic-new-song-drive/ |access-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801220909/https://parade.com/675363/laurawhitmore/exclusive-premiere-listen-now-to-ben-rectors-energetic-new-song-drive/ |url-status=live }} Rector toured for Magic with Magic: The Tour, a headlining tour spanning 28 dates, beginning on September 19, 2018, to November 17, 2018. A second leg was performed that continued into mid 2019.{{Cite web |last=Shotwell |first=James |date=May 15, 2019 |title=Live Review: Ben Rector brings a little 'Magic' to Kalamazoo |url=https://substreammagazine.com/2019/03/ben-rector-pulls-off-the-greatest-magic-trick-during-kalamazoo-performance/ |access-date=July 2, 2019 |website=Substream Magazine |archive-date=July 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702222159/https://substreammagazine.com/2019/03/ben-rector-pulls-off-the-greatest-magic-trick-during-kalamazoo-performance/ |url-status=live }} A live album, Magic: Live From the USA, was recorded during Magic: The Tour in various locations and was released on June 21, 2019.{{Cite web |title=MAGIC: Live From the USA by Ben Rector |url=https://genius.com/albums/Ben-rector/Magic-live-from-the-usa |access-date=July 8, 2019 |website=Genius |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708210735/https://genius.com/albums/Ben-rector/Magic-live-from-the-usa |url-status=live }} Also in 2019, Rector was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Performance for his appearance on Pickler and Ben in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Montgomery |first=Daniel |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Daytime Emmy winners 2019: Full list of Creative Arts winners on Friday night |url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2019/daytime-emmy-winners-creative-arts-full-list-news/ |access-date=July 8, 2019 |website=GoldDerby |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725022154/https://www.goldderby.com/article/2019/daytime-emmy-winners-creative-arts-full-list-news/ |url-status=live }}

Rector announced The Old Friends Acoustic Tour featuring Cody Fry in late 2019.{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2019 |title=Ben Rector announces 'The Old Friends Acoustic Tour' with special guest Cody Fry |publisher=Fox16 |url=https://www.fox16.com/news/ben-rector-announces-the-old-friends-acoustic-tour-with-special-guest-cody-fry/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113120827/https://www.fox16.com/news/ben-rector-announces-the-old-friends-acoustic-tour-with-special-guest-cody-fry/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://musicrow.com/2022/03/ben-rector-talks-chicken-sandwiches-overcoming-his-fear-of-failure-his-newfound-joy-interview/ |title=Ben Rector Talks Chicken Sandwiches, Overcoming His Fear Of Failure & His Newfound Joy [Interview] |date=2022-03-22 |access-date=2023-09-04 |website=MusicRow |last=Farthing |first=Lydia |archive-date=2023-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905003024/https://musicrow.com/2022/03/ben-rector-talks-chicken-sandwiches-overcoming-his-fear-of-failure-his-newfound-joy-interview/ |url-status=live }} He began touring for the tour in February 2020; At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic had become a national threat in the United States, and lockdowns had begun to take effect. He had flown to perform a show in Dallas, Texas, but was forced to return home.{{Cite web |url=https://www.greatsongpodcast.com/old-friends-w-ben-rector-episode-809-4th-anniversary-episode/ |title=Old Friends (w Ben Rector) |date=2021-10-06 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=The Good Song Podcast |last=Alley |first=Rob |archive-date=2023-06-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604035938/https://www.greatsongpodcast.com/old-friends-w-ben-rector-episode-809-4th-anniversary-episode/ |url-status=live }} The first distributed project from this period was a single, "It Would Be You", written with John Fields and Jordy Searcy the day after returning home from the tour.{{cite web |last1=Carias |first1=Beatriz |date=September 9, 2020 |title=It Would Be You With Ben Rector |url=https://tonightmag.com/2020/09/09/it-would-be-you-with-ben-rector/ |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=Tonight Mag |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915045909/https://tonightmag.com/2020/09/09/it-would-be-you-with-ben-rector/ |url-status=live }} In October 2020, Rector released an acoustic version of the song featuring Ingrid Michaelson.{{Cite web |url=https://www.secretroad.com/latest/ben-rector-and-ingrid-michaelson-release-it-would-be-you-acoustic |title=Ben Rector and Ingrid Michaelson Release "It Would Be You (Acoustic)" |date=2020-10-02 |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Secret Road Music Services |archive-date=2023-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918234449/https://www.secretroad.com/latest/ben-rector-and-ingrid-michaelson-release-it-would-be-you-acoustic |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anniereuter/2022/03/14/ben-rector-rediscovers-the-joy-of-music-on-new-album/ |title=Ben Rector Rediscovers 'The Joy Of Music' On New Album |date=2022-03-14 |access-date=2023-09-04 |website=Forbes |last=Reuter |first=Annie |archive-date=2023-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904230002/https://www.forbes.com/sites/anniereuter/2022/03/14/ben-rector-rediscovers-the-joy-of-music-on-new-album/ |url-status=live }} Throughout the pandemic, most of his next album would be rewritten from scratch.

In November 2020, Rector debuted “The Thanksgiving Song”, that celebrates the holiday Thanksgiving,{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Sarah |date=November 17, 2021 |title=Passion Meets Purpose #17: The Thanksgiving Song with Ben Rector |url=https://onpurposely.com/passion-meets-purpose-17-the-thanksgiving-song-with-ben-rector/ |access-date=September 14, 2023 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002213549/https://onpurposely.com/passion-meets-purpose-17-the-thanksgiving-song-with-ben-rector/ |url-status=live }} alongside the release of his holiday album A Ben Rector Christmas, a collection covering six classic Christmas songs. The album was followed by an additional rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the next year.{{cite web |last1=Hancock |first1=Amanda |date=December 3, 2020 |title='I'm a Christmas man:' Ben Rector discusses his brand new Christmas album |url=https://gazette.com/arts-entertainment/music/im-a-christmas-man-ben-rector-discusses-his-brand-new-christmas-album/article_7876d5b0-2924-11eb-a9d3-2bb00acda6f4.html |access-date=September 14, 2023 |website=The Gazette |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002213607/https://gazette.com/arts-entertainment/music/im-a-christmas-man-ben-rector-discusses-his-brand-new-christmas-album/article_7876d5b0-2924-11eb-a9d3-2bb00acda6f4.html |url-status=live }} His next album was completed by December 2020, but he held off on releasing it until he could continue touring again.{{Cite web |url=https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector-releases-new-years-eve-song-the-best-is-yet-to-come/ |title=Ben Rector Releases New Year's Eve Song "The Best Is Yet to Come" |date=2021-12-10 |access-date=2023-09-04 |website=American Songwriter |last=Benitez-Eves |first=Tina |archive-date=2023-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905003425/https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector-releases-new-years-eve-song-the-best-is-yet-to-come/ |url-status=live }} On May 21, 2021, he released the single "Range Rover", which features musician Steve Winwood playing the Hammond organ. Winwood is one of Rector’s musical heroes and was originally named in the song's lyrics before agreeing to take part in its composition as well.{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Jason |title=Ben Rector Stretches His Creative Wings With “Range Rover” |url=https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector-range-rover-song-interview/ |website=American Songwriter |access-date=11 September 2023 |date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912235244/https://americansongwriter.com/ben-rector-range-rover-song-interview/ |url-status=live }}

=2022–2023: ''The Joy of Music''=

File:Ben Rector at The Old Friends Acoustic Tour (2024) no9.jpg

On March 11, 2022, Rector released his eighth studio album, The Joy of Music.{{cite web |last1=Reuter |first1=Annie |title=Ben Rector Rediscovers ‘The Joy Of Music’ On New Album |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anniereuter/2022/03/14/ben-rector-rediscovers-the-joy-of-music-on-new-album/?sh=65dd5fd24b62 |website=Forbes |access-date=11 September 2023 |date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915045906/https://www.forbes.com/sites/anniereuter/2022/03/14/ben-rector-rediscovers-the-joy-of-music-on-new-album/?sh=65dd5fd24b62 |url-status=live }} The project features Snoop Dogg, Dave Koz, Kenny G, and Taylor Goldsmith and a short film created in conjunction with the record. In the film, Rector is led through seven songs from the album with associated cinematography by "Joy", a muppet monster created in collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Curtis |title=Ben Rector's 'The Joy Of Music' Is His Most Vibrant, Sonically Diverse Work Yet |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ben-rector-the-joy-of-music-review_n_622a6595e4b0d1329e825124 |website=HuffPost |access-date=11 September 2023 |date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915045906/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ben-rector-the-joy-of-music-review_n_622a6595e4b0d1329e825124 |url-status=live }} Rector embarked on his headlining tour, The Joy of Music: Live Tour, in May 2022 with support from JP Saxe, Jake Scott, Jordy Searcy, and Stephen Day. A year later, on June 16, 2023, Ben released a 14-song live album ‘Live In Atlanta’ with songs heard and recorded on this tour.{{cite web |last1=Hollabaugh |first1=Lorie |title=Ben Rector Plots ‘The Joy Of Music: Live Tour’ For May |url=https://musicrow.com/2022/01/ben-rector-plots-the-joy-of-music-live-tour-for-may/ |website=Music Row |access-date=11 September 2023 |date=28 Jan 2022 |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905003024/https://musicrow.com/2022/01/ben-rector-plots-the-joy-of-music-live-tour-for-may/ |url-status=live }}

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Rector resumed touring for The Old Friends Acoustic Tour, performing an additional 27 shows in 2023 and two more the following year.{{Cite web |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/talk-of-the-town/ben-rector-cody-fry-perform-alongside-the-nashville-symphony |title=Ben Rector & Cody Fry perform alongside the Nashville Symphony |date=2024-06-26 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=News Channel 5 Nashville |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902220952/https://www.newschannel5.com/talk-of-the-town/ben-rector-cody-fry-perform-alongside-the-nashville-symphony |url-status=live }} He continued his collaboration with Cody Fry, appearing with orchestras around the country including the National Symphony (conducted by Steven Reineke),{{cite web |title=Ben Rector and Cody Fry with the Nashville Symphony|url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/video/digital-stage/popular-music/2023/ben-rector-cody-fry/|publisher=National Symphony Orchestra}} the Nashville Symphony,{{cite web |title=Ben Rector and Cody Fry with the Nashville Symphony|url=https://www.nashvillesymphony.org/tickets/concert/2023-2024-season/ben-rector-cody-fry-live-with-the-nashville-symphony/|publisher=Nashville Symphony}} the Pacific Symphony,{{cite web|title=Ben Rector and Cody Fry with the Pacific Symphony|url=https://www.pacificsymphony.org/_px/_pdf/_files/1713402847pdf_23-24_Ben_Rector_Cody_Fry.pdf|publisher=Pacific Symphony|access-date=2025-03-03|archive-date=2025-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225025113/https://www.pacificsymphony.org/_px/_pdf/_files/1713402847pdf_23-24_Ben_Rector_Cody_Fry.pdf|url-status=live}} the Dallas Symphony (conducted by Enrico Lopez-Yañez),{{cite web|title=Ben Rector and Cody Fry with the Dallas Symphony|url=https://www.dallassymphony.org/productions/ben-rector-and-cody-fry/|publisher=Dallas Symphony|access-date=2025-03-03|archive-date=2025-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225025111/https://www.dallassymphony.org/productions/ben-rector-and-cody-fry/|url-status=live}} the Minnesota Orchestra (conducted by Sarah Hicks),{{cite web |title=Ben Rector and Cody Fry |url=https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/tickets/calendar/2324/live/ben-rector-and-cody-fry-with-the-minnesota-orchestra?url=%2Ftickets%2Fcalendar%2F2324%2Flive%2Fben-rector-and-cody-fry-with-the-minnesota-orchestra%2F|publisher=Minessota Orchestra}} and the Cincinnati Pops, among others.{{cite web|title=Cincinnati Pops Announces Ben Rector and Cody Fry Live|url=https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/about/press-room/press-releases/announcing-ben-rector--cody-fry-live-with-the-cincinnati-pops-orchestra/|publisher=Cincinnati Symphony|access-date=2025-03-03|archive-date=2024-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812064918/https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/about/press-room/press-releases/announcing-ben-rector--cody-fry-live-with-the-cincinnati-pops-orchestra/|url-status=live}}

Since The Joy of Music Rector released several individual singles and collaborations. On August 5, 2022, Rector released "What Makes a Man", a single featuring Thomas Rhett, which discusses introspection relating to manliness and fatherhood. He performed the song as part of his Grand Ole Opry debut on August 9, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Rector |first1=Ben |title=Ben Rector Makes His Grand Ole Opry Debut! All the Behind-the-Scenes Photos |url=https://people.com/music/ben-rector-grand-ole-opry-debut/ |website=People |access-date=11 September 2023 |date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915045906/https://people.com/music/ben-rector-grand-ole-opry-debut/ |url-status=live }} In March 2023, he and country musician Terri Clark performed a duet for her song "Now That I Found You" for her album Take Two.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/terri-clark-take-two-album-collaborations-kelly-clarkson-lainey-wilson-1235643530/|title=Terri Clark Welcomes Kelly Clarkson, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and More For 'Take Two' Collaborative Album: Exclusive|first=Jessica|last=Nicholson|date=29 March 2024|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=4 April 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402210101/https://www.billboard.com/music/country/terri-clark-take-two-album-collaborations-kelly-clarkson-lainey-wilson-1235643530/|url-status=live}} On September 1, 2023, Rector collaborated with The Choir Room—a Nashville based choir collective—to release an alternate version of "Joy", which won a GMA Dove Award in July 2024.{{cite web |last1=Rector |first1=Ben |title=2024 Nominees |url=https://doveawards.com/awards/2024-nominees/ |website=Dove Awards |access-date=26 July 2024 |date=26 July 2024 |archive-date=July 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727035951/https://doveawards.com/awards/2024-nominees |url-status=live }}

= 2024–present: ''The Richest Man in the World'' =

On February 2, 2024, Rector released a cover of "It's a Great Day to Be Alive" by Darrell Scott, a song he played every show throughout the 2023 revival of The Old Friends Acoustic Tour.{{Cite tweet |number=1753437662369767643 |user=benrector |title="It's A Great Day To Be Alive" (Live From The Ryman) is out now. We played this song every night on the acoustic tour (cowboy hats and all) and got enough requests to release it that we decided to do just that! Go check it out at http://ffm.to/greatdayryman. Hope you guys are doing well.}} In March 2024 Rector released "Color Up My World" featuring country musician Hailey Whitters.{{Cite web |title=Whitters, Rector join forces to "Color Up My World" |url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=13653 |access-date=March 15, 2024 |website=Countrystandardtime.com |archive-date=May 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526022241/https://countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=13653 |url-status=live }} Rector wrote the song knowing he and Whitters were scheduled to open for Dan + Shay in the spring of 2024 with their Heartbreak On the Map Tour, and the two would duet the song live throughout it;{{cite web |last1=Rector |first1=Ben |title=Dan + Shay Announce 2024 Heartbreak on the Map Tour Ahead of New Album Release |url=https://doveawards.com/awards/2024-nominees/ |website=Dove Awards |access-date=26 July 2024 |date=26 July 2024 |archive-date=July 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727035951/https://doveawards.com/awards/2024-nominees |url-status=live }} the song also received airplay on Sirius XM and The Bobby Bones Show.{{Cite Instagram/sandbox |postid=C5gTSXegzRd |user=ben_rector |title=LMK if you hear Color Up My World on @siriusxm! |date=2024-04-08}}{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector & Hailey Whitters Perform Their New Collaboration |url=https://bobbybones.iheart.com/featured/bobby-bones/content/2024-03-25-ben-rector-hailey-whitters-perform-their-new-collaboration/ |last=Smith |first=Lauren |date=2024-03-25 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The Bobby Bones Show}} On July 12, 2024, Rector released ‘Wreck’, a contemplative song about the life-changing results and gratitude of having children.{{Cite tweet |number=1812844427171291349 |user=benrector |title=This song is out now, go listen to it. Or don’t, it’s whatever you want to do really.}}

Rector's upcoming release, The Richest Man in the World—dubbed by Rector as a "new era" in his music career—is set to release on May 30, 2025. Three songs from the album were pre-released on November 15, 2024. An associated full band tour, The Richest Man in the World Tour, will also coincide with the album's release and will span 26 dates throughout 2025.{{Cite web |title=Indie musician Ben Rector stopping in Indianapolis on 2025 tour |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/entertainment/music/indie-musician-ben-rector-announces-2025-tour-stop-indianapolis-indiana-everwise-amphitheater-white-river-state-park-concert-music/531-04712341-55fd-4b28-bbcc-2cc04495e281 |last=Sergio |first=Arianna |date=2024-11-18 |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=WTHR}}

Artistry

=Musical styles and themes=

File:Panini Placeholder.png]

Rector's music is dominantly within the pop genre, typically blending additional themes of rock and folk music. Many of Rector's songs are piano-driven.{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-rector-mn0002536650 |title=Ben Rector - AllMusic |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=AllMusic |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502022030/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ben-rector-mn0002536650 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ben-rector-playlist-takeover-tuesday-8472646/ |title=Takeover Tuesday Playlist: Ben Rector Showcases His Diverse Tastes With Shania Twain, Lil Dicky & More |date=2018-08-08 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Billboard |last=Weatherby |first=Taylor |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831215611/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ben-rector-playlist-takeover-tuesday-8472646/ |url-status=live }} Songs such as "Extraordinary Magic" and "Love Like This" are centered around the piano with orchestrated backing, while "Making Money" is exclusively raw piano. Various influences for his music style include but are not limited to James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Randy Newman, Huey Lewis and the News, and Steve Winwood.{{Cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/06/29/playlist-whats-ben-rector-listening/739463002/ |title=Playlist: What's Ben Rector listening to? |date=2018-06-29 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=USA Today |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918091004/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/06/29/playlist-whats-ben-rector-listening/739463002/ |url-status=live }}

Lyrics frequently discuss themes of love, faith, and personal assessment and growth. Songs about love describe those that are true and long-lasting; songs from The Walking in Between were described as "wedding standards" by The Washington Post.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/ben-rector-album-review-the-walking-in-between/2013/10/23/5eefbc1e-36a7-11e3-8a0e-4e2cf80831fc_story.html |title=Ben Rector Album Review: 'The Walking in Between' |date=2013-10-23 |access-date=2024-01-26 |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Jenkins |first=Mark |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802012739/https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/ben-rector-album-review-the-walking-in-between/2013/10/23/5eefbc1e-36a7-11e3-8a0e-4e2cf80831fc_story.html |url-status=live }} Most songs typically celebrate ordinary life over anything extraneous. "Crazy" from 2015's Brand New, for example, praises the "crazy normal" lifestyle of his ordinary life, such as spending a quiet night at home.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/10/08/ben-rector-sells-out-ryman-stays-grounded/73602020/ |title=Ben Rector sells out Ryman, stays grounded |date=2015-10-08 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=The Tennessean |last=Paulson |first=Dave |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902221023/https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/10/08/ben-rector-sells-out-ryman-stays-grounded/73602020/ |url-status=live }} These songs are usually influenced by his own marriage, and his children helped inspire songs discussing thoughts on fatherhood, as seen in "What Makes a Man". "Daughter" from The Joy of Music features an audible cameo from his then two-year old daughter, Jane.{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/country/ben-rector-premieres-steady-love-music-video/ |title=Ben Rector's 'Steady Love' Music Video Explores Life Phases with Puppets and Paper Mâché — Watch! |date=2022-03-10 |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=People |last=Avila |first=Daniela |archive-date=2023-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905184703/https://people.com/country/ben-rector-premieres-steady-love-music-video/ |url-status=live }}

Some songs are introspective, and reflect on past mindsets and personal assessment. "Peace" from Magic discusses finding peace through the life choices that have shaped him, rather than what's still yet to be achieved or never was.{{Cite web |url=https://mbutimeline.mobap.edu/ben-rector-works-his-magic-in-reflective-record/ |title=Ben Rector Works His “Magic” in Reflective Record |date=2020-10-29 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=MBU Timeline |last=House |first=Madisyn |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209203538/https://mbutimeline.mobap.edu/ben-rector-works-his-magic-in-reflective-record/ |url-status=live }} "The Men That Drive Me Places" reflects on how lucky he is to have found success in his career, but primarily focuses on glorifying the inspiring lives of individuals who have driven him to concerts. Other songs, such as "Sailboat", "30,000 Feet", and "Steady Love", contain general observations about self-worth and finding comfort in life.{{Cite web |url=https://www.archwpgyouthink.com/single-post/sailboat |title=Sailboat |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=YouThink |last=Richard |first=Anna}}

= Collaborations and contributors =

{{Multiple image

| perrow = 3 2

| total_width = 300

| image1 = Jordy Searcy at The Old Friends Acoustic Tour (2024) no5 (cropped).jpg

| alt1 =

| image2 = Austin Goodloe at The Old Friends Acoustic Tour (2024) no3 (cropped).jpg

| alt2 =

| image3 = Cody Fry 2012.jpg

| image4 = Unspecified (2) (cropped).jpg

| image5 = Nathan Dugger Live (cropped).jpg

| footer = From left to right, top to bottom: Jordy Searcy, Austin Goodloe, Cody Fry, Chad Copelin, and Nathan Dugger are among the frequent collaborators to Rector's music.

}}

Rector has released singles with featured artists including: "Color Up My World" with Hailey Whitters,{{Cite web |title=Whitters, Rector join forces to "Color Up My World" |url=https://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=13653 |date=2024-03-15 |access-date=2025-03-03 |archive-date=2024-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526022241/https://countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=13653 |url-status=live }} "What Makes a Man" with Thomas Rhett, a stripped rendition of "It Would Be You" with Ingrid Michaelson, and Steve Winwood on hammond organ with "Range Rover".{{Cite web |url=https://theboot.com/devin-dawson-range-rover-lyrics/ |title=Story Behind the Song: Devin Dawson, 'Range Rover' |date=2021-01-20 |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=The Boot |last=Stefano |first=Angela |archive-date=2024-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103234432/https://theboot.com/devin-dawson-range-rover-lyrics/ |url-status=live }} The Joy of Music features a more extensive lineup, including Snoop Dogg and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and saxophone performances from Kenny G and Dave Koz.{{Cite web |url=https://verilymag.com/2022/03/ben-rector-joy-of-music-album-hope-dream-on-supernatural-daughter-song-2022#:~:text=Rector%20said%20he%20wanted%20“Dream,of%20deeper%20meaning%20in%20life. |title='The Joy of Music' Restores Hope in Listeners |date=2022-03-23 |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Verily |last=Cote |first=Hannah |archive-date=2023-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906013219/https://verilymag.com/2022/03/ben-rector-joy-of-music-album-hope-dream-on-supernatural-daughter-song-2022#:~:text=Rector%20said%20he%20wanted%20“Dream,of%20deeper%20meaning%20in%20life. |url-status=live }} Rector has also been featured, and contributed to music, by Terri Clark, Christina Perri, Devin Dawson, and Cory Wong.{{Cite web |title=Terri Clark Reimagines ‘Now That I Found You’ As Duet With Ben Rector |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/terri-clark-reimagines-now-that-i-found-you-as-duet-with-ben-rector/ |last=Peacock |first=Tim |date=2024-04-29 |access-date=2025-03-11 |archive-date=2024-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621032238/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/terri-clark-reimagines-now-that-i-found-you-as-duet-with-ben-rector/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Christina Perri – ‘lighter shade of blue’ review |url=https://entertainment-focus.com/2022/07/15/christina-perri-lighter-shade-of-blue-review/ |last=Ellwood-Hughes |first=Pip |date=2022-07-15 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Entertainment Focus |archive-date=2022-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715070141/https://entertainment-focus.com/2022/07/15/christina-perri-lighter-shade-of-blue-review/ |url-status=live }}

Rector does much production work, but works often in collaboration with producers such as John Fields and Chad Copelin. The Walking in Between featured Charlie Peacock,{{Cite web |url=https://mbutimeline.mobap.edu/ben-rectors-the-walking-in-between/ |title=Ben Rector's 'The Walking in Between' |date=2014-09-09 |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=MBU Timeline |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122231623/https://mbutimeline.mobap.edu/ben-rectors-the-walking-in-between/ |url-status=live }} and Brand New included Ed Cash and David Hodges, among others.{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector - Brand New |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9932795-Ben-Rector-Brand-New?redirected=true |access-date=2025-03-11}} He has many recurring musicians to both his studio recordings and live performances, such as Cody Fry,{{Cite web |title=A Dream Come True; Ben Rector and Cody Fry With the Colorado Symphony |url=https://kjhk.org/web/2024/03/29/a-dream-come-true-ben-rector-and-cody-fry-with-the-colorado-symphony/ |last=Hesterlee |first=Melania |date=2024-03-29 |access-date=2025-03-11 |archive-date=2024-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715203830/https://kjhk.org/web/2024/03/29/a-dream-come-true-ben-rector-and-cody-fry-with-the-colorado-symphony/ |url-status=live }} Jordy Searcy,{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector and Ingrid Michelson Release 'It Would Be You (Acoustic)' |url=https://www.secretroad.com/latest/ben-rector-and-ingrid-michaelson-release-it-would-be-you-acoustic |date=2020-10-02 |access-date=2025-03-11 |archive-date=2023-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918234449/https://www.secretroad.com/latest/ben-rector-and-ingrid-michaelson-release-it-would-be-you-acoustic |url-status=live }} guitarists Austin Goodloe and Nathan Dugger of Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors,{{Cite web |title=Nathan Dugger |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/3517651-Nathan-Dugger?srsltid=AfmBOopQab_4x_AZMjh8uUv6La8nyF4pZEdy1bwGZIal5gMSWQBnEfil |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Discogs}} bassist Kevin Lee MacIntire,{{Cite web |title=Kevin Macintire |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kevin-macintire-mn0003713630 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=AllMusic |archive-date=2023-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701090845/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kevin-macintire-mn0003713630 |url-status=live }} and drummers Steve Goold and Jared Kneale.{{Cite web |title=Steve Goold Drummer Profile |url=https://lowboybeaters.com/artist/steve-goold/?srsltid=AfmBOoruXdq6H5M_Ul5F2LsdnrB0SYFFTWTVZHjwOW6Zj-F5J2Ivy7Bq |access-date=2025-03-11}}{{Cite web |title=Jared Kneale - Bio |url=https://jaredkneale.com/bio |access-date=2025-03-11 |archive-date=2022-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121142703/http://jaredkneale.com/bio |url-status=live }}

= Television and sports credits =

Rector made his television debut performing "Beautiful" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on October 14, 2013.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/walking_in_between_with_ben_rector |title=Walking In Between With Ben Rector |date=2013-11-25 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Broadcast Music Inc. |last=White |first=Abby |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122235232/https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/walking_in_between_with_ben_rector |url-status=live }} 2016 saw live performances on Conan,{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector will be appearing on CONAN Tuesday, April 12th, 2016 |url=http://teamcoco.com/schedule/2016-04-11/tuesday/ben-rector |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409185550/http://teamcoco.com/schedule/2016-04-11/tuesday/ben-rector |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |website=TeamCoco }} Live with Kelly and Ryan,{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector Flies Fans to Six Flags for 'Brand New' Music Video |url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/AANewsArticle/ben-rector-flies-fans-to-six-flags-for-brand-new-music-video |access-date=August 1, 2018 |website=Alternative Addiction |archive-date=September 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901012553/http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/AANewsArticle/ben-rector-flies-fans-to-six-flags-for-brand-new-music-video |url-status=live }} and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC.{{Cite magazine |title=Ben Rector, LunchMoney Lewis & More Earn Sales Gains After Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7595792/ben-rector-lunchmoney-lewis-sales-gains-thanksgiving-macys |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807032917/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7595792/ben-rector-lunchmoney-lewis-sales-gains-thanksgiving-macys |url-status=live }} He has since also performed on Today,{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector performs 'Brand New' on Today |url=https://www.today.com/video/ben-rector-performs-brand-new-on-today-609107011548 |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=Today.com |archive-date=August 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801220921/https://www.today.com/video/ben-rector-performs-brand-new-on-today-609107011548 |url-status=live }} The Bobby Bones Show, Bachelor in Paradise,{{Cite web |last=Pomarico |first=Nicole |title='Bachelor in Paradise' Episode 9: Babies on the Beach |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/713991/bachelor-in-paradise-season-5-episode-9-recap/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=TV Insider |date=September 4, 2018 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027060725/https://www.tvinsider.com/713991/bachelor-in-paradise-season-5-episode-9-recap/ |url-status=live }} and Good Morning America.{{Cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GMA3/video/indie-pop-superstar-ben-rector-talks-music-84377984 |title=Indie pop superstar Ben Rector talks new music |date=2022-04-28 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=ABC News |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831213005/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GMA3/video/indie-pop-superstar-ben-rector-talks-music-84377984 |url-status=live }} Rector's performance of "Old Friends" on Pickler & Ben in 2019 was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program category.{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector Performs "Old Friends!" |url=https://www.picklerandben.com/ben-rector-performs-old-friends/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=picklerandben.com }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |last1=Parton |first1=Chris |title='Pickler & Ben' Pick Up Two Daytime Emmy Nominations |url=https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/pickler-ben-daytime-emmy-nominations-2/ |website=Sounds Like Nashville |access-date=October 2, 2023 |date=March 25, 2019 |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104175527/https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/pickler-ben-daytime-emmy-nominations-2/ |url-status=live }} In 2021, Rector was a mentor for two contestants on season 19 of American Idol, alongside Ryan Tedder, Jason Aldean, and Jimmie Allen. He performed duets of two of his songs live on the show: "Love Like This" with Graham DeFranco and "Brand New" with Wyatt Pike.{{cite magazine |title=American Idol recap: Katharine McPhee, Brian McKnight, and more celebs show out for duets night |url=https://ew.com/tv/recaps/american-idol-season-19-episode-10/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=September 11, 2023 |date=April 4, 2021 |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915045906/https://ew.com/tv/recaps/american-idol-season-19-episode-10/ |url-status=live }}

Rector's music has been licensed in over 100 major movie, television, and ad placements.{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector: The Richest Man In The World Tour |url=https://fwtx.com/events/ben-rector-richest-man-world-tour/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Fort Worth}} His songs have appeared on television shows including America's Got Talent, American Idol, Ellen DeGeneres Show, World of Dance, Heartland, Hawaii Five-O, Pretty Little Liars, and Castle.{{Cite journal |year=2017 |title=Listen In! |journal=Neurology Now |volume=13 |issue=4 |pages=7 |doi=10.1097/01.nnn.0000522194.42709.10 |issn=1553-3271}} "Brand New" saw 40 major movie and television placements by 2019, and was one of the most licensed songs for film and television from 2015 to 2020;{{Cite web |url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/nso/home/2022-2023/nso-pops-ben-rector-cody-fry/ |title=Ben Rector & Cody Fry and the National Symphony Orchestra |date=2023-01-23 |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=The Kennedy Center |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902221638/https://www.kennedy-center.org/nso/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/home/2024-2025/hidden-nso-pops/cody-fry-friends/ |url-status=live }} it was featured in trailers for Edge of Seventeen, The Croods: A New Age, Moana, a Weight Watchers campaign starring Oprah Winfrey, and on ads for the Olympics and the Major League Baseball World Series.{{Cite web |url=https://abc.com/news/3ec4fb64-b5f7-46b6-8553-dc7108ee33fc/category/1088516 |title=Ben Rector - ABC Music Lounge |date=2018-09-05 |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=ABC |archive-date=July 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719080055/https://abc.com/news/3ec4fb64-b5f7-46b6-8553-dc7108ee33fc/category/1088516 |url-status=live }} Other notable usage of his music in ad campaigns include the Celebrity Cruises line, and the Volvo EX90 line of vehicles by Volvo Cars.{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector's "Extraordinary Magic" Featured in Volvo Campaign |url=https://www.secretroad.com/latest/ben-rectors-extraordinary-magic-featured-in-volvo-campaign |date=2024-09-16 |website=Secret Road}} Another track, “Dream On", served as the soundtrack and sole audio for the 2022 advertisement of The University of Arkansas—Rector's alma mater.{{cite web |title=Ben Rector's "Dream On" Featured in University of Arkansas Campaign |url=https://www.secretroad.com/latest/ben-rectors-dream-on-featured-in-university-of-arkansas-campaign |website=Secret Road |access-date=September 14, 2023 |date=September 9, 2022 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002213559/https://www.secretroad.com/latest/ben-rectors-dream-on-featured-in-university-of-arkansas-campaign |url-status=live }}

Rector's history of performing at sporting events include the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals and the 2021 USSF World Cup Qualifying Match.{{Cite news |last=Russo |first=Michael |date=June 12, 2017 |title=Penguins edge Predators, win back-to-back Stanley Cups |work=Star Tribune |url=http://www.startribune.com/penguins-edge-predators-win-back-to-back-stanley-cups/427858903/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011091050/http://www.startribune.com/penguins-edge-predators-win-back-to-back-stanley-cups/427858903/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector and U.S. Soccer Release an Exclusive Highlight Video as U.S. Men's National Team Kicks Off Home World Cup Qualifying Match in Nashville |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/08/ben-rector-and-us-soccer-release-video-as-usmnt-kicks-off-home-world-cup-qualifying-in-nashville |date=2021-08-31 |website=Soccer Forward Foundation |access-date=2025-03-12 |archive-date=2024-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241014053751/https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/08/ben-rector-and-us-soccer-release-video-as-usmnt-kicks-off-home-world-cup-qualifying-in-nashville |url-status=live }} The United States Soccer Federation partnered with Rector to feature his unreleased song “New Day” as the soundtrack to promotional content for the qualification matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web |title=Ben Rector And U.S. Soccer Release Exclusive Highlight Video As U.S. Men's National Team Kicks Off Home World Cup Qualifying Campaign In Nashville |url=https://www.visitmusiccity.com/media/press-release/2021/ben-rector-and-us-soccer-release-exclusive-highlight-video-us-mens |website=Nashville Music City |access-date=September 14, 2023 |date=August 31, 2021 |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924230140/https://www.visitmusiccity.com/media/press-release/2021/ben-rector-and-us-soccer-release-exclusive-highlight-video-us-mens |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://sportscredential.com/2021/08/ben-rector-lindsay-ell-to-perform-world-cup-qualifier-pre-game-concert-at-nissan-stadium/ |title=Ben Rector & Lindsay Ell To Perform World Cup Qualifier Pre-Game Concert At Nissan Stadium |date=2021-08-10 |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=The Sports Credential |last=Boero |first=Steven |archive-date=August 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810161833/https://sportscredential.com/2021/08/ben-rector-lindsay-ell-to-perform-world-cup-qualifier-pre-game-concert-at-nissan-stadium/ |url-status=live }} ESPN used four iterations of songs from The Joy of Music, the most prominent of which was the use of "Sunday", as the soundtrack to Sunday Night Baseball; his song "Kids" was also used prominently in advertisements for the MLB Little League Classic.{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Katie |title="Feelin' Like It's Sunday:" ESPN Features Indie Superstar Ben Rector in Sunday Night Baseball |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/04/feelin-like-its-sunday-espn-features-indie-superstar-ben-rector-in-sunday-night-baseball-presented-by-taco-bell-anthem/ |website=ESPN |access-date=September 14, 2023 |date=April 7, 2022 |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906005124/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/04/feelin-like-its-sunday-espn-features-indie-superstar-ben-rector-in-sunday-night-baseball-presented-by-taco-bell-anthem/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Alex |title=This Masters-inspired Ben Rector song featuring Snoop Dogg(!) should be the PGA Tour's new theme music |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-inspired-song-ben-rector-snoop-dogg-should-be-pga-tour-new-theme-music |website=Golf Digest |access-date=September 14, 2023 |date=March 31, 2022 |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906005012/https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-inspired-song-ben-rector-snoop-dogg-should-be-pga-tour-new-theme-music |url-status=live }} Rector has spent significant time playing in and performing at PGA golf tournaments across the continent. Rector played in a celebrity bracket at the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the 2023 Pro-Am the following year.{{cite web |last1=Hirsh |first1=Jack |title=Joel Dahmen, Ben Rector are the standard of fun at Pebble Beach Pro-Am |url=https://golf.com/lifestyle/celebrities/joel-dahmen-ben-rector-standard-of-fun/ |website=Golf.com |access-date=September 14, 2023 |date=February 4, 2023 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002213550/https://golf.com/lifestyle/celebrities/joel-dahmen-ben-rector-standard-of-fun/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Jourdan |first1=Cameron |title=2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrity tee times, pairings |url=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/02/01/2023-att-pebble-beach-pro-am-celebrity-tee-times-pairings/ |website=GolfWeek |access-date=October 2, 2023 |date=February 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104175526/https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/02/01/2023-att-pebble-beach-pro-am-celebrity-tee-times-pairings/ |url-status=live }} He also played at the BMW Charity Pro-Am in 2024.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bmwgroup-werke.com/spartanburg/en/news/2024/BMW-Charity-Pro-Am-Announces-2024-Celebrity-Course-Rotation.html |title=Bmw Charity Pro-am Presented By Td Synnex Announces 2024 Celebrity Course Rotation |date=2024-04-06 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=BMW Group |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831212331/https://www.bmwgroup-werke.com/spartanburg/en/news/2024/BMW-Charity-Pro-Am-Announces-2024-Celebrity-Course-Rotation.html |url-status=live }}

=Touring and live performances=

File:Ben Rector Performing a Live Performance at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles - Full Band.jpg (center) on piano and Cory Wong (right) on guitar]]

File:The Old Friends Acoustic Tour Full (2024) no3.jpg, with Austin Goodloe (center) and Jordy Searcy (right)]]

Ben Rector has been touring actively since college; as he became an established artist, each album release was backed with a tour across the United States, beginning with the Good Time Tour in 2012. Rector tours nationwide with a full band. Outside of album-associated tours include The Old Friends Acoustic Tour, a stripped performance of his works spanning 33 dates, and co-headlining symphonic shows with Cody Fry, which featured orchestra renditions of some of his songs. Three live-recorded albums have been released: Live in Denver in 2014,{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-denver-mw0002760806 |title=Live in Denver - Ben Rector |date=2014-09-16 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=AllMusic |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127004932/https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-denver-mw0002760806 |url-status=live }} Magic: Live From the USA in 2019,{{Cite web |url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2022/03/25/ben-rector-video-sunday/ |title=Ben Rector Gets Out Of His ‘Comfort Zone’ With Help From Snoop Dogg & A Giant Fuzzy Friend |date=2022-03-25 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Hollywood Life |last=Brow |first=Jason |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901003712/https://hollywoodlife.com/2022/03/25/ben-rector-video-sunday/ |url-status=live }} and Live from Atlanta in 2023.{{Cite web |url=https://www.365daysofinspiringmedia.com/reviews/ben-rector-live-from-atlanta/ |title=Ben Rector - Live From Atlanta |date=2023-07-31 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=365 Days Of Inspiring Media |archive-date=2023-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924095548/https://www.365daysofinspiringmedia.com/reviews/ben-rector-live-from-atlanta/ |url-status=live }}

Rector frequently sells out amphitheaters while on tour, such as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Ascend Amphitheater, and three consecutive nights at the Ryman Auditorium.{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector & Cody Fry Live with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra |url=https://www.artsatl.org/event/ben-rector-cody-fry-live-with-the-atlanta-symphony-orchestra/2024-06-21/ |date=2024-06-21 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Arts ATL}}{{Cite web |title=Ben Rector sells out Ryman, stays grounded |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/10/08/ben-rector-sells-out-ryman-stays-grounded/73602020/ |last=Paulson |first=Dave |date=2015-10-08 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=The Tennesseean |archive-date=2024-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902221023/https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/10/08/ben-rector-sells-out-ryman-stays-grounded/73602020/ |url-status=live }} The touring effort following the success of Brand New spanned 73 dates total across two years, including two legs with The Brand New Tour and an additional 20 show extension with The Biggest Tour I Have Done So Far Tour.

Opening acts for his shows include Jacob Whitesides, Tyrone Wells, The Band Camino, Jordy Searcy, Stephen Day, and most recently The National Parks and Mat Kearney. Rector himself has performed as an opening act for Needtobreathe and Dan + Shay, and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill for Soul2Soul: The World Tour in 2017.

;Headlining

Good Time Tour (2012)
The Ben Rectour (2013); 32 shows{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-sides-with-jon-chattman_b_3829863 |title=A-Sides with Jon Chattman: Ben Rector "Keeps Moving On" Up; "Life" Lessons with Little Comets |date=2013-08-28 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=HuffPost |last=Chattman |first=Jon |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125051935/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-sides-with-jon-chattman_b_3829863 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.cardinalandcream.info/2015/now-spinning-ben-rector/ |title=Now Spinning: Ben Rector |date=2015-04-30 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Cardinal & Cream |last=Carter |first=McKenna |archive-date=2016-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128054652/http://www.cardinalandcream.info/2015/now-spinning-ben-rector/ |url-status=live }}
The Walking In Between Tour (2014); 32 shows
The Brand New Tour (2015-2016); 53 shows
The Biggest Tour I Have Done So Far Tour (2016); 20 shows{{Cite web |url=https://tulsaworld.com/entertainment/music/tulsa-native-ben-rector-brings-his-biggest-tour-to-brady-theater/article_08534c39-90be-5424-a7b9-23d0feb79ede.html |title=Tulsa native Ben Rector brings his 'biggest tour' to Brady Theater |date=2016-10-05 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Tulsa World |last=Woffard |first=Jeffery |archive-date=2024-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130010148/https://tulsaworld.com/entertainment/music/tulsa-native-ben-rector-brings-his-biggest-tour-to-brady-theater/article_08534c39-90be-5424-a7b9-23d0feb79ede.html |url-status=live }}
Magic: The Tour (2018); 54 shows{{Cite web |url=https://musicrow.com/2018/06/ben-rector-releases-magic/ |title=Ben Rector Releases ‘Magic’ |date=2018-06-22 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=MusicRow |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021103300/https://musicrow.com/2018/06/ben-rector-releases-magic/ |url-status=live }}
The Old Friends Acoustic Tour (2020, 2023, 2024); 33 shows{{Cite web |url=https://www.musicscenemedia.com/from-the-balcony-ben-rector-old-friends-and-brand-new-magic/ |title=From the Balcony: Ben Rector, Old Friends, and (Brand) New Magic |date=2023-03-29 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=Music Scene Media |last=Lake Lacar |first=Lauren |archive-date=2024-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103234513/https://www.musicscenemedia.com/from-the-balcony-ben-rector-old-friends-and-brand-new-magic/ |url-status=live }}
The Joy of Music Tour (2022); 21 shows{{Cite web |url=https://musicrow.com/2022/01/ben-rector-plots-the-joy-of-music-live-tour-for-may/ |title=Ben Rector Plots 'The Joy Of Music: Live Tour' For May |date=2022-01-28 |access-date=2023-09-04 |website=MusicRow |last=Hollabaugh |first=Lorie |archive-date=2023-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905003024/https://musicrow.com/2022/01/ben-rector-plots-the-joy-of-music-live-tour-for-may/ |url-status=live }}
The Richest Man in the World Tour (2025); 26 shows

;Co-headline

The Beat Lives Forever Tour (With Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, 2010)
Ben Rector and Cody Fry With the Nashville Symphony Orchestra (Cody Fry and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, 2023, 2024)

;Opening act

Tour De Compadres (With Needtobreathe, 2015){{Cite web |url=https://gospelmusic.org/news/news-needtobreathe-announces-2015-north-american-tour-tour-de-compadres |title=Needtobreathe Announces 2015 Tour 'Tour de Compadres' |date=2015-02-02 |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Gospel Music Association |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831050954/https://gospelmusic.org/news/news-needtobreathe-announces-2015-north-american-tour-tour-de-compadres |url-status=live }}
Soul2Soul: The World Tour (With Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, 2017)
The Heartbreak on the Map Tour (With Dan + Shay, 2024){{Cite web |url=https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2023/09/dan-shay-announce-2024-the-heartbreak-on-the-map-tour-ahead-of-bigger-houses-album-release-9-15/ |title=Dan + Shay Announce 2024 'The Heartbreak on the Map Tour' |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Live Nation Entertainment |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902221500/https://www.livenationentertainment.com/2023/09/dan-shay-announce-2024-the-heartbreak-on-the-map-tour-ahead-of-bigger-houses-album-release-9-15/ |url-status=live }}

Discography

= Studio albums =

{{Timeline of release years

| range1 = 2006 -

| range1_color = #AB2025 #D1CCC6

| subtitle = Studio albums in bold

| title = Studio album releases timeline

| 2006 = Ben Rector

| 2007 = Twenty Tomorrow

| 2008 = Songs That Duke Wrote

| 2009 = Jingles and Bells

| 2010 = Into the Morning

| 2011 = Something Like This

| 2013 = The Walking in Between

| 2014 = Live in Denver, Newy Lewis and the Hues

| 2015 = Brand New

| 2018 = Magic

| 2019 = Magic: Live in the USA

| 2020 = A Ben Rector Christmas

| 2022 = The Joy of Music

| 2023 = Live From Atlanta

| 2025 = The Richest Man in the World

}}

Twenty Tomorrow (2007)
Songs That Duke Wrote (2008)
Into the Morning (2010):
Into the Morning was Rector's first major release,{{Cite web |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/events/2016/08/17/singer-ben-rector-tees-up/23350506007/ |title=Singer Ben Rector tees up for downtime after decade on tour, in studio |date=2016-08-17 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |last=Oller |first=Julia |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101194932/https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/events/2016/08/17/singer-ben-rector-tees-up/23350506007/ |url-status=live }} peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467318/ben-rector-is-a-gimmick-free-pop-nobody|title=Ben Rector|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=July 9, 2015|archive-date=July 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704032905/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467318/ben-rector-is-a-gimmick-free-pop-nobody|url-status=live}} The peaked also peaked at No. 5 on iTunes' pop chart and No. 10 on their album charts.{{Cite web |url=https://blog.arkansasalumni.org/for-ben-rector-its-all-about-the-music/ |title=For Ben Rector, It's All About the Music |date=2013-02-15 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Arkansas Alumni |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926020534/https://blog.arkansasalumni.org/for-ben-rector-its-all-about-the-music/ |url-status=live }} Track 3, "When A Heart Breaks", was certified gold in 2019 by the RIAA.{{Cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Ben+Rector&ti=When+a+heart+breaks&lab=&genre=&format=Single&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=G&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |title="American single certifications – Ben Rector – When A Heart Breaks" |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Recording Industry Association of America |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831204324/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Ben+Rector&ti=When+a+heart+breaks&lab=&genre=&format=Single&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=G&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |url-status=live }}
Something Like This (2011):
Something Like This was Rector's first appearance on the Billboard 200. It debuted at No. 41 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Album Sales charts.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2011-10-01/ |title=Top Album Sales: Week of October 1, 2011 |date=2011-10-01 |access-date=2024-01-20 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=2023-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414070224/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2011-10-01/ |url-status=live }} It also debuted at No. 15 on the Top Rock Albums and Top Rock & Alternative Albums charts,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2011-10-01/ |title=Top Rock Albums: Week of October 1, 2011 |date=2011-10-01 |access-date=2024-01-20 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=2024-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105091158/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2011-10-01/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2011-10-01/ |title=Top Rock & Alternative Albums: Week of October 1, 2011 |date=2011-10-01 |access-date=2024-01-20 |magazine=Billboard}} No. 39 on Top Current Album Sales,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2011-10-01/ |title=Top Current Album Sales: Week of October 1, 2011 |date=2011-10-01 |access-date=2024-01-20 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902221032/https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2011-10-01/ |url-status=live }} and No. 11 on both the Independent Albums and Digital Albums charts.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2011-10-01/ |title=Independent Albums: Week of October 1, 2011 |date=2011-10-01 |access-date=2024-01-20 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230195222/https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2011-10-01/ |url-status=live }} It charted at 1st on the Singer/Songwriter album chart on iTunes, 5 minutes after its release. It peaked 4th on iTunes overall.{{Cite web |url=https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/speakers/413189/Ben-Rector |title=All American Speakers: Ben Rector |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=All American Speakers |archive-date=2024-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120054314/https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/speakers/413189/Ben-Rector |url-status=live }}
The Walking in Between (2013):
The Walking in Between debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200, appearing on the chart for two weeks.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/ |title=Billboard 200 - Week of September 7, 2013 |date=2013-09-07 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128182129/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2013-09-14/ |title=Billboard 200 - Week of September 14, 2013 |date=2013-09-14 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123200947/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2013-09-14/ |url-status=live }} It also debuted at No. 16 on the Top Album Sales chart, where it also remained for two weeks.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2013-09-07/ |title=Top Album Sales - Week of September 7, 2013 |date=2013-08-07 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504113740/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2013-09-07/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2013-09-14/ |title=Top Album Sales - Week of September 14, 2013 |date=2013-09-14 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920071846/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2013-09-14/ |url-status=live }} It reached No. 2 on Billboard{{'}}s Folk Albums chart and No. 5 on Top Rock Albums.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/folk-albums/2013-09-07|title=Folk Albums - Week of September 7, 2013|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 11, 2016|archive-date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330030254/http://www.billboard.com/charts/folk-albums/2013-09-07|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/ |title=Top Rock Albums - Week of September 7, 2013 |date=2013-09-07 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128182129/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/ |url-status=live }} It also debuted and peaked at No. 5 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2013-09-07/ |title=Top Rock & Alternative Albums - Week of September 7, 2013 |date=2013-09-07 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126234717/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2013-09-07/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2013-09-14/ |title=Top Rock & Alternative Albums - Week of September 14, 2013 |date=2013-09-14 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126234716/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2013-09-14/ |url-status=live }} It spent two weeks on the Top Current Album Sales and Independent Albums charts, debuting and peaking at No. 16 and No. 2 respectively.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2013-09-07/ |title=Top Current Album Sales - Week of September 7, 2013 |date=2013-09-07 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202235344/https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2013-09-07/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2013-09-07/ |title=Independent Albums - Week of September 7, 2013 |date=2013-09-07 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Billboard |archive-date=January 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105091155/https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2013-09-07/ |url-status=live }} "Ordinary Love" peaked at No. 37 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, No. 27 on Rock Digital Song Sales, and No. 37 on Hot Rock Songs in August 2013.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/ |title=Hot Rock & Alternative Songs - Week of August 10, 2013 |date=2013-08-10 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128182129/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-digital-song-sales/2013-08-10/ |title=Rock Digital Song Sales - Week of August 10, 2013 |date=2013-08-10 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330143846/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-digital-song-sales/2013-08-10 |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-rock-songs/2013-08-10/ |title=Hot Rock Songs - Week of August 10, 2013 |date=2013-08-10 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126234757/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-rock-songs/2013-08-10/ |url-status=live }} The associated live album, Live in Denver, also charted. It appeared at No. 40 on the Top Rock Albums chart,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2014-10-04/ |title=Top Rock Albums - Week of October 4, 2014 |date=2014-10-04 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828094302/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2014-10-04/ |url-status=live }} No. 3 on the Americana/Folk Albums chart,{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/americana-folk-albums/2014-10-04/ |title=Americana/Folk Albums - Week of October 4, 2014 |date=2014-10-04 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Billboard |archive-date=May 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527213429/https://www.billboard.com/charts/americana-folk-albums/2014-10-04/ |url-status=live }} and No. 40 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2014-10-04/ |title=Top Rock & Alternative Albums - Week of October 4, 2014 |date=2014-10-04 |access-date=2024-01-24 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126234839/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2014-10-04/ |url-status=live }}
Brand New (2015):
Brand News is Rector's highest charting album to date. The album debuted No. 9 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking his first Top 10 album.{{Cite magazine |title=On the Charts: The Weeknd Finds 'Beauty' at Number One |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/on-the-charts-the-weeknd-finds-beauty-at-number-one-20150906 |access-date=October 13, 2015 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 6, 2015 |archive-date=October 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011093618/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/on-the-charts-the-weeknd-finds-beauty-at-number-one-20150906 |url-status=live }} It also debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Current Rock Albums chart, No. 2 on the Billboard Album Core Genre Rock chart, No. 6 on the Billboard Album Sales chart, No. 3 on the Billboard Top Current Digital Album Sales chart, and No. 1 on the Billboard Top Folk Albums chart.{{Cite web |title=The Weeknd's New Album Debuts at Number One with an Impressive Sales Week |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2015/09/06/the-weeknds-new-album-debuts-at-number-one-with-big-sales-week/ |access-date=October 13, 2015 |website=Forbes |archive-date=October 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011055345/http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2015/09/06/the-weeknds-new-album-debuts-at-number-one-with-big-sales-week/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=The Week in Pop: Halsey's New Americana Might Actually Be A Real Demographic |url=http://www.stereogum.com/1829157/the-week-in-pop-halseys-new-americana-might-actually-be-a-real-demographic/franchises/the-week-in-pop/ |access-date=October 13, 2015 |website=Stereogum |date=September 10, 2015 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017082100/http://www.stereogum.com/1829157/the-week-in-pop-halseys-new-americana-might-actually-be-a-real-demographic/franchises/the-week-in-pop/? |url-status=live }} "Brand New" was his first single to enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 82.{{Cite magazine |last=Weatherby |first=Taylor |date=May 18, 2018 |title=Ben Rector Announces New Album 'Magic,' Unveils Nostalgic Track 'Old Friends' |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8456619/ben-rector-new-album-magic-old-friends-song |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924222702/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8456619/ben-rector-new-album-magic-old-friends-song |url-status=live }} The song also reached No. 6 on the Billboard Adult Top 40,{{Cite magazine |title=Ben Rector: Adult Top 40 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/chart-history/atf/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822201733/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/chart-history/atf/ |url-status=live }} No. 7 on Hot Rock Songs,{{Cite magazine |title=Ben Rector: Hot Rock Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/chart-history/ark/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822201731/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/chart-history/ark/ |url-status=live }} and No. 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart.{{Cite magazine |title=Ben Rector: Adult Contemporary |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/chart-history/asi/ |access-date=January 23, 2020 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822201730/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/chart-history/asi/ |url-status=live }}
Magic (2018):
Magic debuted at No. 44 on Billboard 200,{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2018-07-07/ |title=Billboard 200 - Week of July 7, 2018 |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228094550/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2018-07-07/ |url-status=live }} and No. 7 on both the Top Rock Albums and Top Rock & Alternative charts.{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2018-07-07/ |title=Top Rock Albums - Week of July 7, 2018 |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228094548/https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2018-07-07/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2018-07-07/ |title=Top Rock & Alternative Albums - Week of July 7, 2018 |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=September 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902221053/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2018-07-07/ |url-status=live }} It debuted and peaked at No. 10 on Top Album Sales and No. 7 on Top Current Album Sales.{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2018-07-07/ |title=Top Album Sales - Week of July 7, 2018 |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228094600/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2018-07-07/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2018-07-07/ |title=Top Album Sales - Week of July 7, 2018 |date=2018-01-07 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925082909/https://www.billboard.com/charts/current-albums/2018-07-07 |url-status=live }} It debuted at No. 1 on Americana/Folk Albums,{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/americana-folk-albums/2018-07-07/ |title=Americana/Folk Albums - Week of July 7, 2018 |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528030149/https://www.billboard.com/charts/americana-folk-albums/2018-07-07/ |url-status=live }} and No. 2 on Independent Albums,{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2018-07-07/ |title=Independent Albums - Week of July 7, 2018 |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413133731/https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2018-07-07/ |url-status=live }} for 2 weeks each.{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/americana-folk-albums/2018-07-14/ |title=Americana/Folk Albums - Week of July 14, 2018 |date=2018-07-14 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528180232/https://www.billboard.com/charts/americana-folk-albums/2018-07-14/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2018-07-14/ |title=Independent Albums - Week of July 14, 2018 |date=2018-07-14 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016195150/https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2018-07-14/ |url-status=live }} "Drive" peaked on October 20, 2018 at No. 30 on Adult Pop Airplay, spending 11 consecutive weeks on the chart.{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-pop-songs/2018-09-15/ |title=Adult Pop Airplay - Week of July 7, 2018 |date=2018-07-07 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227234450/https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-pop-songs/2018-09-15/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-pop-songs/2018-10-20/ |title=Adult Pop Airplay - Week of October 20, 2018 |date=2023-10-20 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228213021/https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-pop-songs/2018-10-20/ |url-status=live }}
A Ben Rector Christmas (2020)
The Joy of Music (2022):
The Joy of Music debuted at No. 189 on the Billboard 200 charts,{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=Billboard 200 - Week of March 26, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2022-03-26/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322144824/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2022-03-26/ |archive-date=2022-03-22 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Billboard 200}} and No. 17 in Top Album Sales in March 26, 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-22 |title=Top Album Sales - Week of March 26, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2022-03-26/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423193321/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-album-sales/2022-03-26/ |archive-date=2023-04-23 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Billboard Top Album Sales}} That same week, "Sunday" debuted at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-22 |title=Hot Christian Songs - Week of March 26, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-songs/2022-03-26/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016090556/https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-songs/2022-03-26/ |archive-date=2022-10-16 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Billboard Hot Christian Songs}} "Thank You" debuted on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart on April 23, 2022, and remained on the chart for 19 weeks, peaking at No. 33 on May 28, 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-23 |title=Christian Airplay - Week of April 23, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-airplay/2022-04-23/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406015703/https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-airplay/2022-04-23/ |archive-date=2023-04-06 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Billboard Christian Airplay}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-28 |title=Christian Airplay - Week of May 28, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-airplay/2022-05-28/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405230849/https://www.billboard.com/charts/christian-airplay/2022-05-28/ |archive-date=2023-04-05 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Billboard Christian Airplay}} The song also debuted on the Billboard Christian AC Airplay chart on June 4, 2022, remaining on the chart for 3 weeks and peaking at No. 27 on its debut week.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-04 |title=Christian Airplay - Week of June 4, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-christian-adult-contemporary/2022-06-04/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603132634/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-christian-adult-contemporary/2022-06-04/ |archive-date=2022-06-03 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Christian AC Airplay}} As an independent artist, the album debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=Independent Albums - Week of March 26, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2022-03-26/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815130840/https://www.billboard.com/charts/independent-albums/2022-03-26/ |archive-date=2022-08-15 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Billboard Independent Albums}} The vinyl version debuted at No. 21 on March 26, 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=Vinyl Albums - Week of March 26, 2022 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/chart-history/tlp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822201732/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ben-rector/chart-history/tlp/ |archive-date=2023-08-22 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Billboard charts}}
The Richest Man in the World (2025)

= Live albums =

Live in Denver (2014)
Magic: Live from the USA (2019)
Live from Atlanta (2023)

= Extended plays =

Ben Rector (2006)
Jingles and Bells (2009)
Newy Lewis and the Hues (2014)

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
align=center\| Year ! Award ! Category ! Result ! Ref.
align=center\|2009 \| Northwest Arkansas Music Award (NAMA) \| Singer/songwriter Male \| {{won}} \|
align=center\|2019 \| Daytime Emmy Awards \| Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program – "Old Friends" \| {{Nominated}} \|
align=center\|2024 \| GMA Dove Awards \| Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance) - "Joy (The Choir Room Version)" \| {{won}} \| {{Cite web \|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/gma-dove-awards-2024-winners-1235793861/ \|title=CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake & Forrest Frank Lead Winners at 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards \|date=2024-10-04 \|access-date=2024-10-09 \|website=Billboard \|last=Nicholson \|first=Jessica \|archive-date=October 7, 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007092323/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/gma-dove-awards-2024-winners-1235793861/ \|url-status=live }}

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"

align=center| Year

! Award

! Category

! Result

! Ref.

align=center|2009

| Northwest Arkansas Music Award (NAMA)

| Singer/songwriter Male

| {{won}}

align=center|2019

| Daytime Emmy Awards

| Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program – "Old Friends"

| {{Nominated}}

align=center|2024

| GMA Dove Awards

| Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance) - "Joy (The Choir Room Version)"

| {{won}}

| {{Cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/gma-dove-awards-2024-winners-1235793861/ |title=CeCe Winans, Brandon Lake & Forrest Frank Lead Winners at 55th Annual GMA Dove Awards |date=2024-10-04 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Billboard |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007092323/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/gma-dove-awards-2024-winners-1235793861/ |url-status=live }}

References

External links

{{Official website}}
{{YouTube|u=benrector}}