Been a fan of Ben since he had 35 followers LITERALLY more than proud to watch him and his lovely wife grow there story alone is the definition of love
@@SongwriterReacts LOVE THE SHOW! Please please PLEASE listen to john Moreland's "hang me in the tulsa county stars" It is absolutely amazing and I'm dying to hear what you think
“I’ll trade these pounds of flesh for a miserable ghost, and not much will change but the way that you see me will though”…Never heard a more impactful lyric on the topic of suicide
I feel everyone who found Mr.Todd, were at a very low point in their life and that’s what makes him so great. He has unknowingly helped and saved so many lives. I hope he grows as big as he ever imagined!
Burt, while i love your commentary you hit on a stickling point for me around the 4:30 mark. Alcohol is a drug. Alcoholism is just drug addiction. The only reason it has a separate term us so alcoholics don't feel as bad about their alcoholism. "At least I'm not a crackhead". It is no different than heroin, crack, or nicotine. Just because two (alcohol and nicotine) are socially and culturally acceptable in the USA doesn't change the fact they are drugs. Addiction to a drug makes you a drug addict. I firmly believe getting away from the psuedo-distinction between "drug addiction", "alcoholism", smoking, etc etc is one of the only ways to make improvements on our very real culture of addiction. Relevant anecdote from my life: CPS picked up a neighbor of mines kids, years back when I lived in the shit side of Charlotte NC, because she'd been letting people take advantage of her child for liquor money. I've also met heroin addicts successfully running million dollar companies with beautiful, intact families. Sorry for the long winded comment, as I said it is a stickling point for me as someone who has had trouble with several substances, including alcohol. I know you didn't mean anything significant by it, just separating it out via the norms were all used to. It's just... it's an incorrect norm. It's one of those methods of weaseling language so we don't have to acknowledge what someone culturally acceptable actually is. I completely, 100% agree with everything you said surrounding this. I think you put it beautifully, but I think that's why it's especially important for someone as eloquent as you to not differentiate them.
Appreciate the reaction. Ben and his music found me at one of my most vulnerable times in life and I can't think him enough for his relatable lyrics. Please check out his song Benjamin Todd - Who I'am Ain't Who I've been
Appreciate the reaction. By far my favorite reaction channel. Benjamin Tod is an amazing songwriter. In a different reaction I love how you said “you don’t have to be some great guitar virtuoso to write great songs.” Deep deep lyrics that touch so many people. I love how you said “ you don’t have to be an addict, to have a war inside of you. We all have a war inside of us in one way or another.” Love your guys reactions. Thanks so much.
My fiancé and I were having the conversation about addiction and how we all have an addiction in some form or another. And that self awareness and reflection on what gives you that dopamine hit can give people a lot more empathy towards those struggling with substance abuse. Thanks for giving me a little hope in humans again
And he dropped out at 14 years old, train hopped the country for years, is a recovering addict but can express such deep emotions so succinctly and beautifully.
There is a reason why his wife decides which songs she can handle doing with him vs it just being him. This man has no doubt bobbed & weaved the grim reaper more times then most. He is everything I wish Nashville recognized as true talent. Then again it's always fun to enjoy these talents before the system gets ahold of them. Long live independent singers, songwriters & bands. You dont need a big label.
Thank you for reacting to this and every Benjamin Tod/Lost Dog Street Band song you’ve ever done a video for. They’re my hands down favorite and this one especially. I spent last thanksgiving in the psych ward for a mental breakdown and you continually take the words out of my mouth when it comes to this band. Ben’s song “I Will Rise” specifically, and this one, was the one that led me to do the right thing and get help and get my head straight so thanks you sir!
Awesome reaction!! I love when you react to his and/or Lost Dog Street Band music! He truly is an amazing artist and deserves so much more credit but i feel thats not what he is after and thats what i enjoy! Thats what makes his music so awesome. He doesnt strive for credibility from the industry. Just telling his stories! Ive researched his life a little and i wish someone would do a documentary! He has had a very interesting life so far! Keep up the awesome work Burt!
If you dare me to do it I’ll go I’ll Trade in these pounds of flesh for a miserable ghost And Not much will change but the way you see me will, though. Whew! 🔥
I love y'all's comments on this song. And you're right, you don't have to be an addict to get this song. We all have that war. It's certainly one I can relate to, in my own way. I've seen your videos here and there and always liked them, just never remembered to sub til now. Subbed now though. I look forward to seeing more interpretations from you, and be introduced to even more music. Last thing, another song by Benjamin Tod that hits really hard is "Who I Am Ain't Who I've Been". I only heard it about 30 minutes ago, it almost made me cry tbh. If you're looking for more songs by him to listen to, that's my vote, personally.
This is such a real song for me. Every day I strive to be a better me. The depth of his use of metaphor and educated references in his Lost Dog Street Band song “the Weight of a Hammer” hooked me on his songs. His lyrics are deep, his literary references are very researched, and his concepts complicated but presented in a relatable way. Just magically honest.
I’ll be honest , I have many issues mentally and I have had substance use issues my whole life . 5 years in Afghanistan didn’t help me much . I can only listen to Ben alone . Been married 13 years and I have never shed a tear in front of my wife . So I just listen by myself. I know one day my wife will find out about the substance use. I have a good job , beautiful wife , 2 kids , and I am absolutely miserable.
I know this is a year later but I’m right there with you, besides for the military service (thank you). I’ve been put through so much pain in my life. I think about my beautiful, darling wife every time I use. This hurts so bad. You’re not alone my friend. You got this bro.
I never struggled with drugs even though I did drugs for years, I struggled with impulse and women. I've got 2 kids and 1 on the way and I'm a different man from it.
That girl that was sitting between Anthony Simpkins (creator of GemsOnVHS) and Ashley is the wife of Nicolas Ridout, Shannon Jae Ridout. Based on what she was wearing Id say this was recorded the same day as her Gems recorsing of It Aint Right. All four of them used to be in a band called Spit Shine until Bens best friend, Shannon's husband killed himself. They then, for a short time, were the Teardrop Trio. 0lease react to Shannon Jae Ridout "It Aint Right" with Ashley on the fiddle and backup. Amazing song and I think you will be surprised.
Shannon is amazing. She helped me learn that song actually. Im a widow under similar circumstance. And she gave me encouragement about not giving up the guitar/harmonica duo .. After several surgeries, i can no longer play my fiddle the same so i was learning harmonica and getting discouraged like "this is basically a toy why isnt it easier" and she told me that, for her, it was "a mountain" and that it took her years. And it reminded me that its not as easy as just picking a new instrument up and being as good as you were with your previous.
The dude never even said drug addiction it could have been about anything. could have choked on a smoke from my father's flame but there's no need to stoke there's a southern wind blowing this way, wow.
This is one of my favorites. I would say “Ballad of a Broken man” is numero uno for me. Mr Byler have you seen his covers of Townes Van Zandt? Specifically “Waiting Around to Die”, and “Nothing”.
Just found this channel and have become hooked. If you haven't and can would love for you to react to Lucero. I'd suggest Texas and Tennessee or It get the worse at night. Keep up the amazing work.
Oh snap this is one of my Faves I was going to submit it in my music League but somebody beat me to it. Doesn't matter though because I'm in first by 18 points but there are 5 weeks left so I could lose it still.
It's kinda sad that he doesn't have more fans, I've never shown his music to anyone that wasn't deeply moved by it. I feel like me and him have lived almost the exact same life. I feel like intense connections to what he sings about.
I believe your talking about the intro to sorry for the things when he’s talking about how the words and music he creates effects the world and that her can change it with his music he says it better but something like that
People are quick to work out physically but hesitant to take care of their mental. I think that country music has always been a genre where artists can be open with their feelings in one shape or another. Hell even Hank Sr. had some songs talking about his feelings and getting the blues. Country- Mo Pitney describes it much better than I can. Saying that country is not dependent on where you’re from. It’s who you are. I’m glad Benjamin Todd is keeping this idea alive with his music and in glad you’re giving him recognition.
@@GrefveGyldenpungh my personal view, but I believe people are quick to introduce new stressors into their lives for a quick hit of dopamine, but don’t realize the long term effects on their mental health. Something that seems like a beneficial thing now may be detrimental later. It’s different for everyone but I know my crutches are social media and sugared drinks like pop or juice.
An addiction to greed is a lack of character. An addiction to drugs could be portrayed in the same way, however, addiction to drugs/alcohol typically stems from 1. Mental illness, and 2. A struggle with self. These are not privileged issues. It is not the same. the struggle to not be a piece of shit is not the same struggle. Substance abuse is not glorified, attempting to overcome it is. Overcoming serious obstacles is where the glory lies. Lack of obstacles creating character flaws is very different.
Cheese'n'rice, how many beers these guys in? Fallin asleep at the mic! Somebody play some Top 40 Country to wake em up. Nothing wrong with bouncing country booty songs cuz these guys were obviously drunk at the mic. The guy in plaid slurs and loses his train of thought. Count his hiccups.
The beauty of addiction songs is that they dont have to be based on a drug. It can be a person, or a lifestyle, or a mind-set(depression, anger, etc...). We all share that. We all get hooked on stuff
