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Ben Bailie Johnson

Easton, PA

Contact for rates

Singing Guitarist

Travels up to 150 miles

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Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Ben Bailie Johnson

First Day of My Life (vacation mode)

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for Ben Bailie Johnson

Til Kingdom Come by Coldplay

Promotional video thumbnail 3 for Ben Bailie Johnson

Ukulele pop-punk medley from APCA Conference

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Indie/Alternative Medley

College Conference in Houston

Songleader: Ben introduces an audience to a new song

Attire matters. Ben will add value to your event by becoming a part of the atmosphere.

4 Videos 4 Audio 8 Photos

Overview

*Limited spots available*

• Imagine 4-7 hours of your favorite mid-90s to mid-2000s Indie/Alt/PopPunk music, PLUS numerous classics from the 60s, 70s, and 80s thrown in, AND an occasional, catchy original played on acoustic guitar and skilled vocalist.

• Imagine a performer who is just as dedicated to his individual clients leading up to the event as he is to his craft of performing.

• Imagine being the party planner who receives high five and praise from guests for such an amazing time.

With over 15 years of pro expertise, and a ridiculous repertoire, working with Ben isn’t just a good time, but an experience like no other. Your guests will love you, and your heart will too.

Reviews

36 reviews

Emily E.

August 5, 2025

Verified review

Great to work with!

Ben did a great job at our event, he was easy to work with and sounded great!

Hired as: Singing Guitarist

Andrew L.

July 27, 2023

Verified review

Excellent Performer, Nice Person

Arrived early, set up quickly, played for he full allotted time. The guests were impressed with his music selection and skill and remarked how much they enjoyed his performance. Spent time talking with him and found him to be a very kind and pleasant personality. Highly recommended.

Hired as: Guitarist

Ben Bailie Johnson

Thanks for the review and kind words, Andrew! The pleasure was mine! - Ben

Joanne C.

December 11, 2022

Verified review

Great..highly recommend

Ben did a wonderful job playing for a 50th birthday party at my home. We had great communication leading up to the event. Ben arrived early and sounded great playing songs I had requested. Highly recommend. Thanks Ben for making the event memorable.

Hired as: Singing Guitarist

Lee E.

August 17, 2022

Verified review

Friendly professional

Truly professional from initial contact to payment to follow-up to arriving on time to starting on time. He plays a huge library of songs, is a talented guitarist and has a great voice. He was also very engaging while conversing afterwards. This was my first time booking live music and it truly was easy. Book Ben and you will not be disappointed!

Hired as: Singing Guitarist

Deanna F.

August 10, 2021

Verified review

Engagement Surprise

Ben drove several hours last minute to surprise my son and his girlfriend (fiancé) by singing a few wonderful songs after they got engaged. My son said it was “incredible” and he was the perfect person and sounded amazing. Thank you, Ben for making this occasion even more memorable!

Hired as: Street Performer

Ben Bailie Johnson

Thanks, Deanna! It was my great pleasure! - Ben

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Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

Languages: English

Gig length: 5 - 800 minutes

What to expect

You can first expect a professional who will be polite and courteous, who will show up (on time) when he says he will, and do his job. I'm super flexible and easy to work with, and I'm super trustworthy. You can expect see a performer who loves to sing, and loves to talk with the crowd (when appropriate). You can also expect someone who is perfectly comfortable with being background music and keeping conversation to a minimal (like at a wedding/cocktail party).

Need songs learned? Written? That can all be done!

I am also comfortable with providing music for funerals or memorials. You will find that I will handle these situations with great candor and sensitivity, with my aim always to bless those who are mourning.

About

Benjamin Bailie Johnson is a singer/songwriter who specializes in acoustic-based Indie/Powerpop music (plus oldies and other stuff too). Originally from New Jersey (by way of Missouri), Ben has performed in almost all 50 states, Spain and Mexico, made appearances at several US-based music festivals including Bonnaroo and Vans Warped Tour. He has played with the likes of The Maine, The Early November, Mayday Parade, Artifex Pereo, Listener, Divided By Friday, Never Shout Never, Richard Page (Mr. Mister), and Ringo Starr & his Allstar Band. (Once he even beat-boxed for Bobby McFerrin.)

Ben is also a street musician and can often be found, these days, on the boardwalks of New Jersey, and sidewalks of New Hope, PA and Philadelphia.

Ben has been featured on FOX News, CBS, Kansas City Live, PBS New Jersey, and (link hidden), and recently just published an interactive digital ebook, "Better Busking with Ben The Street Musician: How Street Performing Can Help You Master Your Craft and Form Meaningful Connections Related To Your Art."

Ben is passionate about music, human connection, mental health issues, and the importance of collective effort. He also plays private and corporate events, weddings, parties, and more, and is available for workshops, songwriting sessions, singalong parties, and speaking events.

Additional booking notes

I have my own PA, microphones and equipment that I can bring with me, if needed. Set up and turn down usually takes no more than 10 minutes (5 for each). I also have a loud, projecting voice, and because of street performing, I can play totally not plugged in at all.

Services offered

31

Saturday

Birthday Party

5:30pm - 9:30pm

•

Ocean City, NJ

25

Sunday

Birthday Party

7:30pm - 7:45pm

•

Deal, NJ

03

Saturday

15

Friday

24

Saturday

Birthday Party

2:00pm - 4:00pm

•

Hamilton, NJ

Friday

Camp Event

8:00pm - 10:00pm

•

Newton, NJ

June 2019

30

Sunday

Baby Shower

2:30pm - 4:00pm

•

South River, NJ

24

Monday

VBS @ NPC

9:00am - 12:30pm

Thursday

11

Monday

Vans Warped Tour - Street Performance

9:00am - 8:00pm

10

Sunday

Street Performance @ Lambertville, NJ

12:00pm - 5:00pm

09

Saturday

Street Performance @ New Hope, PA

12:00pm - 10:00pm

08

Friday

Street Performance @ Vans Warped Tour

10:00am - 7:00pm

07

Thursday

Show @ Treehouse Lounge

7:00pm - 10:00pm

06

Wednesday

Street Performance @ Vans Warped Tour

10:00am - 6:00pm

05

Tuesday

Street Performance @ Vans Warped Tour

12:00pm - 5:00pm

Set list

PopPunk/Indie/Alternative

Angels & Airwaves - The Adventure
Angels & Airwaves - Rite of Spring
Angels & Airwaves - Start the Machine
Angels & Airwaves - The War

blink 182 - First Date
blink 182 - The Rock Show
blink 182 - Stay Together For The Kids
blink 182 - All The Small Things
blink 182 - What's My Age Again?
blink 182 - Going Away To College
blink 182 - Adam's Song
blink 182 - Always
blink 182 - I Miss You
blink 182 - Dammit

Bright Eyes - First Day of My Life
Bright Eyes - Poison Oak
Bright Eyes - Haligh, Haligh, A lie, Haligh

Coldplay - Fix You
Coldplay - Green Eyes
Coldplay - Yellow
Coldplay - Til Kingdom Come

Dashboard Confessional - Don't Wait
Dashboard Confessional - Hands Down
Dashboard Confessional - Several Ways To Die Trying

Death Cab For Cutie - I'll Follow You Into The Dark
Death Cab For Cutie - The New Year
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism

Dispatch - The General
Dispatch - Bang Bang
Dispatch - Out Loud

Eve 6 - Inside Out
Eve 6 - Here's To The Night
Eve 6 - Promise
Eve 6 - Think Twice
Eve 6 - Girlfriend

Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Green Day - Minority
Green Day - Basket Case
Green Day - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)

Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American
Jimmy Eat World - A Praise Chorus
Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me
Jimmy Eat World - My Sundown
Jimmy Eat World - For Me This Is Heaven
Jimmy Eat World - Tables For Glasses
Jimmy Eat World - Clarity
Jimmy Eat World - 12.23.95
Jimmy Eat World - Big Casino
Jimmy Eat World - Futures
Jimmy Eat World - Work
Jimmy Eat World - Kill

Radiohead - High and Dry
Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees
Radiohead - No Surprises
Radiohead - True Love Waits
Radiohead - Optimistic
Radiohead - Karma Police
Radiohead - Creep
Radiohead - Nice Dream
Radiohead - I Will

Third Eye Blind - How's it gonna be?
Third Eye Blind - Jumper
Third Eye Blind - Semi-Charmed Life
Third Eye Blind - Never Let You Go

Weezer - Say It Ain't So
Weezer - Island In The Sun
Weezer - In The Garage
Weezer - El Scorcho
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Weezer - My Name Is Jonas

Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue
Yellowcard - Only One
Yellowcard - Sing For Me
Yellowcard - Rest In Peace
Yellowcard - A Place We Set Afire
Yellowcard - California

Singles:

The Ataris - In This Diary
The Ataris - Boys of Summer
Blues Traveler - Run Around
Brand New - Okay, I believe you...
The Cranberries - Zombie
The Cranberries - Salvation
Ed Sheeran - Perfect
Grandaddy - Now It's On
Grandaddy - Nature Anthem
Imagine Dragons - On Top of The World
Jacks Mannequin - Swim
Joan Osbourne - One of Us
The Killers - Mr. Brightside
MGMT - Kids
Miley Cyrus - Party in the USA
Mountain Goats - This Year
Mumford & Sons - Awake My Soul
My Chemical Romance - Disenchanted
My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay
Nickel Creek - Doubting Thomas
Oasis - Champaign Supernova
Oasis - Wonderful
Smash Mouth - Allstar
Something Corporate - 21 & Invincible
Something Corporate - I Woke Up In A Car
Straylight Run - Existentialism on Prom Night
Straylight Run - It's For The Best
The Swell Season - Falling Slowly
Taking Back Sunday - Faith
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag

Originals (There are many more. These are what I play most often):

Angeline
Clear
Coffee (custom song)
Come Home Dylan
Cowgirl Boots
Heaven Knows
Just a Lullaby
Parking Lots in America
Real Friends
Swipe Right (custom song)
Ugly Sweater (custom song)
You Have A Beautiful Voice

Oldies:

Allman Brothers Band - Midnight Rider
Allman Brothers Band - Rambling man
Allman Brothers Band - Melissa

Beach Boys - Surfer Girl
Beach Boys - Little Honda
Beach Boys - Help Me, Rhonda

The Beatles - Nowhere Man
The Beatles - In My Life
The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun
The Beatles - Hard Days Night
The Beatles - Act Naturally

Billy Joel - We Didn't Start The Fire
Billy Joel - You May Be Right

Crosby, Stills, & Nash - Teach Your Children Well

Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight

Jackson Browne - Take It Easy
Jackson Browne - These Days
Jackson Browne - Barricades of Heaven

James Taylor - Sweet Baby James
James Taylor - You've Got A Friend

John Denver - Country Roads

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama

Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Tom Petty - Learning To Fly

Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl

Woody Guthrie - This Land Is Your Land

Influences and inspiration

Radiohead, Jimmy Eat World, Death Cab For Cutie, Ben Folds, Bright Eyes, Angels & Airwaves, Blink 182, Jacks Mannequin, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Randy Newman, Martin Sexton, Mr. Mister, 80s and 90s pop/rock songs, Mid-2000s pop-punk/indie rock, Weird Al Yankovic (and through him a whole host of artists - Foo Fighters, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Presidents of the USA, and many more).

Setup requirements

Vocal microphone

Amplifier of some kind

DI box, if available

I can provide all that's needed.

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