Ben OConnor
- Nashville, TN
- Singing Guitarist
- 30 Verified Bookings
Kathryn H. said “Ben played at our corporate event and it was perfection! Everyone was blown away by his music…we didn’t want him to stop! He was also a pleasure to work…”
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Joe Castillo is a best selling author, an artist and storyteller who has developed new way of telling stories with his hands. He calls this latest innovation “SandStory”. These stories have become a world-wide sensation and Joe has performed for Presidents, Royalty, CEO’s, international corporations around the world and as a finalist on America’s Got Talent. His performances entertain, inspire and leave people with a sense of awe. Joe Castillo is the premier “SandStory” artist in the world today.
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Price Range: $5000-$25,000
Gig Length: 3 - 80 minutes
Languages: English, Spanish
Joe Castillo is a best selling author, an artist and storyteller who has developed new way of telling stories with his hands. He calls this latest innovation “SandStory”. These stories have become a world-wide sensation and Joe has performed for Presidents, Royalty, CEO’s, international corporations around the world and as a finalist on America’s Got Talent. His performances entertain, inspire and leave people with a sense of awe. Joe Castillo is the premier “SandStory” artist in the world today.
It all began innocently enough. A simple “honey do” list sent Joe Castillo to his local home improvement store. It was an ordinary trip, but Joe has always been able to see beyond the mundane. As he made his way down the sand aisle, he noticed a bag had opened and spilled on the concrete floor. Shoppers had scuffled through the sand, leaving lines and patterns. “I found myself dragging the toe of my sneaker through the sand,” recalls Joe. “I made it home with my ‘honey do’ list, but I also had a bag of sand, a kitchen light fixture, a piece of glass, and four table legs. And a SandStory was born.”
That commonplace “honey-do” trip was the catalyst that eventually took Joe into the living rooms of over 23 million viewers around the world as a finalist on the hit television show, America’s Got Talent in 2012. It was an experience of both highs and lows for Joe, who admits, there were some daunting moments.
“Being given only 90 seconds per Sand Story challenged me to condense some of my favorites,” says Joe. “But the response from viewers was always very positive and encouraging. Being on television was never a dream of mine. I know that fame and visibility comes with a price. But it has also opened a lot of doors for me to share my stories, and I have appreciated the kind feedback from the fans.”
Born in Mexico City, Joe was strongly influenced by his artistic family and the international art community. His mother taught painting, and his father owned a graphic design and display company. By age five, he was enrolled in his mom’s art class for the neighborhood children. When Joe was fifteen, his dad passed away and his family moved back to the U.S. where Joe finished high school and enrolled in Florida Bible College, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Bible. Joe combined his love for writing, teaching, and art to create what he called a WordStory and soon began speaking regularly at numerous events. His ability to speak both English and Spanish also helped extend his reach into places where others could not go.
Joe hesitantly began using his talents in commercial arts, and started an advertising agency which he built over the course of 20 years. But after his first wife died of breast cancer, Joe reassessed his life, gave up his agency and went back to school, graduating from Asbury Seminary.
Those humble beginnings launched a career unparalleled by anyone else in the world. Joe has created SandStory performances for Fortune 500 companies such as CBS, Walt Disney Company, NBC, Mercedes-Benz, P&G, and Apple as well as over thirty other major corporations. And though he has used his talents to entertain world leaders in more than 18 countries around the globe, Joe remains humble and appreciative of the opportunities he has been given.
“I believe that everyone has within them the gift of divine creativity,” says Joe. “It is not always manifested throughout the arts on a stage, but it always begins with the willingness to share the gift with people within your sphere of influence. If you share first with your family, your neighbor, your coworker, fellow student or friends, the stage can expand.”
As more doors open for Joe to impart his unique talents, he admits he wasn’t always aware of the ordinary moments that were building his character and craft. But he now looks back and realizes that even when he was taking part-time jobs airbrushing t-shirts, his skills were being honed and he was being prepared for bigger things.
“Despite the fact that I was an artist,” says Joe, “it took me a long time to realize how powerful the arts were in being able to inspire, reach and encourage people. I discovered the response to any story was always greater when I could tell it using visuals rather than words alone.”
“SandStory” Technical Rider
For Joe Castillo
“Epic Stories in a New Light”
Sand scattered on a light table, set to live or recorded music is formed into changing images and projected on screens for small or large audience viewing.
A powerful, entertaining performance with very little effort on your part.
As easy as:
1. A TV or Video Projector
2. A Sound System
3. A Good Story to tell.
PROVIDED BY CLIENT:
1. Video Projection or TV Screen: The screen should be visible to the entire audience (The larger the screen and the brighter the projector, the more powerful the impact.)
2. Audio: A Stereo Audio feed from Joe Castillo’s light table to the sound system. If Joe is expected to speak, a wireless lapel or earpiece mike is necessary.
PROVIDED BY JOE CASTILLO:
Light/Sand Table see diagram below (assembly is 25 minutes on or back stage)
Video and Audio check at least 30 minutes before doors open.
Sand, Light Table, Camera and Music (ipod) are provided by Joe Castillo:
TECHNICAL INFORMATION FOR THE AUDIO/VISUAL TEAM:
PROVIDED BY CLIENT:
1. Stage: 4’ x 8’ area must be provided on stage within clear view of the audience with an 110V extension cord, audio feed and video feed.
2. Video Projection: The screen should be large enough to provide clear visibility for the entire audience (The larger the screen and the brighter the projector, the more powerful the impact.)
3. Video Feed: A video feed must be provided from Joe Castillo’s video camera to the switcher or digital projector. The client must provide the appropriate cable to connect the video camera to the projector, including all the jacks and cables.
Available Video Formats:
• Composite (RCA, BNC or Coax jacks) Standard coaxial (TV cable) jacks
• Component (Three RCA jacks – RGB or 9 pin VGA jack)
• HDMI – (HDMI cable) plugs into the projector or switcher.
• SDI - (Uses BNC or CAT5 Cable)
4. Audio: a) A quality, sound system B) Stereo Audio feed from Joe Castillo’s light table to the sound system. 1/8” mini, ” , RCA or XLR Jacks c) a sound person to monitor the sound during the performance. C) If Joe is expected to speak, a wireless lapel or earpiece mike is required for Joe Castillo.
5. Lighting: The auditorium is best if darkened during the “SandStory” performance. During daylight hours windows can be draped or shaded. Backlighting and a soft color wash for Joe Castillo can be provided during the performance and stage light or a spot is also preferable during speaking times.
PROVIDED BY JOE CASTILLO:
Light/Sand Table see diagram below (assembly is 25 minutes on or back stage)
Video and Audio check at least 30 minutes before doors open.
Sand, Light Table, Camera and Music (iPod) are provided by Joe Castillo:
1. A TV or Video Projector
2. A Sound System
3. A Good Story to tell.
Kathryn H. said “Ben played at our corporate event and it was perfection! Everyone was blown away by his music…we didn’t want him to stop! He was also a pleasure to work…”
Rita S. said “Having a comedian join your event is always a fun touch! Lav Luv was easy to work with even as a very last-minute booking for our event. A true pro!”
Meina B. said “Ansar’s performance was incredibly engaging and truly made our day. His willingness to wait patiently and even assist with setting up the candles and…”
Lisa L. said “Kandice is not only reliable and responsible, but she communicates well and keep you I had several special requests which she carried out to perfection.…”