About Ben:
Ben Toalson, lead singer, electric/acoustic guitarist
Q & A session
Q. How long have you played the electric and acoustic guitars?
A. I’ve played acoustic guitar for about 11 years now and electric for about 8 years. I’ve played the piano on and off for about 15 years.
Q. Awesome. What got you started in music?
A. I don’t really remember a specific time that I was, like, “I need to start doing music.” I always loved it. My mom and her three brothers did some music together and stuff, and that was kind of an inspiration. I thought it was cool. I sang with my dad in church. I sang “He’s Still Working on Me”…[breaks out into song]
Q. OK. Moving on. What got you started in Progeny?
A. Marrying Rachel.
Q. That’s it?
A. What do you want me to say?
Q. OK, well, why Progeny?
A. Because I believe in the mission that we have and the things we stand for.
Q. Favorite food.
A. Pizza. Papa Johns pizza, to be specific.
Q. Great. We like specific. Favorite song?
A. Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen.
Q. Favorite band?
A. The Foo.
Q. Favorite movie ever.
A. I’d have to say Reign Over Me.
Q. So you’re more of a drama guy than a comedy guy?
A. I love comedies, but I appreciate a really good drama. Reign Over Me deals with loss in an amazing way.
Q. Sensitive guy, huh? Girls like that.
A. I’m married. My wife is the only girl who needs to like it.
Q. Okay. Favorite candy?
A. Butterfinger.
Q. Do you have other hobbies?
A. I like to play tennis. If I could have hobbies, I would like hiking and camping. I like to do videos and design Web sites.
Q. Are you an only child?
A. Nope. I have a younger brother.
Q. I’m going to ask you some random questions. Just go with me, ok?
A. OK.
Q. If you could be a superhero, who would you be?
A. Batman because he doesn’t actually have super powers. He puts it all together himself and goes out and protects people. He doesn’t cheat, you know? He just works with what he has. I would have to say MacGyver is a close second, but he’s not really a superhero.
Q. Good, good. OK, if you could be an animal, what would you be?
A. I would be a tortoise because they do things slowly.
Rachel: [Ben’s wife] That’s for sure.
Q. What planet would you most like to visit?
A. I would like to visit Mars because Barrett’s there.
Q. Finish the sentence. Lifetime supply of…blank.
A. Matching socks…I can never find a pair of matching socks.
Rachel: Probably because you keep your clothes lying all over the floor.
A. I tried to do the folding the clothes up, but it just wasn’t for me.
Q. That’s great. So, if you were a weapon, what would you be?
A. Chuck Norris.
Q. Alright. And if you were an insect, which would you be?
A. I would be a praying mantis because praying mantises are awesome. They’re just bad.
Q. They’re bad?
A. Yeah. Bad.
Q. OK. If you were an animal sound, which would you be.
A. I would be a dolphin sound. [tries to make the dolphin sound but ends up screeching Eee Eee] See, I can’t even do it. I’ve always wanted to do it. Can anybody do the dolphin sound?
Q. Probably not. Moving on. If you had a million dollars, how would you most like to have made it?
A. I would like to have made a million dollars from sitting down in that chair [points to an armchair across the room].
Q. No brilliant invention or anything?
A. Nope. Just sitting.
Q. Wow. OK, this is the last question. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A. Your mom’s house. HA!
