20 years ago Jaymee met an unbelievably talented songwriter named Benny who had been touring in a popular Beatles Cover band as the "Paul McCartney" of the group, who could mimic Paul's voice, movements and play multiple instruments like Paul to perfection. At one point Jaymee heard a collection of home recordings Benny had been compiling on a new digital home recording software using dial up internet (2003). The songs and recordings were heavily influenced musically by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Harry Nilsson and Kurt Cobain, with super vulnerable comedic lyrics, all held together in an unintentionally cool low-fi sound. Jaymee's mind was blown instantly, and he coveted these unknown recordings with a passion, but shortly after meeting Benny, Jaymee's life began the downward spiral of addiction and homelessness (that has been well documented on this show), and the two new friends lost all communication for the past two decades.

Jaymee was so excited recently to find the collection of old Benny recordings, and began listening to them often and sharing them with friends, realizing this collection of songs is one of Jaymee's favorite albums of all time. As fortune would have it, Benny and Jaymee reunited a couple weeks ago, and Jaymee invited him on the podcast to unleash this album on the public once and for all, and share some of the heartbreaking and downright hilarious stories behind the songs and recordings that have captivated and inspired Jaymee as an artist since 2003.

On this episode, the two old friends listen to all 11 songs, taking a break after each to comment, to laugh and even sing together back the favorite parts of each recording. You'll get to hear Jaymee in a rare music nerd space, and Benny is sure to win you over as one of the most lovable and talented human beings on the planet.

Love Is The Author podcast: hosted, edited and produced by Jaymee Carpenter.

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