Minneapolis musician raises money through song for people affected by sarcoma
Iowa-raised, Minneapolis-based Ben Cook-Feltz is a singer, songwriter, drummer and self-taught pianist.
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For many, the holiday season is celebrated through music. Minneapolis musician Ben Cook-Feltz wrote an entire album to celebrate with. In one song, he pays tribute to frosty nights, meals with loved ones; in another, he hypes up Christmas vacation. He will celebrate Sunday with his fourth-annual “Holiday Shindig” at the Cedar Cultural Center.
The celebration has a special meaning for Ben: he is a childhood cancer survivor and is donating proceeds from the event to Rein in Sarcoma, an organization that benefits people with sarcoma, a rare bone and tissue cancer. He joins MPR News host Nina Moini to share some of his music.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Audio transcript
[BEN COOK-FELTZ, "SONG FOR A WINTER'S NIGHT"] If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter's night with you
NINA MOINI: That's very nice. For many, the holiday season is celebrated through music. What you just heard was one Minneapolis musician's tribute to the frosty nights and meals with loved ones. And he actually I wrote an entire album to celebrate Christmas. Ben Cook-Feltz is celebrating the holiday with his fourth annual holiday music gathering at the Cedar Cultural Center this Sunday. And the celebration has a special meaning for Ben. He's a childhood cancer survivor and is donating proceeds from the event to Rein in Sarcoma, an organization that benefits people with a rare bone and tissue cancer. And Ben joins me right now to share some more of his music. Thanks so much for being here, Ben.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, thank you for having me.
NINA MOINI: I always love being introduced to new music and local music on this show. I think it's so wonderful. A lot of people have made holiday albums. Why was it important to you to make a Christmas album with all of this original music?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, a full caveat-- these aren't all original songs. That would have been a little crazy. But I made this record in the spring and summer of 2020, so at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. And at the time, it really just was something that I wanted to do, as a means of just finding something joyful to focus on in the midst of all of this uncertainty and chaos. And the feeling ended up propelling me through those times. And once everything opened up again, I was able to translate some of that same feeling to these shows that I've been doing ever since.
NINA MOINI: That's beautiful. So you've been doing it ever since. So this will be your fourth annual holiday show. And again, it's really beautiful that you're doing this to benefit children with sarcoma. As I mentioned, you're a childhood cancer survivor. Why was it important to you to have this cause associated with the show and to share your own experience with cancer?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, I always feel like the holidays, especially, are a good time for giving back. So making this a benefit concert just seemed like the right thing to do. And yeah, as a childhood cancer survivor, and specifically a sarcoma cancer survivor, I always feel very indebted to, really, the entire world that helped me and got me through this. And there's not a lot that I can do because I'm not a doctor or a scientist myself. I am just a musician. I sit and play the piano. But if I can raise some awareness for this organization and maybe help get the word out about early detection for sarcoma cancers, and at the same time, play some holiday music and rekindle some nostalgia and joy in people, I feel like that's a job well done.
NINA MOINI: Yeah. And you may not be a doctor. But musicians and music is so important to just everything in our lives. So let's listen to another one of your holiday songs.
[BEN COOK-FELTZ, "WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS"] Like I'd ever seen
Slice up the fruitcake
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough
For I've grown a little leaner
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older
And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder
We need a little Christmas now
We need a little Christmas now
NINA MOINI: So that was your song, Need a Little Christmas. I'm curious what you were thinking about. What were you feeling when you were writing that?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, again, I will, in disclosure, did not write that song. I think it was originally-- well, I first heard it through the Muppets because you can't have Christmas without the Muppets. And A Muppet Family Christmas is one of my favorite specials. And again, that song in particular felt very important when I recorded it. In 2020, just needing Christmas more than ever, when you're feeling a little down and when times seem a little distraught and uncertain. And I would say it kind of feels like that right now as well. So it just seems like a good thing to reiterate the message that any way can find joy, you should go for it. And Christmas is a really good, easy way to do that.
NINA MOINI: Yeah, and so with your Holiday Shindig coming up, what has it been like over the years? What has the response been like from community?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: I'd say pretty good. It's steadily built. We did the last couple at KJ's Hideaway, which is unfortunately now no longer in existence in downtown Saint Paul. But the shows have steadily gotten bigger and more exciting. And I really can't wait to bring this little circus to the Cedar Cultural Center.
NINA MOINI: Yeah, that'll be so fun. I'm so happy for you. We're going to listen to another one of your songs. I'm curious, is this one you wrote? It's called The OK Factor?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Oh, it's a collaboration with The OK Factor. And the song is Some Children See Him, which is one of my father's favorite Christmas songs. So I dedicated it to him.
NINA MOINI: Let's take a listen.
[BEN COOK-FELTZ, "SOME CHILDREN SEE HIM"]
NINA MOINI: That was very beautiful. How did you go about, I guess, collaborating or creating this tune?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, I've known The OK Factor for about 10 years now. They're a violin-cello duo. And we actually come from the same hometown in Iowa, Cedar Falls.
NINA MOINI: Oh, sure.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: And they also have a very deep love for Christmas. They've made several Christmas records and do several performances throughout the season, so doing a collaboration with them just felt like something I absolutely had to do.
NINA MOINI: I'm curious if you like more upbeat Christmas music or more kind of like, slower, more thoughtful, like, what do you like more?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: That's a good question. I think there's room for both. I will say, I'm not the biggest fan of sad Christmas music. There's a raging debate in my family over whether or not Joni Mitchell's River is actually a Christmas song. But I do love a mix of music that's very upbeat and also a little bit more somber, stuff that causes little reflection and nostalgia.
NINA MOINI: Yeah, and it sounds like your album really offers both. Let's listen to one more tune. It's called Christmas Vacation.
[BEN COOK-FELTZ, "CHRISTMAS VACATION"] Got a ton of stuff to celebrate
Now it's getting closer, I can't wait
Going to make this holiday as perfect as can be
Just wait and see, this Christmas vacation
Well, this old house sure is looking good
NINA MOINI: Very nostalgic, that one. I really liked that one.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Thank you.
NINA MOINI: So I'm curious, you've been doing this for four years. It's going to a wonderful cause. What do you hope folks get out of the show? What is your pitch to folks to come and participate?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, I just say, if you like Christmas music, if you like joy, you should come to this concert. My hope is that I'm able to translate some of my deep, real love for Christmas through this music to other people and that maybe I can, in turn, provide a little bit of nostalgia for them and create some new memories. I will say that this event is family friendly, so kids are welcome. And I have a five-year-old son, and part of the joy of this season is just watching him slowly grow to love everything about Christmas. And so hopefully, if you feel like bringing your kids along and maybe planting the little Christmas-loving germ in their bodies, go for it.
NINA MOINI: Awesome. Ben, thank you so much for sharing your music with us.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Thank you.
NINA MOINI: I hope you have a wonderful time at your event.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Thank you very much.
NINA MOINI: Take care. That was Minneapolis musician Ben COOK-FELTZ. We'll have more information about his Fourth Annual Holiday Shindig at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis this Sunday on our website, mprnews.org.
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter's night with you
NINA MOINI: That's very nice. For many, the holiday season is celebrated through music. What you just heard was one Minneapolis musician's tribute to the frosty nights and meals with loved ones. And he actually I wrote an entire album to celebrate Christmas. Ben Cook-Feltz is celebrating the holiday with his fourth annual holiday music gathering at the Cedar Cultural Center this Sunday. And the celebration has a special meaning for Ben. He's a childhood cancer survivor and is donating proceeds from the event to Rein in Sarcoma, an organization that benefits people with a rare bone and tissue cancer. And Ben joins me right now to share some more of his music. Thanks so much for being here, Ben.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, thank you for having me.
NINA MOINI: I always love being introduced to new music and local music on this show. I think it's so wonderful. A lot of people have made holiday albums. Why was it important to you to make a Christmas album with all of this original music?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, a full caveat-- these aren't all original songs. That would have been a little crazy. But I made this record in the spring and summer of 2020, so at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. And at the time, it really just was something that I wanted to do, as a means of just finding something joyful to focus on in the midst of all of this uncertainty and chaos. And the feeling ended up propelling me through those times. And once everything opened up again, I was able to translate some of that same feeling to these shows that I've been doing ever since.
NINA MOINI: That's beautiful. So you've been doing it ever since. So this will be your fourth annual holiday show. And again, it's really beautiful that you're doing this to benefit children with sarcoma. As I mentioned, you're a childhood cancer survivor. Why was it important to you to have this cause associated with the show and to share your own experience with cancer?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, I always feel like the holidays, especially, are a good time for giving back. So making this a benefit concert just seemed like the right thing to do. And yeah, as a childhood cancer survivor, and specifically a sarcoma cancer survivor, I always feel very indebted to, really, the entire world that helped me and got me through this. And there's not a lot that I can do because I'm not a doctor or a scientist myself. I am just a musician. I sit and play the piano. But if I can raise some awareness for this organization and maybe help get the word out about early detection for sarcoma cancers, and at the same time, play some holiday music and rekindle some nostalgia and joy in people, I feel like that's a job well done.
NINA MOINI: Yeah. And you may not be a doctor. But musicians and music is so important to just everything in our lives. So let's listen to another one of your holiday songs.
[BEN COOK-FELTZ, "WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS"] Like I'd ever seen
Slice up the fruitcake
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough
For I've grown a little leaner
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older
And I need a little angel sitting on my shoulder
We need a little Christmas now
We need a little Christmas now
NINA MOINI: So that was your song, Need a Little Christmas. I'm curious what you were thinking about. What were you feeling when you were writing that?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, again, I will, in disclosure, did not write that song. I think it was originally-- well, I first heard it through the Muppets because you can't have Christmas without the Muppets. And A Muppet Family Christmas is one of my favorite specials. And again, that song in particular felt very important when I recorded it. In 2020, just needing Christmas more than ever, when you're feeling a little down and when times seem a little distraught and uncertain. And I would say it kind of feels like that right now as well. So it just seems like a good thing to reiterate the message that any way can find joy, you should go for it. And Christmas is a really good, easy way to do that.
NINA MOINI: Yeah, and so with your Holiday Shindig coming up, what has it been like over the years? What has the response been like from community?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: I'd say pretty good. It's steadily built. We did the last couple at KJ's Hideaway, which is unfortunately now no longer in existence in downtown Saint Paul. But the shows have steadily gotten bigger and more exciting. And I really can't wait to bring this little circus to the Cedar Cultural Center.
NINA MOINI: Yeah, that'll be so fun. I'm so happy for you. We're going to listen to another one of your songs. I'm curious, is this one you wrote? It's called The OK Factor?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Oh, it's a collaboration with The OK Factor. And the song is Some Children See Him, which is one of my father's favorite Christmas songs. So I dedicated it to him.
NINA MOINI: Let's take a listen.
[BEN COOK-FELTZ, "SOME CHILDREN SEE HIM"]
NINA MOINI: That was very beautiful. How did you go about, I guess, collaborating or creating this tune?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, I've known The OK Factor for about 10 years now. They're a violin-cello duo. And we actually come from the same hometown in Iowa, Cedar Falls.
NINA MOINI: Oh, sure.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: And they also have a very deep love for Christmas. They've made several Christmas records and do several performances throughout the season, so doing a collaboration with them just felt like something I absolutely had to do.
NINA MOINI: I'm curious if you like more upbeat Christmas music or more kind of like, slower, more thoughtful, like, what do you like more?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: That's a good question. I think there's room for both. I will say, I'm not the biggest fan of sad Christmas music. There's a raging debate in my family over whether or not Joni Mitchell's River is actually a Christmas song. But I do love a mix of music that's very upbeat and also a little bit more somber, stuff that causes little reflection and nostalgia.
NINA MOINI: Yeah, and it sounds like your album really offers both. Let's listen to one more tune. It's called Christmas Vacation.
[BEN COOK-FELTZ, "CHRISTMAS VACATION"] Got a ton of stuff to celebrate
Now it's getting closer, I can't wait
Going to make this holiday as perfect as can be
Just wait and see, this Christmas vacation
Well, this old house sure is looking good
NINA MOINI: Very nostalgic, that one. I really liked that one.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Thank you.
NINA MOINI: So I'm curious, you've been doing this for four years. It's going to a wonderful cause. What do you hope folks get out of the show? What is your pitch to folks to come and participate?
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Well, I just say, if you like Christmas music, if you like joy, you should come to this concert. My hope is that I'm able to translate some of my deep, real love for Christmas through this music to other people and that maybe I can, in turn, provide a little bit of nostalgia for them and create some new memories. I will say that this event is family friendly, so kids are welcome. And I have a five-year-old son, and part of the joy of this season is just watching him slowly grow to love everything about Christmas. And so hopefully, if you feel like bringing your kids along and maybe planting the little Christmas-loving germ in their bodies, go for it.
NINA MOINI: Awesome. Ben, thank you so much for sharing your music with us.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Thank you.
NINA MOINI: I hope you have a wonderful time at your event.
BEN COOK-FELTZ: Thank you very much.
NINA MOINI: Take care. That was Minneapolis musician Ben COOK-FELTZ. We'll have more information about his Fourth Annual Holiday Shindig at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis this Sunday on our website, mprnews.org.
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