When Benji Padgett began learning how to play piano as a child he knew immediately that music was going to be his life’s passion. Now the Plant City native is making waves as his music begins to spread across the area.
Recently, Kelly Clarkson hosted a contest where she asked artists to cover her song “I Don't Think About You.” Clarkson personally select Padgett as the top four and viewers across the world came together to vote him to victory. He and his mother were flown out to Hollywood to enjoy the finale of The Voice.
While he’s gained a cult following here in his hometown, he said it was humbling and exciting to see strangers rally
behind him and support his music.
“This was a once in a lifetime — at least for now — experience,” Padgett said. “Just the opportunities and places I went to was amazing. It was an amazing trip.”
During his trip he was able to see some of Hollywood’s iconic locations and then enjoy the family and friend seating during the finale. He said at one point Carson Daly walked right in front of them and that he loved getting to see the behind the scenes aspect of such an influential show.
Padgett has been singing since he was in children’s choir at his church. In middle school he began to branch out to other genres. Now he is in a Christian band called, “Dudes With a Purpose” and also is working on his solo career.
The band, comprised of Padgett, Luke Whitmore and Erick Polanco, perform regularly throughout the area. They often frequent Krazy Kup’s music stage and have performed at large events like the inaugural Praise in the Park event and the Common Ground Movement. Solo, Padgett plays at events throughout town, at the FFA state convention,
He has an EP that will be released this summer full of his original music. He describes his sound as “alternative pop” and is influenced by his Christian and country roots. “Dudes With a Purpose” is also on its way to becoming a household name as Padgett, Whitmore and Polanco pour hours into making sure they are coming up with creative and original material.
“I think recently there’s been a shift for me,” Padgett said. “I’ve been focused on my music career and my journey, but recently I’ve been really focused on bringing other people along with me. Writing with the band is so much different than what I do in my solo work. They give me new ideas that I’d never thought about.”
He said the band wants its listeners to feel God’s presence when they perform, to get an experience out of each set and not just enjoy the music. It’s taken a long time to start to gain a following, Padgett said, but the support he now receives from Plant City continues to catch him off guard.
Though he’s only 19 years old, Padgett is gaining recognition seldom seen at his stage in the industry. Following Clarkson’s contest he said some of his Youtube videos jumped from a few hundred views to thousands in the span of a few weeks.
Using inspiration from his own life he hopes to create music both personally and with his band that resonates with listeners and offers more than just a “catchy beat.” Quality trumps quantity and he said he plans to take his time to make sure his first full album is full of nothing but the highest quality work he can produce.
The band can often be found performing at Krazy Kup and their scheduled events can be found on Facebook. Both Padgett and “Dudes With a Purpose” can be booked on their social media pages. Padgett can also be reached by his website benjipadgettmusic.com.
“I love music, it’s in my blood,” Padgett said. “I’m so thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given and I hope that people really resonate with our music. I’m growing as an artist and really excited about what the future holds.”