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Ben Hoffman

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For other people with the same name, see Ben Hoffman (disambiguation).

Ben Hoffman
Born
Benjamin Isaac Hoffman

(1974-12-13) December 13, 1974 (age 50)[1]
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Other namesWheeler Walker, Jr.
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actor
  • writer
  • producer
  • musician
Years active2005–present
Musical career
OriginNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels
Websitewheelerwalkerjr.com
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2015–present
Subscribers745K[2]
Last updated: Monday July 15, 2024

Benjamin Isaac Hoffman (born December 13, 1974) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and musician.[3] Hoffman is well known by his country musician alter ego Wheeler Walker Jr., as whom he has released five studio albums.

His first album as Wheeler Walker Jr., Redneck Shit, debuted in 2016 at number nine on the Billboard Hot Country Albums chart and number one on the Billboard Top Comedy Albums chart, making it the first album in over a decade to debut in the top ten on both those charts simultaneously.[4] Despite no FM radio play, Hoffman found success with streaming and social media.

Reception to Hoffman's music has been mixed, largely due to the raunchiness of his lyrics and themes.[5] Some have called the Wheeler Walker Jr. character an "experiment in free speech" and "a platform to speak out against censorship and bias in the music industry".[6] Hoffman has been vocal about his use of the character as a means to express his displeasure with the modern state of the country music industry, particularly the rise of the bro-country subgenre.[7]

Early life

[edit]

Hoffman was born in Lexington, Kentucky.[8][9] He is the older brother of Scissor Sisters bassist Babydaddy (Scott Hoffman).[9] Hoffman is Jewish and attended Tulane University.[10] He graduated from the University of Kentucky.

Career

[edit]

Hoffman created and hosted The Ben Show, which premiered on Comedy Central on February 28, 2013. The show was broadcast for one season.

He was a writer and correspondent for the Sports Show with Norm Macdonald, and has written for the MTV Video Music Awards, Archer, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. He has appeared in acting roles on Arrested Development, New Girl and Drunk History and has produced content for and appeared on InfoMania.[9][11]

In 2020, Hoffman created the Netflix adult animated comedy series Hoops. In addition to writing, he provided voice talent and was also an executive producer alongside Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Seth Cohen, and Jake Johnson.[12] The show was cancelled after the completion of one season.[13]

Wheeler Walker, Jr.

[edit]

Hoffman debuted an early version of the satirical country music artist Wheeler Walker Jr. character on a skit for The Ben Show in 2013 where he performed his song "Eatin' Pussy, Kickin' Ass".

He recorded and released his first album, Redneck Shit, on February 12, 2016, via Thirty Tigers and Pepper Hill Records. The album was produced by Dave Cobb out of Nashville and originally premiered via stream on the pornographic website PornHub.[14] It debuted at number nine on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, number one on the Billboard Top Comedy Albums chart, and number 127 on the US Billboard 200.[15] It was the first album to debut in both the top ten of the comedy and country charts. It sold 5,900 copies in its first week.[16][17]

Rolling Stone called it "Unfathomably obscene and undeniably offensive, the debut album from Nashville never-was Wheeler Walker Jr. is also goddamn funny. But Redneck Shit is far from just an X-rated novelty record."[18]

I took my fucking life savings, which I don't want to mention here, 'cause it ain't much to brag about, and I gave it all to Dave and said, let's make the album without any fucking record company telling me what to do".

—Hoffman on creating his first album.[19]

The Wheeler Walker Jr. persona has been compared to other artists such as Chinga Chavin, Andy Kaufman, and David Allan Coe.[20][21] The character's fictional biography outlines his history as an unsigned Nashville talent too crude for mainstream radio due to his desire to revamp the classic outlaw country style by playing songs that would have "gotten him yanked off the Grand Ol' Opry broadcast in a matter of seconds", although he finally found success with the rise of uncensored satellite radio and the internet.[22]

On April 16, 2016, Hoffman appeared as the character on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode #786.[23] He has been a guest on a number of other podcasts including Your Mom's House with Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky,[24] The Church of What's Happening Now with Joey Diaz,[25] The official Podcast and Bertcast with Bert Kreischer.[26] He also appeared and performed live on The Howard Stern Wrap Up Show on May 25, 2017.[27]

His second album, Ol' Wheeler, was released on June 2, 2017, and debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, with 7,800 copies sold in its first week.[28] It also debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Comedy Albums chart where it remained for three consecutive weeks, and peaked at number five on the Billboard Country chart. Prior to the album's release, crowd funding music site PledgeMusic removed the album's pre-sales and refunded fans due to obscenity complaints. Upset, Hoffman claimed censorship and angry fans responded by trolling a page promoting the band 311.[29] The album was originally going to include a duet with Grammy Award-winning artist Maren Morris on the song "Fuckin' Around", but it was pulled by Sony Music Nashville. Hoffman had previously performed alongside Morris and Jake Owen at a party following the 50th Annual Country Music Association Awards in 2016.[30] The duet was instead recorded with Nikki Lane, credited as "Kacey Walker".[31]

Hoffman toured throughout the United States from 2016 through 2018.[32] During the summer of 2018, he toured with Kid Rock and Brantley Gilbert in the Red Blooded Rock n Roll Redneck Extravaganza Tour.[33] He also performed his song "Sit On My Face" alongside Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson at Hinterland Music Festival in 2018.[34] Hoffman, outfitted as Wheeler, presented an award to Childers at the Americana Music Honors & Awards that same year.[35] Hoffman concluded his tour on December 8, 2018, with a final concert at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[36]

His third album, WW III, was released on November 30, 2018.[37] The album topped the Comedy chart and also sat at number one on the iTunes Country chart. He released first greatest hits compilation entitled Fuck You Bitch: All Time Greatest Hits on May 1, 2020. It features material from his three studio albums along with two new tracks, "Drunk as Fuck" and "Go Big or Go Home".

Worldwide, Hoffman was the third most streamed country artist in 2021.[38] On March 8, 2022, Hoffman, outfitted in the Wheeler Walker Jr. persona, was removed by security from the Country Music Hall of Fame property in Nashville after protesting the Florida Georgia Line exhibit. He held a picket sign reading "FGL does not belong here", citing a belief that the duo's music is pop and not country.[39]

On April 14, 2022, Hoffman commenced his "2022 Comeback Tour" when he headlined the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, his first live performance since 2018.[40][41] He promoted the concert by joking about his desire to get "cancelled".[42] The concert sold out, and broke records for alcohol and merchandise sales at the venue.[43]

On April 15, 2022, he released his fourth album, Sex, Drugs & Country Music.[44] It debuted at number one on the iTunes chart and number two on the Comedy albums chart.[45] On May 1, 2023, Hoffman announced the "Spread Eagle Tour", with thirty-three concerts across the United States.[46]

On July 19, 2023, Hoffman released the single "Money 'N' Bitches". That same day, he also announced his fifth studio album Ram, which was released on September 15, 2023. The album features a more rock-oriented sound than his previous albums.[47]

Discography

[edit]

All albums credited to Wheeler Walker Jr.

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[48] 		US Country
[49] 		US
Indie
[50] 		US
Comedy
[51]
Redneck Shit
  • Release date: February 12, 2016
  • Label: Pepper Hill
 127 9 6 1
Ol' Wheeler
  • Release date: June 2, 2017
  • Label: Pepper Hill
 88 10 5 1
WW III
  • Release date: November 30, 2018
  • Label: Pepper Hill/Thirty Tigers
 187 20 3 1
Sex Drugs & Country Music
  • Release date: April 15, 2022
  • Label: Pepper Hill/Thirty Tigers
 — — — 2
Ram[47]
  • Released: September 15, 2023
  • Label: Pepper Hill/Thirty Tigers
 — — — 2

Compilation albums

[edit]
Title Album details
Fuck You Bitch: All-Time Greatest Hits
  • Released: April 3, 2020
  • Label: Pepper Hill

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Director Writer Executive
Producer 		Notes
2007 2007 MTV Video Music Awards No Yes No
2008–2011 InfoMania No Yes Yes 47 episodes
2011 Sports Show with Norm Macdonald No Yes No 7 episodes
2012 The Jesse Miller Show No Yes No
2013 Comedy Central Roast of James Franco No Yes No
2013 The Ben Show Yes Yes Yes 8 episodes
2014 Archer No Yes No Episodes: "Southbound and Down", "Vision Quest"
2015–2016 The Late Late Show with James Corden No Yes No Wrote 38 episodes
2020 Hoops Yes Yes Yes Series creator

Acting roles

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Arrested Development FBI Guy #1 1 episode
2005 MovieMania Spider-Man 1 episode
2008, 2013 Drunk History Doctor (2008), Newscaster (2013) Episode: "Drunk History Vol. 4: Featuring Paul Schneider", "San Francisco"
2012 New Girl Sherman Episode: "Injured"
2020 Hoops Time Bomb (voice) 9 episodes

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Role Artist Album
2015 "Fuck you Bitch" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Redneck Shit
2015 "Drop 'Em Out" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Redneck Shit
2016 "Redneck Shit" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Redneck Shit
2017 "Pussy King" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ol' Wheeler
2017 "Finger up My Butt" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ol' Wheeler
2017 "Summers in Kentucky" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ol' Wheeler
2017 "Puss in Boots" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ol' Wheeler
2017 "Pictures on My Phone" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ol' Wheeler
2018 "I Like Smoking Pot (A Lot)" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. WW III
2018 "Rich Sumbitch" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. WW III
2018 "All The Pussy You Will Slay" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. WW III
2020 "Go Big or Go Home" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Fuck You Bitch: All Time Greatest Hits
2022 "Fucked by a Country Boy" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Sex, Drugs & Country Music
2022 "She's a Country Music Fan" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Sex, Drugs & Country Music
2022 "God Told Me to Fuck You" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Sex, Drugs & Country Music
2023 "Money 'N' Bitches" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ram
2023 "Dumptruck" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ram
2023 "Fingerblast" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ram
2023 "Fuck This Job" Wheeler Walker, Jr. Wheeler Walker, Jr. Ram

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ben Hoffman on Twitter: "Thanks for all the birthday wishes. That I'm hopefully gonna get. After this tweet." Twitter.com
  2. ^ "About Wheeler Walker, Jr". YouTube.
  3. ^ "Episode 680 - Ben Hoffman". WTF with Marc Maron Podcast. February 11, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Music". wheelerwalkerjr.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  5. ^ Moore, Bobby (April 14, 2022). "Wheeler Walker Jr. to Fan Flames of Authenticity Debate From the Ryman Stage". wideopencountry.com. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  6. ^ Funkhouser, Brett (November 30, 2018). "Wheeler Walker Jr. Displays Incredible Musicianship Behind Lyrical Raunchiness". americanahighways.org. Americana Highways. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  7. ^ Perlut, Aaron (April 3, 2022). "Wheeler Walker, Jr. Still Has An Axe To Grind With The Music Industry". brobible.com. BroBible. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "Comedy Central® Sets Mid-Season Schedule Featuring New Series And Specials And The Return Of Network Favorites" (Press release). Comedy Central. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Copley, Rich (March 22, 2013). "Lexington native Ben Hoffman brings his Comedy Central show home". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  10. ^ Scheinfeld, Jillian (March 4, 2013). "Talking to Ben Hoffman of the New Comedy Central Series, 'The Ben Show". jewcy.com. Jewcy. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  11. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 28, 2012). "Comedy Central Orders Series With Anthony Jeselnik, Amy Schumer And Ben Hoffman". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (October 3, 2018). "Netflix Orders 'Hoops' Adult Animated Series Starring Jake Johnson From Ben Hoffman, Phil Lord, Chris Miller & 20th TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  13. ^ Porter, Rick (December 8, 2020). "'Hoops' Canceled After Single Season on Netflix". hollywoodreporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  14. ^ Wheeler Walker Jr. Crosses Country's Fine Line Between Satire and Stupidity Houston Press
  15. ^ Hudak, Joseph (February 23, 2016). "See Wheeler Walker Jr. Taunt Horses, Bare Chest in 'Redneck Sh-t' Video". rollingstone.com.
  16. ^ 'Redneck Shit' Debuts at #9 on Billboard's Top Country Album Chart Archived November 8, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Wheeler Walker Jr.
  17. ^ Bjorke, Matt (February 22, 2016). "The Top 10 Country Albums Chart: February 22, 2016". Roughstock.
  18. ^ "Wheeler Walker Jr. - 35 Most Anticipated Country Albums of 2016". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  19. ^ Hudak, Joseph (February 10, 2016). "Wheeler Walker Jr.: Inside Country's Filthiest New Album". rollingstone.com. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  20. ^ Hudak, Joseph (June 5, 2017). "How Wheeler Walker Jr. Matured Beyond Dick Jokes on 'Ol' Wheeler'". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  21. ^ Friederich, Brandon (May 26, 2016). "WHEELER WALKER JR. IS COUNTRY MUSIC'S FILTHY NEW SAVIOR". Maxim (magazine). Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  22. ^ Deming, Mark. "Wheeler Walker, Jr. Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  23. ^ "Wheeler Walker, Jr". spotify.com. Spotify. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  24. ^ "490-Wheeler Walker Jr. Too Short & Kevin Blatt-Your Mom's House with Christina P and Tom Segura". soundcloud.com. SoundCloud. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  25. ^ "#531 - Wheeler Walker Jr". mixcloud.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  26. ^ "# 317 - Wheeler Walker Jr. & ME". spotify.com. Spotify. November 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  27. ^ "Wheeler Walker Jr. Performs Live on the Wrap Up Show". howardstern.com. Howard Stern Show. May 25, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  28. ^ Bjorke, Matt (June 13, 2017). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: June 12, 2017". Roughstock.
  29. ^ Willman, Chris (March 3, 2017). "Wheeler Walker Jr. Cries Censorship After PledgeMusic Pulls His Album Campaign". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  30. ^ Parton, Chris; Jon Freeman; Bob Doerschuk; Deborah Evans Price; Beville Dunkerley; Joseph Hudak (June 13, 2016). "25 Best Things We Saw at CMA Music Fest 2016". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  31. ^ "Hudak, Joseph 2017
  32. ^ "Wheeler Walker, Jr.'s Concert History". concertarchives.org. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  33. ^ Hollabaugh, Lorie (April 6, 2018). "Kid Rock Launching Tour With Brantley Gilbert, Wheeler Walker Jr". musicrow.com. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  34. ^ Gage, Jeff (August 6, 2018). "See Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson Jam With Country Parodist Wheeler Walker Jr". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  35. ^ Warren, Bruce (September 13, 2018). "Jason Isbell Wins Big At The Americana Music Awards". wamu.org. American University Radio. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  36. ^ "Wheeler Walker, Jr". therave.com. The Rave. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  37. ^ "Wheeler announces new album "WWIII"". Wheeler Walker Jr.
  38. ^ Misiaszek, Emma (May 3, 2023). "Comedian Mike Epps and country singer Wheeler Walker Jr. added to del Lago's summer lineup". cnycentral.com. WSTM-TV. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  39. ^ Goldstein, Tiffany (March 10, 2022). "Wheeler Walker Jr. Removed From Country Music Hall of Fame For Protesting Florida Georgia Line Exhibit". CMT. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  40. ^ Major, Michael (February 25, 2022). "Wheeler Walker Jr. Announces New Album & Tour Dates". broadwayworld.com. BroadwayWorld. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  41. ^ "The 2022 Comeback Tour". Ryman. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  42. ^ Langeler, Wes (December 6, 2021). "Wheeler Walker Jr. Announces Comeback Show At The Ryman Auditorium: "I'm Gonna Get Canceled So F*cking Fast"". Whiskeyriff. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  43. ^ Goldstein, Tiffany (April 25, 2022). "Wheeler Walker Jr. Opens Up About His Return To The Spotlight With Record, "Sex, Drugs, & Country Music"". CMT. CMT News. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  44. ^ "Wheeler Walker, Jr". Ryman Auditorium. April 14, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  45. ^ Cox, Brady (April 21, 2022). "Wheeler Walker Jr. Breaks Alcohol And Merchandise Sales Record At Sold Out Ryman Show". whiskeyriff.com.
  46. ^ Cox, Brady (May 1, 2023). "Wheeler Walker Jr. Announces 2023 The Spread Eagle Tour: "If Your City Ain't On Here It's Because Your City Sucks"". whiskeyriff.com. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  47. ^ a b Price, Jason (July 19, 2023). "WHEELER WALKER JR. Announce 'Ram' Album, Reveals Dates For 'The Spread Eagle Tour'". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  48. ^ "Wheeler Walker Jr. Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. March 5, 2016.
  49. ^ "Wheeler Walker Jr. Chart History: Top Country Albums". Billboard. March 5, 2016.
  50. ^ "Wheeler Walker Jr. Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard.
  51. ^ "Wheeler Walker Jr. Chart History: Comedy Albums". Billboard.
  52. ^ Bjorke, Matt (June 13, 2017). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: June 12, 2017". Roughstock.
  53. ^ Bjorke, Matt (June 19, 2017). "Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: June 19, 2017". Roughstock.
  54. ^ Bjorke, Matt (January 14, 2019). "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: January 14, 2019". Roughstock. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
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