Saturday 9: Mystical Magical

Saturday 9: Mystical Magical (2025)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is about a new love affair, and Benson Boone bounces between frustration and optimism when he thinks about it. Does anything inspire your mixed emotions these days?

A. The local government brings out mixed emotions at present. We have a data center coming in directly behind us, in what was initially an industrial park. I have many mixed emotions about that. We recently learned that the electrical lines that cross our farm will have to be upgraded in preparation for the power the data center will need. That means the power company will be disturbing the cattle, tearing up pastureland, etc. The data center is not the "latest and greatest" in technology; it is a water hog, and that's a concern.

2) The lyrics mention "moonbeam ice cream," which is something Benson just made up. Last summer, when this week's song became popular, ice cream shops were inspired to create flavors with that name. What's your favorite ice cream flavor, and will you take that in a cup or cone?

A. My favorite ice cream is not a flavor, it's a specialty, and it's a hot fudge sundae (no nuts). I haven't had one since I was about 12 years old because that's when we discovered I'm allergic to milk. Eating one is on my bucket list. Maybe it'll be the last thing I do.

 

3) He sings that "once you know" about a love like this, "you know." Tell us about something you had to experience to fully understand.

A. Surgeries are things one must experience in order to fully understand. The doctor can stand there all day long and tell you you'll be up and around in three days and back to work in five, but until you've actually had the operation, all that is is a lot of talk. Nobody reacts the same to having their body cut open. And it hurts a lot more than they let on, too.

 

4) He composed this song at the piano. Do you play piano?

A. I can piddle at the piano, same as I can most other instruments. I can make chords and play a bit, but I would not say that I actually "play" the piano, at least, not in the same way I play the guitar.

5) He first sang in public at a high school talent show, which he only entered on a dare. Can you recall any dares from your junior high or high school days? 

A. I was dared to skip band class several times and did, often enough that the band director finally reported me to the principal and I had "in school suspension" which basically meant I spent an hour in a play-room with other kids who also were misbehaving. I remember doing my homework there. My teachers were appalled because I was a straight-A student and straight-A students didn't get "in school suspension." 

6) Benson was a good high school athlete and competed in diving at the state level. Can you execute a dive off the diving board?

A. I could manage a belly flop, I suppose, but certainly nothing graceful. I used to be able to, when I was young and lithe, but those days are long gone.

7) When he was 18, Boone auditioned for American Idol. What were you up to when you were 18?

A. When I was 18, I was working a job in the city, dating a few guys here and there, and taking college courses at the community college.

  

8) Benson has a dog named Max. He's not alone in this. "Max" is one of the most popular pet names in the US today. Have you ever known anyone (furry or otherwise) named Max?

A. I do not recall ever knowing a Max. The only Max I am familiar with is Mad Max from the movies. Oh, wait, I did know a Max. My old doctor's name was Max. Max Bertholf. He was such a nice man and a very good doctor. He quit practicing about 2004 or so. I did an article on his retirement for the newspaper. I never called him Max, though. I called him Dr. B.

 

9) Random question: If we knocked on your door on one of your lazy, stay-at-home days, what would we likely find you wearing?

A. You would find me wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. I would also have on a watch, earrings, and my glasses.

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