This Month we have a real treat for you. BenDover Sporg, our winner of the June 2026 Sl Enquirer Singer-Songwriter Open Mic Competition is a different sort of musician. While many live musicians focus on perfecting the notes and the technical aspects of their music, BenDover is more interested in “the soul” of a song - How to connect on an emotional level with his music. But I’ll let him tell you in his own words.
Josh (Thomas1 Bellic) (JB): Congratulations on your win, BenDover. It
was well deserved. Thank you for agreeing to chat with me. To begin with, how
long have you been performing your music, and at what sorts of venues?
BenDover Sporg (BS):
Thank you so much. I've been lucky and been given plenty of
opportunities to perform shows in SL, but I’ve not really been performing too
much as I do enjoy just doing it for fun and not being on a strict schedule.
I've mostly just been in intimate live music venues, open mics, and places
where people really come to listen rather than just have background music. I’ve
always been drawn to rooms where the connection matters, where one voice can
still hold people’s attention.
JB: Who were your
music idols, and those who most influenced your musical style?
BS: My biggest
influences have always come from country, singer-songwriters and pop artists
who know how to tell a story and make you feel something. I’m drawn to singers
who bring honesty and emotion into a song, whether it is a raw country ballad
or a stripped-down acoustic version of a pop song. For me, it has never been
about showing off technically as much as making the listener believe every
word.
JB: What was the
inspiration for the songs you sang at the contest, and why did you choose those
particular songs?
BS: I chose songs
that felt honest to who I am as a performer. I wanted to bring something raw
and powerful, but still personal, the kind of music where you can hear the
emotion before you even think about the notes. Those songs gave me a chance to
connect with the audience and tell a story rather than just perform.
JB: How would you
describe the brand that you now represent? To really stand out in the SL Music
scene, you have to have something special about your performances. How do you
define your music style?
BS: I would
describe my music style as raw, emotional acoustic country-pop. I like
performances that feel real, a little vulnerable, and powerful without needing
too much polish around them. My “brand,” if I had to call it that, is honesty:
songs sung from the heart, with the goal of making people feel something.
JB: Are there any
truly landmark performances you can recall? Best Memories performing both in RL
and in SL?
BS: Winning the SL Enquirer Open Mic Songwriters Contest is definitely a good Second Life memory now. I also remember stepping into the karaoke scene for the first time over at Elixir, for me that was a tough step to make, putting myself out there. There is something very special about singing in SL, because even though we are behind screens, the emotions and reactions from people are very real. Some of my best memories are the quiet moments after a song, when someone messages me and says it reminded them of something in their own life.
JB: Do you play with other musicians as well, or are you strictly a soloist?
BS: I mostly
perform as a soloist, because I love the simplicity of one voice and one
acoustic sound carrying the whole performance. I've only collaborated once in
SL and that was great. And with that said, I totally respect musicians
who collaborate, and I’m always open to the right musical connection. For now,
solo acoustic performance feels like the most natural way for me to express
myself.
JB: Many
performers have some kind of “good luck ritual” they do before a performance.
Do you have any such habits or rituals?
BS: I don’t
really have a lucky pair of socks or anything like that, but I do try to take a
quiet moment before I sing. I like to clear my head and remind myself why I’m
doing it: to connect, not to be perfect. Once I focus on the emotion of the
song, the nerves usually turn into energy.
JB: You’ve been
on the grid for over 17 years now. What advice could you give to someone who
wants to be a singer/songwriter?
BS: My advice
would be to be yourself before you try to impress anyone. People can feel
honesty, and they remember a performance that touches them more than one that
is technically perfect but empty. Keep showing up, keep trying new stuff, keep
singing, and don’t be afraid to let your heart show a little.
JB: I know you
are not a big social media guy, but where can people learn more about you and
perhaps come to hear you perform?
BS: I’m not very
big on social media, that’s true. The best way to catch me is inworld in Second
Life, either through live music venues, karaoke/open mic events, or by checking
my profile for upcoming performances, I also do have an old group from when I
was DJ, so for anyone that's real interested - talk to me and I'll shoot you an
invite. I enjoy meeting people through the music itself, and SL has always been
a place where that feels natural to me.
JB: Is there
anything else you would like to share with our SL Enquirer Readers?
BS: I just want
to say thank you to everyone who listened, supported, or simply took the time
to be present. Music and singing is real emotional for me, and it means a lot
when people connect with that. Second Life has given many of us a place to
share parts of ourselves we might not always show elsewhere, and I’m grateful
to be part of that music and open mic community.
So folks, there you have it, folks.
Our judges have chosen well. But you should really judge for
yourself. Look for him at local Open Mic
nights in SL, or contact him directly to see where he is performing next.
And when you do, tell ‘em “Josh sent me.” You won’t regret
it.
Be there! Aloha!
JB
Posts
