SPA hosts Big Time Rush member Logan Henderson for Q&A and acoustic performance

Penn State SPA and a student audience welcomed Logan Henderson to the HUB-Robeson Center on Friday, January 19 for a discussion and weaved-in musical performance.

Henderson is known for his involvement in Big Time Rush as both his acting and musical start. In between this beginning for his career and the band’s reunion, Henderson has struck out on his own as a solo music artist.

The audience, littered with Big Time Rush fans, gathered insight from Henderson’s beginnings with the band and how he grew into his own as an artist during the mediated conversation.

To some of the audience member’s surprise, Henderson mentioned not wanting to be a part of the show at first. After his agent explained the premise, Henderson replied with disapproval, not wanting to participate in a “boy band project.”

However, soon after auditioning, Henderson learned how to live on his own as a 17-year-old making the journey from Texas to Los Angeles as filming started soon. This first step didn’t come without obstacles.

“It’s just the extra added pressure of having to go out and answer questions and be on carpets and perform in front of all these people,” Henderson said in a press conference beforehand.

While the four boys in Big Time Rush were able to grow up together during the filming of the show, after it ended, the band needed to find themselves as individuals for the following few years.

After years of solo endeavors and sparse communication, the band reunited in 2021 and got back to work.

They’re still some of the same dynamics, for better or for worse, but within the last two years I think we’ve done a good job of operating like more of a team, Henderson said in a press conference.

Since they’ve been back, Henderson explained Big Time Rush is trying to get back to the roots of the music they listened to growing up.

Henderson performed new and old fan favorites “Music Sounds Better With U,” “Weekends,” “Pull Me Deep,” “Sleepwalker” and “Boyfriend,” alongside guitarist Cody Perrin. The musical breaks in between questions made for an intimate concert in Heritage Hall.

Henderson spoke highly about music artist Joji, actor Barry Keoghan and director Yorgos Lanthimos; people who inspire him artistically.

Many of the audience members talked about how starstruck the Big Time Rush member’s visit to Penn State when the mic was turned over to them for questions, but Henderson has some celebrity anecdotes to share, too.

He recalled Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl’s “humble and warm” attitude toward him at Elton John’s Oscar party. Henderson said it was a pleasant surprise that someone he looked up to in the industry acted with such openness.

While the aforementioned people influence him, inspiration strikes Henderson in all different facets of life, even movies and television shows.

“All the good movies and songs feel like they speak to you,” Henderson said.

Throughout the Q&A, he emphasized the importance of hard work and patience. Henderson talked about how natural talent can only get someone so far in their career, coasting won’t always work.

Fans can look forward to more solo music, acting, traveling and touring with the band from Henderson.

Cassie Baylis is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email ceb6085@psu.edu.