Pasek & Paul Play Ball With Savannah Bananas For Single ‘Show Starts Now’

Pasek & Paul and Atlantic Records are playing ball for the launch of the Savannah Bananas baseball team’s first-ever original single, “Show Starts Now.”

Announced today, July 15, the historic partnership is through Ampersand, the multimedia production company founded by the EGOT-winning songwriting and production duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, La La Land).

Savannah Bananas’ entertainment player, pitcher, and Broadway star Derek Klena (Jagged Little Pill, The Bridges of Madison County, Anastasia) performs the fresh cut, which arrives at midnight on all DSPs and streaming platforms.

Co-written by Pasek & Paul alongside Cal Shapiro (Alex Warren, Cameron Whitcomb), Ashley Gorley (Carrie Underwood, HARDY), and Ben Johnson (BigXthaPlug feat. Bailey Zimmerman, Lee Brice, Weezer), “Show Starts Now” was teased earlier this summer during a surprise live debut at the Bananas’ own Historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah, GA.

“We have been Savannah Bananas and Derek Klena fans for years,” Pasek & Paul enthuse in a statement. “Getting to write Banana Ball’s very first original anthem alongside a group of some of our favorite songwriters was a no-brainer. We could not be more impressed by what Jesse has built over the last decade and getting to collaborate in this way was beyond thrilling.”

The Savannah Bananas will perform the anthem live when they open the 2026 ESPY Awards, beaming out live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City at 8:00pm ET on ABC, in the ESPN App and in the ESPYS streaming hub — just before the track drops on streaming services everywhere.

“Teaming up with Pasek & Paul on the first original anthem of Banana Ball is an absolute honor,” says Jesse Cole, the founder and owner of Savannah Bananas. “I have been a big fan of them and their music since I first heard The Greatest Showman soundtrack. Now, to perform ‘Show Starts Now’ on the ESPYS stage in front of millions is a full circle moment and milestone for our organization and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Savannah Bananas are part of the six-team Banana Ball Championship League (BBCL), a fast-paced format of America’s pastime with some key rule tweaks to heat-up the action: bunting is out, games are limited to two hours, and if a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out.

“I’ve known Pasek & Paul for over a decade and have been lucky to collaborate with them numerous times,” enthuses Klena, “and every experience is even more impressive than the last. Their attention to detail, ability to channel the subject matter and its audience, and develop the catchiest melodies is unmatched. They are the absolute dream team and I’m so grateful to get to work with them on this.” 

Click here to presave “Show Starts Now.”