Born and raised on the banks of the Singing River in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, his cousin Buddy played upright for Hank at the Opry and waited in vain for him at what would have been his final concert. Buddy played bass ’til his fingers bled recording George Jones’ first #1 single…and in his long career…he wrote and produced hundreds of hits, worked closely with the likes of Dolly, Cher and Paul McCartney—and ultimately became a self-made Nashville kingpin. Ben’s uncle “Dub” Killen played bass with Vassar Clements in the Dixie Gentlemen and his Mother shares a birthday with both Ella Fitzgerald & Albert King, but it’s his singularly soulful voice that truly speaks volumes. Ben Killen is unequivocally original.
He is currently a member of two bands:
• Proud Pair of Thieves: Acoustic Americana/Alternative Folk Trio
• The Grand Prospect: Rollicking Folk Rock/Gotham Americana Band
With Philanthropy & Entrepreneurship being central to his personal ethos, Ben also recently launched Illuminated Eyewear, his own brand of socially-conscious sunglasses.
Born on the banks of the Singing River, in the same Renaissance City the Father of the Blues, W.C. Handy called home. “The River that Sings” is the literal meaning of the name given to the mighty Tennessee by the Euchee Indians native to the Tennessee Valley: Nunnuhsae
Also the birthplace of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, who discovered Elvis, Howlin’ Wolf, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash it’s a stone’s-throw from the nexus of so many of the world’s greatest recordings, the stomping-grounds of the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound and the infamous ‘Swampers’…
Who laid-down their inimitable grooves in two local studios frequented by the likes of The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Bob Dylan, Duane Allman, Wilson Pickett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cher, Rod Stewart, Canned Heat, Bob Seger, Paul Simon and so many more.
His cousin Buddy was a self-made Nashville kingpin who played the upright with Hank Sr. at the Opry, and tracked bass ’til his fingers bled on George Jones’ first No. 1: “White Lightning.” He worked with countless mega-stars across a multitude of genres…
Including Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Roger Miller, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Dottie West, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins and Kenny Chesney, as well as producing basically every Joe Tex single.
The lore of his life began at birth, just days after the tragic loss of John Lennon, whereupon a very strange occurrence took place in the forest Rendlesham, certainly nearer to Liverpool than Florence. But, could this other-worldly encounter offer any insight to the true original that is Ben Killen?
My vision is my livelihood. I see the world with a fresh perspective. Below are a select few examples of my work.
Never content to stand still for anything more than an instant, I am ever embarking upon something new and exciting.
Below are a few of the projects to which I’ve been devoting the bulk of my time and energy.
Illuminated Eyewear is a socially-conscious Eyewear brand specializing in Classically Styled Sunglasses with a time-honored brand aesthetic. Most importantly, for every pair of sunglasses we sell, a contribution is made to help restore the vision of someone in an impoverished part of the world.
Blurring the lines between Rock & Folk, the Grand Prospect crystallized around the notion of ‘creating a band like The Band” an undertaking that certainly lives up to its moniker. Call it Americana, call it folk-rock, call it alt-country if you like… we just call it a damn good time.
Born and raised on the banks of the Singing River in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, his cousin Buddy played upright for Hank, at the Opry and waited in vain for him at what would have been his final concert. Buddy played bass ’til his fingers bled recording one of George Jones’ greatest singles…and in his long career…he wrote and produced hundreds of hits, worked closely with the likes of Joe Tex and Paul McCartney—and ultimately became a self-made Nashville kingpin.
What would you give to be happier? Do you have a lot of belongings, a large group of friends and a glowing career, but still don’t seem to be able to find the inner peace and happiness that you long for? All of us at some point have wished that we were happier…
“Many a false step is made standing still.”
—Patti LaBelle
“You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.”
—C. S. Lewis
“Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart.”
—Zig Ziglar
“Love, friendship, laughter… Some of the best things in life really are free.”
—Bob Marley
