Ben Killen

Long-form

Biography

For as long as he can remember, music has been a symphony of sounds in Ben's life, permeating every moment. His journey into the world of music began at a tender age with the Banjo, an instrument that still holds a special place in his heart. Since then, he has expanded his repertoire to include Guitar and, more recently, Squareneck Resophonic Guitar, also known as the 'Dobro'—a fascinating instrument that combines the acoustic charm of a metal-cone resonator guitar, with its iconic unmistakeable tone, it's the 'unplugged' predecessor to the electric lap steel and pedal steel guitar.

While Ben's roots are deeply anchored in country, soul and bluegrass, it's the Blues that have captured his soul in recent years. Despite his multi-talented musical doppelgänger being non-other than Jason Mraz, Ben’s influences are exceedingly eclectic and deeply rooted in legends like Bill Withers, Candi Staton, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Lead Belly, Ann Peebles, Johnny Cash, Son House, Aretha Franklin, Hank Williams, Etta James, and Howlin’ Wolf. What sets his music apart is his insatiable thirst for authenticity, hope, and resilience, which propels him to explore the depths of the Blues with an enthusiasm few others share.

Music runs in his blood. His almost-famous cousin, Buddy Killen, was practically ‘Mr. Nashville’ and worked closely with legends like Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney, Hank Williams, Clint Black, and Joe Tex, among so many others. Though he passed away when Ben was yet very young, his legacy lives on with a Nashville street named in his honor. While he never had the chance to collaborate with him musically, Buddy’s influence is an inspiring part of Ben’s musical journey.

Ben is overjoyed to be releasing his debut single as a solo artist: ‘Singing River Blues’ that starts by imparting “the nature of the Blues” singing the praises of fellow-Florentine and “Father of the Blues” W.C.Handy.  Album artwork for the single is a fine art oil painting he commissioned from renowned Brooklyn-based fine artist Rusty Zimmerman, adding a unique and distinguished visual element to this new musical release.  But Ben has already made his mark as a member of several New York bands. His NYC Americana band, The Grand Prospect, released two albums: their eponymous 2012 debut LP and the 2018 5-song EP "Easy Way Out." His NYC Americana trio, Proud Pair of Thieves, self-recorded the "Mighty Snare" EP, currently available exclusively on SoundCloud.

Recognition has come in various forms. He was fortunate enough to appear on American Idol Season 2, on ‘the Hollywood episode’ and won a local "American Shoals Idol" competition supported by local radio stations and media. His television appearances include The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and he is fortunate to have been featured in prestigious publications such as the New York Times and Time Out New York Magazine.

Performing live is where he truly connects with his audience. One of his most memorable performances was at Carnegie Hall, where he performed to an audience of several thousand. Another unforgettable moment was when he performed "Grandma's Hands" by Bill Withers at a songwriter's showcase off West 4th St. in the Village. A fellow performer, Lola was so moved by his song, immediately after, she kissed him; right on the lips, in front of her boyfriend—a surprise reaction nobody saw coming!  Other notable shows include performances at Higher Ground and the Radio Bean in Burlington, VT, in addition to The Nick in Birmingham and Southpaw, in Brooklyn.

From Bill Withers he learned that less-is-more a lesson exemplified in the simplicity of the chorus in "Use Me," where he repeats "I know" dozens of times.  Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley introduced him to the art of true authenticity, to the only form of braggadocio he's ever been able to appreciate, by way of the blues, that perhaps now he’ll never tire of.  His earliest musical experiences were shaped by his Mother's traveling sacred Sunday singing group, where he had his first "on-stage" appearances from the womb.

The defining moment when he knew he wanted to pursue music seriously was at a Roy Clarke concert, where his masterful banjo playing left him in awe. Since then, he has had the honor of collaborating with many talented musicians, including the legendary "Funky Drummer" Jabo Starks, with whom he had the honor of performing "Just The Two Of Us" at The Red Bar.

Creating music is an ever-changing journey for him, often inspired by reimagining musical traditions from the past, like Bluegrass, Skiffle, the Blues, and Trad. One particularly interesting performance anecdote involves scrawling out a set list on the back of a paper plate when he couldn't find any paper—a moment that delighted the onlooking audience in Burlington.

Looking ahead, his goal is for his music to provide bliss and enjoyment to his listeners. He believes in the power of music to unite and uplift society in ways no other medium can. He is also thrilled about launching his newest venture, a female-focused Country internet radio station, CowgirlRadio.com, which amplifies the voices of women in Country, Americana and Classic Soul music.

As he prepares to release his debut single, he is adopting a dynamic promotional strategy to engage both fans and fellow musicians. He'll be hosting multiple contests, with exciting prizes, to highlight the modern musician's struggle to profit in an industry where streaming services pay a mere $0.003 per stream (this only after reaching and maintaining >1,000 monthly streams.) To underscore this significant issue, he is committed to donating 100% of the proceeds from sales or streams of his music for the entire calendar year, following this single's release to charity.  This initiative is also inspired by and in support of Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Jamaal Bowman’s groundbreaking new bill, H.R.7763 “Living Wage for Musicians Act of 2024,” currently before the US House of Representatives.  This legislation aims to ensure fair compensation for musicians, and he is proud to use his platform to advocate for this crucial cause.

In essence, his musical journey is a tapestry woven with diverse influences, unique experiences, and an unwavering passion for authenticity. His story is about the relentless pursuit of musical excellence and the joy of sharing that journey with others. He invites you to join him on this adventure, where together, you can create music that resonates and makes a difference!