It’s been a minute since I’ve written here.
Like a lot of independent artists, I got pulled into the tornado of press releases, social posts, and building my new Footlight Favorites online store, and the blog quietly slid to the back burner. This feels like the right time to bring it back.
I’ve been quietly working on something small, strange, and very “me,” (if I do say so myself) and I’d honestly love your help with it.
I’m calling it the Broken Pennies Project.
We've all seen the odd penny: bent, scratched, warped by train tracks, worn smooth from a lifetime in pockets and tip jars. They’re the coins you don’t quite want to spend, but also don’t know what to do with. Instead of leaving them in jars and junk drawers, I want to gather them up and give them a second life in music and art.
This is a mail‑in art and music experiment built out of the most ordinary little objects we have: tired old pennies.
How to Send Your Penny
If you’ve got a broken, bent, or beautifully worn penny (one that still looks like a penny; no 'stamped' souvenir 'pressed' pennies please) here’s how to join in:
1. Wrap it: Wrap and tape your penny snugly into a piece of paper (and/or a tiny bit of bubble-wrap) so it doesn’t bounce around or poke through the envelope.
2. Mail it: Put it in a standard envelope—no extra postage needed for 1–2 coins.
3. Address it to:
Ben Killen “Broken Pennies”
99 Wall Street
Suite 1893
New York, NY 10005
That’s it. One small, weird coin on a tiny journey.
Optional Bonus: Help out even more!
If you happen to have any unused postage stamps laying around, tossing a few into the envelope helps me a ton with future mailings and helps keep the campaign rolling.
This is absolutely not required. Your penny alone is absolutely gift enough!
Why Pennies?
Every penny tells a story.
Some have lived at the bottom of guitar cases and tip jars, others have crossed state lines in glove compartments. Some have probably been run over, stepped on, or nearly lost forever in sidewalk cracks.
I love the idea of taking these “outcast” coins and turning them into something new:
- Part visual art,
- Part music,
- Part community time capsule.
As the Broken Pennies Project comes together, I’ll share updates here and in my email newsletter Ben's Blues & Breakfast Club—perhaps photos of what arrives, notes about where they came from, or maybe even songs inspired by the pieces you send.
Share Your Penny’s Story
If you want to snap a photo of your penny before you mail it, I’d love to see it:
- Post your pic and a short note about why you chose that penny.
- Tag me, and your photo with #BrokenPenniesProject so I can find it.
Maybe it lived in your gig bag or purse for years. Maybe it’s the one you picked up one day you really needed a sign. Maybe it’s just the ugliest coin in your change jar and you’re ready to give it a better gig.
A Quiet Thank‑You (and a Promise)
If you’ve been checking this blog and found nothing new for a long while: I see you, and I’m sorry for the silence. I’ve been busy trying to keep all the plates spinning—music, radio, shows, the new store—and the blog fell off the list.
This post is me quietly promising to bring it back into the mix, especially for projects like this that don’t quite fit in a tweet or an Instagram caption.
If you feel like taking part, drop a penny in the mail and send a tiny piece of your story along with it.
Thanks for reading, thanks for listening, and thanks for being the kind of person who would actually consider mailing a broken penny to a Blues‑playing stranger.
_ Ben