Ben Bell & The Stardust Boys
- Caitlen Odell
- Sep 8, 2025
- 4 min read
Baton Rouge has no shortage of unique voices, but few carry the blend of vintage charm and lived-in authenticity quite like Ben Bell. With roots stretching from Austin’s eclectic music scene to Louisiana’s songwriter circles, Ben describes his unique sound as 'Western Rockabilly'. In this interview, Ben shares the philosophy that drives his music, the stories that shaped his style, and the ways he sees performance as both self-expression and an act of service.
Caitlen: Please tell us your story as a musician. What first pulled you into the world of music, and what forces along the way carved the shape of your sound?
Ben: I grew up in a home filled with music. My folks listened to John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, and classical music a lot. I played jazz trumpet in fine arts schools. Also sang and played handbells in church choir. Picked up my first guitar at 18. Back in the early 90's, I was searching for a fresh sound and found it in a Kingston Trio album. Their spiffiness and vintage feel captured me. I also had a collection of classic Marty Robbins songs. I'd sit alone in my apartment for hours, mesmerized, listening to them. Austin's roots music scene was seminal in my musical development. It's not just me, either. My twin brother, Burton C. Bell, gained world recognition as the singer of Fear Factory.
Caitlen: You left Austin for Baton Rouge back in 2007. What called you here, and in what ways has this city’s rhythm reshaped your music compared to Austin’s?
Ben: I moved to Baton Rouge in 2007 for graduate school at LSU. Brought my Austin sound here and haven't changed. I've gotten much better technically but I keep the vibe. I'm thankful for the community of country and folk singer/songwriters who can also jam and lead bands, like Clay Parker, Eric Schmitt, Spoonfed Jr., and Ryan Harris. Remember The Fugitive Poets? They had an Austin vibe, for sure, and were my favorite BR band: a bluegrass and swing party band (like us). In fact, their fiddle player, Doc Chaney, is now a Stardust Boy. Honored to work with him.
Caitlen: Your sound is stitched from many fabrics: retro, rockabilly, country, folk, swing, western, vintage. What is it about this patchwork of styles that feels like home to you?
Ben: I prefer to call it what my wife does: Western Rockabilly: a mix of western swing and acoustic rockabilly. Honestly, Carter-style flatpicking comes easy for me. My guitar work has evolved into Luther Perkins (Johnny Cash's guitarist), Duane Eddy, and the hillbilly side of rockabilly. When I was a kid, all the boys were into KISS but I preferred Kenny Rogers and Barry Manilow. I like beautiful melodies. When Nirvana was all the rage, I was already into classic country, western swing, rockabilly, and folk: all the things that are big in Austin. I've absorbed a lot and kept what I want. I'm just playing what comes naturally to me. Maybe I was born too late.
Caitlen: Your songs often dance with love, yet some carry shadows and darker hues. What truths are you reaching for in your songwriting, and how has that search evolved over the years?
Ben: Despite my roots bonafides, I think Robert Smith, of The Cure, is an amazing singer/songwriter. I'm primarily a stylist; I've crafted an original style of songs and genres. For me, lyrics are secondary to the melody; I'm also a melodic. But, I think a broken heart, rambling, and searching for true love are worth writing songs about. But there's so much more to originality than new words. When songwriting, I start with the music. I jam in a genre and search for a hook. Lyrically, I connect introspection with classic motifs found in roots music, but with my own psyche coloring it all. Sometimes the results aren't fit to play publicly. The ones audiences hear pass muster.
Caitlen: You’ve described music as both self-expression and an act of service. How do you see those two purposes working together when you step on stage?
Ben: I'm on stage. Not just my music. Audiences love to see your real deal up there. That in itself is the service of entertaining and them feeling connected. A long time ago, I played at a restaurant in Fredericksburg, Texas, and nobody paid me no mind. Not one glance towards me or even a smattering of applause. I thought I was failing miserably, but then the last table got up and, on their way out, tipped me $20. I learned right there that applause doesn't matter. I'm confident they're enjoying me while having their own quality time. As in all service, it's not about me. I'm not wallpaper. I'm the band. Musicians have always been servants. That's why parents don't want you to become one. We serve the patron, the audience, not the other way around. Want to get good? Play for strangers. How do you know you're good? When strangers turn into smiling faces, tip, and come back. It's stellar to do that as an original!
Ben’s reminder that musicians are servants struck a note with me. It is a truth that is easy to forget in our time, yet powerful when lived out. When you see someone choosing to serve others, it reminds you of the beauty of humility, and how much we all need one another. If you get the chance to hear Ben Bell, take it. Every performance by Ben Bell & The Stardust Boys is more than music, it is an act of service that leaves audiences a little richer than when they arrived.
You can catch Ben Bell & The Stardust Boys most Thursdays 7pm-9pm at the Brakes Bar in Baton Rouge, LA. Plus, follow Ben on Instagram at instagram.com/benbellmusic to stay updated on his latest shows and music.
Written by Caitlen Odell
Founder & Owner, Red Stick Music
Caitlen curates the Red Stick Music live music calendar with a focus on excellence, integrity, and community building. She’s passionate about supporting local artists and strengthening Baton Rouge through music.
