Bennett Kelly is an award-winning music journalist from New Jersey. He reports on the New Brunswick music scene for New Brunswick Today and profiles indie rockers for the Look At My Records music blog.  He formerly covered the New York Giants and professional tennis for a pair of sports publications and worked in radio production at WFUV 90.7 FM and WCBS Newsradio 880.

Email: bkelly@nb.today
Instagram:  @bennettbenkelly
Linktree:  bennettkelly91

Reader feedback on Bennett's articles:

“I loved reading about my old stomping grounds”

“Great article on what has transpired with the Court Tavern recently and its history.”

“Hello Bennett! I just read your [Court Tavern] article in NB Today about the music scene here in NB. Just wanted to say it was a great read, and very informative.”

“Pleas continue to push this [Court Tavern] story out .Preserving a community’s culture and history is always a great thing to do !”

“Thanks so much for that wonderful article about The Smithereens.  Great deep dive into treasured history.”

“Dude! Great read man, had no idea these [Looking Glass] cats were from New Bruns. As a Rutgers grad myself (Class of '03)  who played all the time on the scene here from about '02 through 2016 or so, it made for a fascinating read! Interesting hearing about all the now long gone streets and bars, etc.”

“Nice job on the Looking Glass Story . Always loved the Song, Brandy...and graduated Rutgers in 82. awesome memory lane!”

“Great article, Bennett, about Looking Glass and Brandy! My cousin sent it to me this evening knowing I've been working on a painting that was inspired by that song. I had no idea they were part of New Brunswick's music scene. I was born in New Brunswick and have a lot of great memories there. Thanks again for the cool, and timely, article.”

“Ben – Fantastic job!  The detail is amazing! This [Looking Glass article] will really add to the canon of rock history in New Jersey and what it was like in the 60s and 70s.  This article will be the new standard by which all future articles on the subject will be judged.  Very nicely done!”

“DUDE!

Awesome article on Mark Lanzoff. 

I turned 18 in 1984 which is when I started trying Unsuccessfully to sneak into that dive to see all the 21 and over punk shows.    I ended up becoming friends with him and it all came full circle when it was time to bring my son home from the hospital and who should be pushing mom and baby down to the front door but Mark.

Love that guy.

Thanks”

“This [Marc Lanzoff profile] is a great article: detailed, funny, entertaining.  Thanks so much for sending it on to me.” 

“Hi Bennett, thank you so much for the [Smithereens] article and interview with Dennis Diken. That was the most in-depth interview, especially about the early days, that any of them have done in awhile.
Great interview and writing!”

“What a great story!! I’ve known Jeff since high school. His younger brother Billy was in my class and we were buddies.

the summer of 72. I had just graduated HS and was soon to go off to Glassboro State College - a bad experience for me. However from June to late August I had the time of my life and tracked Brandy as it worked its way to #1.

When I saw Jeff drum in earlier years at local dances and venues, I had never seen anyone like him.

I saw Ginger Baker drum and thought Jeff was the closest thing to his style.

This detailed story of his life is fascinating. His personality is fascinating. Jeff is a good friend and always a joy to speak with. The interaction with Bruce Springsteen just shows how a slight shift in the wind can make the difference between a rock superstar and a life pushing to make music a career and then shifting to a more “traditional” career - one that he has excelled at as well.

Thanks for this special tribute.”

“I really enjoyed your article on Marc Lanzoff! Keep up the good work.”

“Hey Ben, I grew up north of New Hope and saw my first Ween show at John & Peter’s. Aaron F stole my pitcher of beer and I wrecked my car on the way home. Good times! Anyhow, I enjoy your writing”

“Thanks for your coverage of the NB music scene.”

“I just finished reading your July 14 article with 9 interviews with NB artists past and present (thank you for some of this history!"

“Great work you are doing covering the New Brunswick music scene both past and present.”

"The Melody Piece - well done! I wanted to write and let you know I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment on the 20 Year Anniversary of the closing of The Melody."

"Just read your Melody article. Very cool info on New Brunswick’s 80’s club emergence I wasn’t aware of. "

"Ben, thanks for the [Melody] article and the trip down memory lane. Enjoy this unintentionally hilarious highlight of a drunken New Year's eve show 12/31/90 where the lead singer was the only sober bandmember. There must have been a loose floorboard; otherwise I have no idea how the bass player could have taken a dive :-)"