Museum
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dances and assemblies at school. He later started singing professionally at clubs and functions in Columbus Mississippi.
Ben began his recording career in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1964 at the world renowned Fame Studios. But, his first record, "Come On
Over," was not released until 1966. It was an instant regional success, since Big Ben already had many followers by that time. Come On
Over has become Big Ben's "signature song." The record was selected the number one record of the year in 1967 on WTBC, the
number-one station (at the time) in Tuscaloosa (the home of the University of Alabama.) It was soon followed by "It Would Take A Miracle,"
which was also very successful regionally.
Ben had five more single records released over the next four years, but the biggest break was yet to come. The break came when he
became the first Caucasion vocal artist ever signed to a contract by STAX records in Memphis. This company was the leader in rhythm &
blues music with the likes of Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Isaac Hayes, Wilson Pickett, and many other African-American artists. Big Ben is
one of the original groups of artists called the "Founding Members" of The Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis. He has also
been selected in the Achievers category for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. (Most of Big Ben's recording was done at Muscle Shoals
Sound Studios and at Stax Studios in Memphis.)
Ben's first album, "Patchouli," won national and international acclaim by Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World magazines. It made
Billboard's Top 100, and received tremendous airplay worldwide. Many more records followed, including a Top 40 single in 1978, "We Don't
Live Here, We Just Love Here". Another album came along in 1982, entitled "Reachin' For The Feeling," as well as another album in the
early nineties. Big Ben's older 45 rpm singles are highly collectible, and are selling for as much as $200.00 per copy on eBay today. Most
of the sales are in England and Japan.
Big Ben has performed all over the country during his career, including performances at The Las Vegas Hilton,The Thunderbird in Las
Vegas, The Grande Hotel, Beau Rivage, and many other hotels - as well as having recorded on Stax (Enterprise), Atlantic, Jubilee, GRT
and many other record labels.
His three-octave vocal range permits his musical style to be very broad ranged, from soul (naturally), to rock, jazz/swing, blues, ballads, and
even to a bit of country. He covers it all equally as well and, has a repertoire of over twelve hundred songs.
Big Ben has in the works - a new album. It will be a compilation of his older hits, plus many of his favorite older songs from other artists,
and some brand new songs, never before released. The album will be entitled "That Was Then, This Is Now." It will include remakes of
"Come On Over", "It Would Take A Miracle", and "I'll Step Aside". It should be released in mid to late Summer, 2004. Also, in progress is
Big Ben's autobiography.
According to Ben, "This has been a lifelong dream - to put my life into words. I just hope it's not too boring to the average reader. What was
exciting to me, may not interest the average person." The book will contain a lot of humor, plus a serious side of Big Ben.
Big Ben performs today as a single act for small functions, as well as larger functions requiring a much bigger arena and stage set up. In
1991, Big Ben was the co-founder, along with Terrell Hattaway, of a twelve piece band called The Class of 65. The band is a complete show
and dance band with a rhythm section, four piece horn section, light show , and female background and lead vocalists.
Ben can be engaged for :
Wedding Receptions
Private Parties
High School Reunions
College Reunions
Conventions
Christmas Parties
Casino Entertainment
No matter what your function's needs may be - solo, or big band - Big Ben Atkins ( Huntsville Entertainer, Alabama Entertainer, and
Southeast Entertainer) has got you covered. Click here >> for Booking.
