Ben Blankenship

An Oklahoman and a Canadian walk into a bar. It sounds like the start of a joke but in reality it is the start of a musical and romantic relationship that took another 14 years to be realized. 

In 2001, Ben Blankenship moved from the mean streets of Enid, Oklahoma to become Nashville’s next Merle Haggard. A few years later Carol Buttenham headed to Music City via the Caribbean to become the next Dolly Parton. The two crossed paths playing a “round” at the old Country Music Hall of Fame Lounge. They didn’t meet again for many years.

Ben continued writing, recording and playing around Nashville with various performers and songwriters. His Americana/Rock band The Double Intenders have been regulars at a number of Nashville venues. Meanwhile, Carol was traveling back and forth on I-75 touring venues from Ontario to Florida and performing as a solo lounge act on board Carnival Cruise Lines before landing in Nashville.

Dreams change and life happens. Carol took her marketing and booking knowledge from touring and started working with other singer-songwriters and children entertainers. Ben took his love of language and became an English/ELL teacher with Metro Nashville Public Schools.

By 2016 Ben and Carol hadn’t found fame and fortune but they did find each other – hence The Newlyweds. They play a mix of original material, most of which is penned by Ben and a few favorites ranging from Emmylou to Bob Dylan, the Beatles and Buck Owens.