Ben got his first lessons from a dancing master named Sean O'Donohue, who came from Ballyshannon to teach music and dancing, just prior to the outbreak of World War No 2. A local man, Francis John McGovern, who played many instruments, had an early influence as did, of course, his mother and father. The house was always open to callers and many musicians were regular visitors.

During the war years emigration ceased and a lot of young people were around and quite a few were playing instruments, including a fine fiddle player from Co. Fermanagh named John Joe Gordon, who became an inspiration to all.

The old 78's began to come from America and those lucky enough to own a gramaphone were blessed.  The influence of this music began to supercede the local tradition, but the older musicians had difficulty in trying to copy such masters as Coleman, Morrison, etc. People like John Gordon, however, were undaunted and  quite capable of executing this style. Ben Lennon thought, if it could be done, he would have a go. It was however many years later that he found the time for practice and so ended up with a mixture of North Leitrim/ Fermanagh/Sligo styles.

Ben left Kiltyclogher in 1949, as did John Gordon a little earlier, both going to England. Ben's youngest brother Charlie had begun playing the fiddle and was left behind to keep the musical home fire alight. Ben did not then play for another 10 years, until he met up with Seamus Connolly in Killaloe in Co. Clare in the early 60's.

The 60's saw a great revival in the folk scene and a myriad of young talent appeared and this carried on into the 70's with groups and bands popping up all the time. Ben's family took up the music including Maurice on fiddle and Brian on flute.

It was in 1988 when Ben retired  that he first recorded an album on the Claddagh label entitled "Dog Big Dog Little" with Fermanagh musicians Seamus Quinn, Ciaran Curran and Gabriel McCardle.