Kelly Bennette was born in Port Arthur, Texas, and grew up in the neighboring city of Groves.  He attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in music education in 1989.  For many years he was the tubist for the Lamar Faculty Brass Quintet as well as the Beaumont Symphony Orchestra.

He has taught high school bands in Texas for many years.  His compositions include around eighty marches, many concert pieces and overtures of varying degrees of difficulty.  At the time he became involved with Brazilian Music Publishing, he was director of the award winning Union Hill High School Band, principal tubist with the East Texas Symphonic Band and Tubist with the Tyler Community Band..