Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Keez.
Hi Mandy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Thank you so much for asking! I started piano lessons when I was 7 in Lombard IL, then guitar lessons at 10 when I started my first Rock band with my best friend and her brother, going on and adding electric bass at 15, already singing and writing songs. I got my BA in Music, emphasis Piano at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, where I recorded my first 4 original songs, one of which has been digitized and released a few years ago.. After graduating I began teaching at a local music store where I met my husband Steve. A few years later they closed and we opened our own music store Park Ave Guitarz, selling high-end guitars, basses and amps, luthier services and music lessons. We married a few years later then had our daughter Serena who is a prominent Nashville violinist. Along the way I joined/started a Disco Funk Motown tribute band 7DEEZ and we gigged across the Midwest for 25 years headlined major festivals, clubs, casinos and corporate shows, while I was also an accompanist at Wheaton College, had my own classroom as a music teacher in Naperville, subbed for band and orchestra in Glen Ellyn, played in West Suburban Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, gigged in countless other bands including both Chicago Skynyrd tributes and entirely made my living from music and continue to do so.
Everything changed drastically when IL locked-down and I lost every job I had including our then 34 years business, not being allowed to operate. We realized as we were about to lose everything we needed to move out of IL and since TN was on our radar for eventual retirement here I am, the happiest camper in my new beautiful home state of almost five years now!
The opportunities in Nashville have been endless and more than I ever imagined they would be! Besides being so much more affordable in every way, I have found more performance opportunities as well as being signed as a model and also acting including scenes in last year’s Hallmark A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, 911 Nashville, Scarpetta and print ads. My main focus is continuing songwriting, releasing my music on all platforms and performing live every chance I get, while still teaching private music lessons. In addition to my love for music is my love for animals, still supporting shelters in my former home state and now here in TN. I have met and performed with so many amazing musicians here and have so many incredible friends, I couldn’t be happier!!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Almost never a smooth road, especially in the music business! Truly the roughest was when we lost our music store in the Chicago suburbs, being told we could be fined and arrested if we were caught operating. We built it from scratch, self-financed starting with one guitar, this was my mainstay most of my adult life. Losing all performance opportunities for my bands was tragic as well. Having to find a new place to live in another state, having only lived in IL my entire life was terrifying. In hindsight it’s the best move I ever made!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a keyboard player, singer-songwriter. I write all styles but am currently focused on Boogie Piano, being one of my lifetime favorite genres. My music streams on all platforms. I perform solo as a songwriter at iconic venues like Commodore Grille and Fox & Locke and also play in bands: Southern Rock, Country, Rock, throughout TN as well as KY, AL, IN and have my own band Mandy Keez & The Kritterz playing a mix of my own songs and cool covers from retro one-hit wonders to current hits and lots of singalongs. I think what sets me apart is writing and performing in niche genres, sneaking in a bit of humor and being very interactive with my audiences, I love entertaining and am generally more comfortable on stage than off.
I’m most proud of networking and making so many talented friends in the music industry, watching my daughter Serena thrive here and having so many people actually wanting to hear my songs!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Connecting with my audience, making them feel they’re a part of the show. Because they are. Without them there would be no show. Making them laugh, watching so many tapping their feet and making them happy means so much to me.. One new follower, one more stream, a new subscriber, I celebrate every one of them!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mandykeez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandykeezmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FU5SUuiwW/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-bajek-harnack-04a05722
- Twitter: https://x.com/mandykeezmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mandykeez
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/zhjrim4up2tDDsKroj
