Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Askins.
Hi Keith, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started learning drums around 4yrs old which started my music journey then started playing drums in church around 7yrs old but about 9 or 10 was the first time I really heard a bass player with a quartet band and immediately said ohhh what is that I want play that lol, I would put 4 rubber bands around a book and just thump the rubber bands to songs, maybe a few Christmas’s after that my parents bought me a bass and been playing bass ever since
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anything is necessarily a smooth road, there’s always going to be road bumps, a detour, road construction that you didn’t plan for. I’ve had a few life threatening and potentially career ending injuries from car accidents that took time for to use my left hand fully, my left shoulder would go numb, and a few concussions which caused a lot of discomfort to still learn and playing music and somehow I pushed thru those trials and came out on the other side of it not allowing the gift of music to be taken away from me, I had to just work a little harder and a little longer to get back to where I was and now I’m on the downhill of regaining my playing to what it was and even better. So Whether it’s getting moved off your instrument as a child or Adult for someone else they prefer and or more experienced, to unplanned events or simply you’re not apart of their musician circle of call ons or friends it’s all part of growing, learning taking a different route or slowing down here and there on your path to whatever destination you are looking for but they are all learning experiences
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 currently a bass player, who recently relocated to Nashville TN area to be near my daughters again as one was finishing high school and starting college I wanted to be able to attend her final highschool career games and now her college basketball games without having to fly across the country every few weeks to attend but in the process I have met some new friends and musicians and have started playing bass regularly in Nashville areas, some church, some R&B stuff, I also do some session bass work as well. I do still travel with some previous artists I became established with from being in my home town. Being in a new city for me amongst tons of amazing musicians, artists, bass players besides me being the best professional musician I can I’ve also learned your character goes along way as well many times the type of person you are usually is talked about in the room before your playing even really gets a chance.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes, stay versatile whether on multi instruments or just one instrument, you may love certain genres and you may even prefer playing certain genres but expanding your palette will broaden your reach and call opportunities, recently I went from playing and recording a live CCM worship CD to playing and recording 2 live Choral/Opera songs the following week to Recording bass tracks for an R&B artist, a gospel choir, 2 smooth jazz tracks for an artist and bass tracks for a foreign overseas artist to playing with a soul, funk,jazz, R&B artist a week later all while still playing Gospel in church, so stay versatile don’t limit or put your ownself in a box (I’m still waiting to get that country bass gig I’ve always wanted since I was a child lol)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith_playsbass?srtk=dmxheWRibDQyazZs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DfLyXpRuQ/
