Rising Stars: Meet Kevin Keith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Keith.

Hi Kevin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My parents (in their beautifully infinite wisdom) began me on piano lessons at age 4 – I still use tools from these lessons to this day. I continued piano lessons through high school while adding drum lessons at age 10. While I had some interest in becoming a meteorologist or an automobile designer, music always seemed to take the lead in my mind.

I went to college for music in Michigan, and after my Master’s program, I moved to Denver, where I spent 5 years gigging, taking lessons from local professionals, and learning what I wanted out of my career. As the world reopened, and thanks to the guidance of the best caring friends and family a man could ask for, I took the leap to Nashville and could not be happier with the decision.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I imagine no one’s road is perfectly straight. Thankfully, most of my struggles were self-imposed, mentally and physically – my circle of friends and family have never been anything but supportive. It took me until recently to truly focus on my well-being in this regard, which for me was being able to achieve the hustle while maintaining a healthy workout and sleep routine.

This past year (2020 and early 2021, specifically) also afforded me the time to finally focus on bettering myself as a person, while doing some much-needed soul searching to decide what I really wanted to do for a living within the music industry. It was hard not being able to perform live with my friends and colleagues, but having that proverbial rug yanked out from underneath my feet made me realize how much I cherish it, and I will never again take that for granted.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I perform mostly on my drumset. I began playing on the Lower Broadway circuits almost immediately after moving to town, and have found a home as a singing drummer (there really is nothing more fulfilling than three-part harmonies in a rock band!). This work has been incredibly consistent and has put me in the room with some world-class musicians and people. Being able to sing someone’s request and know that you helped make their trip to town special is better than any high you can achieve on your own.

I recently played on the road with singer Allie Keck in West Virginia when she opened for Parmalee and had the privilege to play with singer Palmer Anthony as he played Country Thunder in Phoenix for the first time. I have also taken up session work as a drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist since moving to town, and I absolutely love being able to work with other artists to realize their vision.

I have taken up co-producing and songwriting since moving to town, and am in the process of mixing two original songs – one written by myself and the other co-written with Adam Ewbank. I try to channel my experiences between my live work downtown into my personal relationships and musicality in the studio, and being able to construct songs in a professional studio has given me a completely different view of playing the parts of others’ songs live.

Lastly, I am able to satisfy my teaching background by working as an assistant teacher at Brentwood High School in Williamson County Schools. Watching students grow as humans is something every musician should experience at some point in their life.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I am a proud Michigander and consider Pittsburgh my second home (most of my Mom’s side of the family still lives there). Go Steelers!

I think it incredibly important to express interests outside of work, and in that spirit, I have recently taken up golf. It is very therapeutic (unless you’re having a bad game!). I also try to get an hour of reading in every day – it keeps the imagination alive!

If I’ve learned one thing during the past year, it’s that no matter how bad the world looks, you truly are in control of your happiness. Don’t ever sell yourself short and keep good people close to you!

Pricing:

• Lessons: $1 per minute
• Sessions: $100 per track

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: kevinkeithmusician.com
• Instagram: @kevinkeithmusician
• Facebook: @kevin.keith2
• Youtube: youtube.com/c/kevinkeithmusician

Image Credits
Adam Ewbank