by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
WHAT: Keith Anderson Live in Concert
WHERE: Mainstage, Jacksonville Fair
WHEN: Thursday, November 8th
On first blush, Keith Anderson seems to have been created by Central Casting as the ideal country star, with movie star good looks (he makes girls scream) and extraordinary songwriting talent. However, upon closer examination, it turns out that Keith pursued country music after graduating from Oklahoma State with an engineering degree, and a career in professional baseball with the Kansas City Royals. After a shoulder injury ended that career, Keith moved to Nashville to learn about performing and the business of country music. He studied music and songwriting and it didn’t take long for him to figure out that music was his calling.
From the very beginning of his music career, playing clubs around Nashville, Keith created a buzz with his songs that everyone called hits. Soon he was being courted by Nashville’s elite producers and record companies. Keith’s drop dead good looks were causing quite a stir with young women, who packed out his club dates. For the Nashville moguls, signing Keith was a no-brainer–he was a natural star with incredible songwriting talent.
When Keith finally went out as a touring artist he had done his homework and it all clicked together. Big & Rich made a hit from one of his songs, which is now up for an award. Out on tour, Keith was burning up the stages with sold-out shows of screaming female fans. His songs were climbing the charts as top 10 hits on his Arista Records debut Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll, which substantiates Keith’s country-rock roots influences such as Travis Tritt and Big & Rich.
To personalize this piece, EU called Keith on the road to chat about his rise to country music stardom. Keith is a humble guy who comes from Oklahoma and feels genuinely blessed to be living his dream. He is as naturally engaging as his songs, which he delivers with an unwavering solid voice. He was a pleasure to interview.
“I grew up a big fan of Bon Jovi and John Cougar Mellencamp–rock music of that era. I also liked Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and country rock artists like Travis Tritt. So, yeah, I was influenced by rock and country. But I came to this music thing in an odd way. After college I joined the Kansas City Royals baseball team, which I thought was my calling. But then fate stepped in and I got a career ending injury. I was thinking hard about what I wanted to do next. I had always liked music and I had considered learning to play guitar and perform long before college and baseball.
“Without hesitation, I moved to Nashville to learn about music and the business. I had friends who were out touring, so I studied their careers. I worked odd jobs to keep going and I studied music. When I started writing songs, people really liked them, so I went out to pay some dues in the local scene. Soon I was causing a buzz and one thing lead to another. Before long, people were making me offers. But I felt that I wasn’t ready to tour, so I signed a publishing deal and soon I was selling songs to other artists who became my friends. It was a smart move. Many top names helped me get to a professional level as a performing artist, and when I felt I was ready, I signed with Arista Records and here I am, on the road, living my dream. I’m having a ball, but I’m continuing to write songs for myself and other artists, which will give me security down the line when and if I get tired of the road,” Keith said.
Yes, Keith has the talent, looks and Nashville credibility to go far in the business. His easy going manner and humble attitude was refreshing. It’s easy to get a big head when one is on top. But Keith is grounded by reality and his past foundation learning the business. Above all, he considers what he does a business, which is his key to longevity.
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