Key Frances
"re-writes the blues manual, tears it up, & walks off with the very best elements into another stratosphere!"
-Real Music Live, London England
The Music is
Experimental, Cutting Edge,
Ever Changing and Totally Original
Key's Musical Roots comes from the
~ Funky New Orleans Swing~
Texas Driving Guitar,
and some Psychedelic Hits from Snowboarding the Rocky Mountains
Key's first time performing his songs before an audience was between sets for Robert Cray. When Key approached Cray as an 'unknown', Cray looked him up & down, then said, "Sure, go ahead". Afterward Cray congratulated, "Good set"
Later on in & around Austin, Key spent alot of time hanging out with Albert Collins, talking & playing the guitar. Once after a gig with Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Key & Junior Wells sat down and drank a bottle of whiskey just the two of them. All Key remembers is Junior Wells 'passing the torch' to him. Key was a little drunk and doesn't remember where he put it...
Junior Wells said, " I've seen alot of players...but Key's the real thing"
It was in Austin that Key's music caught the attention of the producer
Bob Johnston (Bob Dylan: Bring It All Back Home through Nashville Skyline)
who teamed him up with
Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon
of the famed
SRV's band "Double Trouble"
for an album of Key's original music.
Key Frances is based out of Los Angeles
FOR BOOKING CONTACT
Pilar
KING SNAKE ENTERTAINMENT
310.924.9587
Born & raised in Seattle, Key grew up exploring the great world of the Pacific Northwest during a time when the old Indian totems still stood tall and proud, when the powerful Indian spirit still breathed freely in nature. One can hear this presence in Key's guitar tone, resonating beyond the mundane.
Key's work ethic developed during the summers he spent on a large wheat and cattle ranch. As a child he had to feed the pigs which were bigger than he was. Later he drove heavy farm equipment and fought brush fires.
Key's rite of initiation into manhood came via the Marine Core. Based at El Toro, Key became exposed to the vibrant music scene in and around Los Angeles.
This was the era when R & B dominated the radio and jazz was at its peak. Sam Cook, the sounds of Motown, and Ray Charles filled the air. He heard Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rolands, and Charles Mingus, all live in their prime.
This era sequed wayed in to pyschedelic blues ripping on the electric guitar.
These great guitar players exploded onto the scene and Key found himself once again immersed in the sound. Now he heard Albert Collins, Albert King, BB King, and Buddy Guy. The inspiration to pick up the guitar came after hearing Buddy Guy in concert. That experience began the long and tenacious process of mastering his craft. His first experiences as a singer/songwriter and guitarplayer were playing between the Robert Cray's sets.
While developing his music, Key worked as a cross country truck driver, a railroad brakeman, a commercial pilot, and entreprenured ventures such as running a bus up and down the West Coast. The business was eventually bought by the now infamous Green Tortoise. He also raced cars.
www.KEYFRANCES.com
This profile was edited with blipsy.com Editor
Some Song Translations from The Pyramid Session Live...
Request Key's music on
HALO Radio & Whole Wheat Radio & Radio Holstebro & Radio Tonka & Radio Basile !
KEY FRANCES... "TEARS IT UP"
-Real Music Live, London England
It's a
Sublime Exploration
Creating Its Own Genre:
Psycha~Blues
"the music will take you to places you didn't even know existed"
- Inside Connection, New York