Hello! I am Bill, son of the late oldtime banjo master, Will Keys. I have played various instruments, beginning with guitar at age 5. I performed in various rock, jazz and country bands over the years, as well as a church praise band and a children's ministry band. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and that pretty much stopped me from performing in front of audiences. I can no longer play as well as I once could, but I still enjoy playing for myself! I also enjoy hearing other good musicians, no matter what kind of music they play. I think that if a musician plays from his/her heart, that person deserves to be heard. I was born into the oldtime and bluegrass-rich area of eastern Tennessee. However, my musical journey took me into rock and jazz as well. It's all good, and it all can be bad too. :)
I graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a B.S. in Communications in 1979. I then worked at WCYB-TV in Bristol, VA from 1980-1987, leaving for one year (1982) to work for WPCQ-TV (now WCNC) in Charlotte, NC. In 1987, I moved to Birmingham, AL where I was a producer at Strong Automotive Merchandising, Wheeler Advertising and Rogers Advertising. After working for two years for a computer networking company, I started my own small business advertising agency. For two years, I attended seminary in Birmingham in order to become a missionary. I was forced to drop out because of family sickness. In 1998, I moved back to eastern Tennessee, and was stricken with MS. I am now disabled, but I still do website and small business advertising on the side to keep busy. I handle the website for up-and-coming bluegrass/country star, Trey Hensley, as well as Tennessee Skyline, The Fall Creek Band and a few small businesses.
I am married to the beautiful Yuer Su (Susanna) of Guangzhou, China. We are currently waiting for her immigration to the U.S. to be completed.
UPDATE 10/11/08: I have been recruited to play bass for the Bob Lewis Band in the Johnson City, TN area. Bob was the anchorman/News Director on WJHL-TV for several years and is quite a good drummer.
