We recently connected with Larry Keen and have shared our conversation below.
Larry, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
When I was 6 years old, I sang in the church choir in Parkersburg, WV. I had a crisp clear tenor voice and my mother took great pride in my participation!
When I turned 12, my aunt took me down to the local music store and bought me my first guitar and showed me the basic chords. I practiced diligently and by the time I was 13, I was asked to play in one of the local bands “The Shadows.” We practiced at my parent’s home on the weekends and am sure drove them crazy playing the same 5 songs over and over at a considerable volume!
I graduated from Ohio University then graduated from West Virginia University, receiving my master’s degree. I was accepted into medical school, however, in the back of my mind there was always the thought, could I make it in show business as an entertainer!
After graduation, I followed my heart and made a decision to pursue music professionally. An engagement at Davidson College led to an audition at the famed Bitter End which led to the “New York Coffee Circuit.” From there it was off on the road where I shared the spotlight with notables such as Jay Leno, Don McLean, Billy Crystal, Jim Croce, the Chapin Brothers and the legendary Jimmy Buffett.
I spent years playing SRO crowds at colleges throughout the East and Midwest before settling in Los Angeles in 1976. During the next 20 years, I played the LA market, recording three records and performing at such LA music landmarks such as The Troubadour, the Bla Bla Café, The Great American Food and Beverage Company, and a 6-year stint as the “house performer” at the legendary Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, CA.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I was 37 years old and realized that my time to make in the pop music business had passed me by. The record deals had faded away. I decided to get married and gave up the music business by starting Air Gourmet, a corporate jet catering business with my wife. During the next 10 years, I had my two wonderful sons, Taylor and Cody. My wife and I built Air Gourmet into one of the top Corporate Jet Catering Companies in the United States. We sold Air Gourmet in 1997 and left LA for the Colorado Rockies! It was at this time that I decided to get back into the music biz!! I spent the next 10 years playing the ski resorts from Breckenridge to Vail with fiddle player extraordinaire Michael Fauth!
Unfortunately, my marriage unraveled in 2006 and I moved to Denver. This is where I met my current wife, artist, Colleen Taylor. We relocated to Phoenix in 2011 and I have continued my journey as a professional musician singer, songwriter and entertainer! I currently perform at various locations and events in the Phoenix, AZ area. In addition, I perform at The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, AZ with my keyboard player, Bob Sheade. We’ve been performing there for the last 10 years every Saturday night. My gift of story telling, coupled with my musicality and vocal styling’s make every show a special event.
My recent musical venture consists of creating a new band, Bama Breeze Music. This band is a tribute to the Head Parrot head, Jimmy Buffett. Based in Arizona, Bama Breeze brings the spirit of coastal paradise to the desert landscape. With our eclectic backgrounds and shared passion for Jimmy Buffett’s timeless tunes, this tribute band delivers a musical experience that will transport you straight to the shores of Margaritaville.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Singing, playing the guitar, entertaining and writing songs has always been the thing that “makes my heart sing”. No, I did not make it to the heights I had dreamed of when I was a boy, however, I can still play the guitar, sing and entertain as well, if not better, than I did when I was in my 20’s! It still makes my heart sing!!!!
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