Keith Walker - Miles From You
By: Cheryl Harvey Hill, Sr. Staff Journalist
We all know the road leading to country music success ends in Nashville, but we also know it doesn't often begin there. Take Keith Walker, a self-proclaimed “Air Force brat”. He was born in Louisiana, lived “all over”, but spent the bulk of his youth in a beach community near Los Angeles, California. Although country music was a staple in his family home, he says he never really paid much attention to it until an accident left his older brother's girlfriend in a coma. Watching someone he had always looked up to, suddenly seem so vulnerable, was really difficult for him until he noticed how listening to country music seemed to ease his brother's pain. He recognized how Tim McGraw's beautiful song, “Don't Take The Girl”, was actually verbalizing his brother's feelings for him. Walker realized what he was hearing wasn't just a song, it was life made palatable by setting it to music. Once he understood the power of the genre he was hooked. It took him a few years, and like every great artist, there were a couple of learning detours along the way, but he finally made it to Nashville. By the time he arrived, he had made the decision that country music was his only career choice. He spent his days earning a degree at Middle State Tennessee University and his nights learning the ropes of being a dynamic entertainer. He dragged his guitar all over town and played any place that would let him in. He was equally as passionate about his songwriting. He says, “When I sit down to write a song, I always do my best to make it as real and as true to myself as possible.” His passion clearly shows on his debut album where he wrote every song.
The album kicks off with an upbeat life lesson titled "I Know A Corner". This feel good ditty will make it impossible for you to sit still. "eyes on the road / hand on the wheel / feet on the ground / lovin' how it feels / to be free as a bird / flyin' 'round the curve / fast as I can run / soakin' up the sun / I know a corner when I turn one." Trust me, memorize those lyrics 'cause you are going to want to sing along.
The album quickly changes gears and the tempo slows down for the title cut, Miles From You. On this track Walker demonstrates his vocal acuity. His voice, in manner and meter, is reminiscent of legendary artists of the '50's era whose songs could effortlessly fill your senses and seemed to read your mind. I liked the lyrics, enjoyed the music, and loved Walker's voice on this song.
"I Still Do" comes next. This is a sad but sweet song about yearning for a lost love. On this track Walker sounds just like another very popular, and successful, young artist. I'm not going to say who it is, I'm going to wait to see if anyone else picks up on it.
"Firewater" is destined to become a bar anthem and concert staple. The lyric and instrumentals on this track are really good and they simply beg for audience participation. The guitar and fiddle kick it up a notch and the crazy mantra "she's like whiskey / but hotter / she firewater" is certain to have the audience singing along. This was definitely one of the stand out tracks for me.
The tempo slows way down for "Home To Me". The lilt and lyrics of this sweet ballad harkens back to simpler times and I'm always willing to be taken on a musical nostalgia trip. This is a truly beautiful song. "What A Broken Heart Can Do" comes next. I loved the music intro on this song and the instrumental riffs throughout. Next comes "Make A Liar Out of Me", which is simply toe-tapping , feel-good musical challenge. It is followed up by another up tempo tune, "Blue Bandana", the final track on the album.
To borrow from his press kit, this album "has a little something for everyone.His vivid imagery, innate story telling ability and passionate delivery can be heard throughout the eight tracks." Walker thinks people would be surprised to know he is a trained opera singer and actually studied abroad at the University of Vienna in Austria. I, however, am not at all surprised to hear this because when he sings, he has complete vocal control. After listening to this new album all the way through, I have a feeling you will want this artist to be much closer than Miles From You.
Keith Walker offficial website
We all know the road leading to country music success ends in Nashville, but we also know it doesn't often begin there. Take Keith Walker, a self-proclaimed “Air Force brat”. He was born in Louisiana, lived “all over”, but spent the bulk of his youth in a beach community near Los Angeles, California. Although country music was a staple in his family home, he says he never really paid much attention to it until an accident left his older brother's girlfriend in a coma. Watching someone he had always looked up to, suddenly seem so vulnerable, was really difficult for him until he noticed how listening to country music seemed to ease his brother's pain. He recognized how Tim McGraw's beautiful song, “Don't Take The Girl”, was actually verbalizing his brother's feelings for him. Walker realized what he was hearing wasn't just a song, it was life made palatable by setting it to music. Once he understood the power of the genre he was hooked. It took him a few years, and like every great artist, there were a couple of learning detours along the way, but he finally made it to Nashville. By the time he arrived, he had made the decision that country music was his only career choice. He spent his days earning a degree at Middle State Tennessee University and his nights learning the ropes of being a dynamic entertainer. He dragged his guitar all over town and played any place that would let him in. He was equally as passionate about his songwriting. He says, “When I sit down to write a song, I always do my best to make it as real and as true to myself as possible.” His passion clearly shows on his debut album where he wrote every song.
The album kicks off with an upbeat life lesson titled "I Know A Corner". This feel good ditty will make it impossible for you to sit still. "eyes on the road / hand on the wheel / feet on the ground / lovin' how it feels / to be free as a bird / flyin' 'round the curve / fast as I can run / soakin' up the sun / I know a corner when I turn one." Trust me, memorize those lyrics 'cause you are going to want to sing along.
The album quickly changes gears and the tempo slows down for the title cut, Miles From You. On this track Walker demonstrates his vocal acuity. His voice, in manner and meter, is reminiscent of legendary artists of the '50's era whose songs could effortlessly fill your senses and seemed to read your mind. I liked the lyrics, enjoyed the music, and loved Walker's voice on this song.
"I Still Do" comes next. This is a sad but sweet song about yearning for a lost love. On this track Walker sounds just like another very popular, and successful, young artist. I'm not going to say who it is, I'm going to wait to see if anyone else picks up on it.
"Firewater" is destined to become a bar anthem and concert staple. The lyric and instrumentals on this track are really good and they simply beg for audience participation. The guitar and fiddle kick it up a notch and the crazy mantra "she's like whiskey / but hotter / she firewater" is certain to have the audience singing along. This was definitely one of the stand out tracks for me.
The tempo slows way down for "Home To Me". The lilt and lyrics of this sweet ballad harkens back to simpler times and I'm always willing to be taken on a musical nostalgia trip. This is a truly beautiful song. "What A Broken Heart Can Do" comes next. I loved the music intro on this song and the instrumental riffs throughout. Next comes "Make A Liar Out of Me", which is simply toe-tapping , feel-good musical challenge. It is followed up by another up tempo tune, "Blue Bandana", the final track on the album.
To borrow from his press kit, this album "has a little something for everyone.His vivid imagery, innate story telling ability and passionate delivery can be heard throughout the eight tracks." Walker thinks people would be surprised to know he is a trained opera singer and actually studied abroad at the University of Vienna in Austria. I, however, am not at all surprised to hear this because when he sings, he has complete vocal control. After listening to this new album all the way through, I have a feeling you will want this artist to be much closer than Miles From You.
Keith Walker offficial website