With undeniable vocal talent and fine-tuned production served straight up, Keith E. Galliher Jr. is an artist that any pop rock music enthusiast will thoroughly enjoy. The success of his latest awarding-winning work has not gone unnoticed by the critics, with one recently writing: ‘Galliher's heartfelt ode to the innocence of youth and the oncoming perils of adult life is warmed by his overpowering affection for the titular girl.’ Yet there’s something special about Keith E. Galliher Jr. that sets him apart from other pop rock acts. In a musical generation characterized by manufactured pop acts, Keith E. Galliher Jr.'s originality and sincerity do more than stand out. They reveal qualities that cannot be engineered in the studio. There’s also an unpretentious realness to this artist out of Las Vegas and judging by his growing fan base, he may be precisely what the new generation didn't know it was missing. Independent reporter Blake Wright recently caught up with Keith E. Galliher Jr. to get an inside look at this exciting new artist and to learn what he has in store for fans this year.
BLAKE: When did you first get that feeling that your music career was gaining momentum?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: One of my singles, “Ain’t No Sunshine” moved up the ITunes Easy Listening Charts in Niger occupying the number one spot for twenty seven weeks. It is still number 1.
BLAKE: Your song 'Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: It’s always a thrill to hear your music on the radio. “Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop” in its electronic dance format was a fun song to do. I hope everybody enjoys listening to it as much as we did making it.
BLAKE: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: Actually, I have recorded 33 songs to date. All have received radio airplay at various locations throughout the world. The first song of mine I heard on the radio was “Memory of All”. This was a song I did in remembrance of the victims of 9/11 and their families. It was played on a small AM station in Connecticut. I will always thank the host of the show for taking the time to play this song.
BLAKE: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: Not really. I have been blessed with a very happy and productive life. I am entering my 42nd year as a practicing attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada. My law practice has provided for my family, employees, and friends. Music is something I have had great interest in since I was a small child. I played piano for a number of years which lead to composing my own music. There was approximately a 50 plus year hiatus between my piano playing days and the time I first began recording songs. The catalyst for singing songs was my very happy marriage to my wife, Linda. My initial album called “Love Songs for Linda” was made in honor of her and our relationship.
BLAKE: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…)
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: I’m very relaxed about my music. As a result, there is a lot of versatility in the songs we have done. I enjoy my time in the studio and utilize it as a vacation from my very busy law practice. To me, there is nothing complicated about the music I do. It is a lot of fun and I sing from my heart.
BLAKE: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: I’m blessed to have Clarence Collins, founder of Little Anthony and The Imperials, and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as my Producer. Clarence and I have been friends for over thirty years. Willie Weist and Mary Ekler are the arrangers for our music. Willie has done arrangements for Broadway musicals and Mary was a lead arranger for American Idol. Jim Gillstrap is our primary backup vocal artist. Jim tours with Stevie Wonder and James Taylor, among others. Clarence will, on occasion, also sing backup vocals. He did this for quite some time as a member of the Imperials. Rob Katz is our sound engineer. Rob also is a sound engineer when Celine Dion records. All of our music is recorded at The Studio at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. This venue has been utilized by well over one hundred major music stars including Beyoncé, Celine Dion,Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and The Killers.
BLAKE: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: Not really. My parents were not particularly interested in music. I started playing the piano at six years old and played it for a number of years thereafter. I was always interested in music and enjoyed it tremendously. My brother Mike plays guitar and sings a little bit, Otherwise, there are no other musicians in the family.
BLAKE: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: Recording songs gives me a chance to be artistic and musical. I do not have that opportunity in my law practice. I am a trial lawyer and, therefore, I spend a lot of time in the courtroom. The law allows me some creativity when it comes to my thought process and choice of words. However, the music fills a void that my law practice can never fill. Setting aside the time to record. As I said early, my law practice is very busy. As a result, I must clear my calendar to record. Generally, I rehearse at home at night or in my car on the way to and from the office.
BLAKE: Who are your role models in music?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: I was a big Beatles fan. I also like the Rolling Stones. More recently, I enjoy the music of Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Elton John.
BLAKE: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: Because of my busy schedule, I’m not able to tour with my music or appear on stage with any frequency. We made a music video for “A Song Without An End”. This is an original song of Teddy Randazo which appears as song number ten on my Love Songs For Linda album. It was an all-day shoot was my first experience in front of the camera as an actor/musician.
BLAKE: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: You must persevere. Becoming prominent as an artist is a long, painstaking process. Very few people become household names overnight. Thankfully, I have my law practice to support my economic needs and do not depend upon the music for that purpose.
BLAKE: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
KEITH E. GALLIHER JR.: I don’t really know. I will be doing a television appearance for a television station in Cleveland, Ohio in the next several months. I have been asked, to appear on stage and probably will sometime in the not too distant future. In the interim, I will continue my recording efforts as time permits. I have recorded 33 songs to date. There are three complete albums. Future recording will depend upon available material. We have some new Teddy Randazo songs to record. Additionally, we have recorded several songs by Molfetta twins. Four of those songs appear on my Two Paths album. If the past is any indication, we will select a new single and record it within the next month or two. It is more likely than not that the new single will be a song written by Teddy Randazo or the Molfetta twins which has never been recorded before.
BLAKE: That sounds great! Thank you for giving us a peak into your life as an artist. I wish you much continued success in your musical and legal careers!
http://www.keithgalliherjrmusic.com/music-1.html
