Keeping Up with Keller

© C. Taylor Crothers

Keller Williams

He’s known for his breakthrough performances as an acoustic solo act, but what do you really know about Keller Williams? Rum Bum’s Tracy Block chatted with the intriguing artist to find out more about his preferences in jamming, songwriting and plans for the 2010 music fest season.

You’ve been a one-man-jam-band and part of a jam collective. How do the experiences compare? Is it more challenging improvising as part of an ensemble or solo with all of your added components?

Playing with Moseley, Droll and Sipe, we toured pretty extensively for a year-and-a-half and put out a triple disc. Playing with that band is like nothing else I’ve done in my career – handpicked guys I have a massive amount of respect for. There was so much energy and camaraderie that I can’t really replicate as a solo act, so I really miss that experience. I definitely put more physical energy into the solo acoustic show. Each one makes me want to do the other. After being with a band, it’s cool and interesting to go back and do it all by myself, but I miss the energy as a four-piece that can’t be replicated solo.

Would you say your artistry comes natural or is there a science to it?

I would say both. It definitely comes natural and there’s a definite science. As far as timing goes and trying to connect with this audience, there’s a little bit of both. It comes natural in the sense that this is what I do, and I would be doing it on the stage or on a street corner. I’m just lucky to be on stage.

What equipment are you using right now?

Right now, I’m in the weekend warrior mode going out on the weekends and flying out using a stripped down version of our stage show a 160-channel Alden & Heath soundboard that flies with us. We’ve chained three effect unit loopers together and I’m using a Marin HD-28 acoustic guitar and a Mexican Fender Fretless bass that’s brand new. The Gibson Chet Atkins I was traveling with – a different electric guitar – is down right now.

You have released 14 albums. Where does the endless inspiration come from?

It comes from many places first and foremost; it comes from all different kinds of musicians I get inspired by musically. Lyrically it comes from bits of chunks of conversations with different people, real life situations and a lot of imagination involved; me kind of making it up and trying to entertain myself lyrically so to speak. Imagination goes a long way sometimes in a song.

You’re touring in support of Odd. You always seem to make an appearance on a few bills during music fest season. Any plans this summer?

Oh yea, there are a few music festivals I’m doing this summer. Summer Camp out in Illinois, DelFest in Cumberland, MD, and a really cool fest called Hangout Beach in Alabama. Telluride, I’m really excited about, since I have a bluegrass record coming out this summer. It’s a follow up to Keller and The Keels’ Grass, called Thief. It’s all covers and so much fun to play, so we’re taking that to Telluride and Grand Targhee out in Wyoming. Then I’m off to Mile High Fest out in Denver, All Good in West Virginia, Pete Seeger’s Clearwater Fest up New York, which he put together to save the Hudson River.

Are you doing any new covers on this tour? How do you choose from such a wide spectrum of music that has influenced you over time?

Strangely enough, they kind of choose me. I don’t know how I hear some of the stuff. It could be classic rock radio and a song could come on that I don’t own a copy of, but I’ll know all the words to it. That kind of happens a lot and it’s fun to take something like that and change it up into bluegrass or a dance vibe. As far as covers go now, there’s tons of stuff that’s rotating, but I’d like to keep an element of surprise. 

Is South Florida a regular tour stop for you? Why do you look forward to shows down here?

I definitely come every year. We’ve been lucky enough in the past to have a tour bus and we’d take time off. We’re coming to Fort Lauderdale this weekend and we really love coming down, especially in the winter.

What is your most memorable live performance?

Well, I guess the first time I ever played with Bob Weir was at Red Rocks. The venue alone is pretty much enough to freak you out. Then, playing with Bobby after watching him from afar for so many years was a real treat and a real rush for me in 2001. That very first time we played together was definitely something that I’ll remember forever.