ROSS KEY COUNTRY 

"Resurrecting Music Row One Country Song At A Time" ...RKC

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ROSS KEY

Vocals • Rhythm, Lead & Bass Guitar • Dobro • Banjo • Fiddle • Keyboard/Piano • Mandolin • Upright Bass
Entertainer • Musician • Songwriter
30+ Years Professional Experience
Sold through ASCAP

Represented by BMI Nashville

BOOKING AGENT

Brenda Porter - TCN Booking Agency

434-907-8211 or Email: rosskeycountry@gmail.com

Professional Background includes:

COUNTRY CIRCUIT:
BLUEGRASS CIRCUIT: 
GOSPEL CIRCUIT: 

He has performed on stage with Willie Nelson by personal invitation, and opened for Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Emmylou Harris, Ronnie Milsap, Jimmy Buffett, Hank Williams Jr., Freddy Fender, Joe Stampley, and numerous others.

HONORS & AWARDS

• Recipient of the distinguished Virginia State Dobro Championship
• Third Palm Eagle Scout: Boy Scouts of America
• Music Ambassador: Boy Scouts of America European Tour
• Private audience with King Gustaf of Sweden during Boy Scouts of America European Tour
• Independent Country Music Association (ICMA) 2012 "Best Musician" Nominee
• Independent Country Music Association (ICMA) 2013 "Best Country Music Festival" Winner
• Recipient of State of Tennessee & Governor Bill Haslam's distinguished "Colonel Aide de Camp" for his support of the military and veterans (2015)
• Recipient of State of Tennessee & Governor Bill Haslam's "Certificate of Appreciation" for his continuous efforts to promote and preserve Traditional Country music through his Traditional Country Network™ (TCN) organization (2015)
• 2016 Clay's Country Fan Choice Award "Band of the Year" award Winner

Key is a member in good standing with:

Country Music Association (CMA) • Independent Country Music Association (ICMA) • Reunion Of Professional Entertainers (ROPE) • Nashville Musicians Club (NMC) Honorary Founding Charter Member • Country Music Association Hall of Fame • Musicians In Action Guild • Texas Country Music Association (2016)

TODAY

Key is the CEO and founder of the Traditional Country Network™. An organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Tradtional Country music. 

Key hosted his own Traditional Country Music Show for one year on lower Broadway, bringing acts onto his stage that promote, write and perform Traditional Country music.

Key hosts his annual Spring Fling Festival, showcasing Traditional Country music artists and up-and-coming performers from around the world. This event takes place mid-May of each year.

Key has headlined the KIDS benefit sponsored by the Musicians In Action Guild of Nashville, Tennessee for children who are under the age of 18 and subjected to the illegal use of medications not designed for them.  • He hosted a fundraising concert for the Lebanon-Wilson County Humane Society which took place in August 2012 in Lebanon, Tennessee. • And, Key hosts at least two events per year to benefit the Unknown Soldiers organization since 2015.

BIO - 
Born and raised in Lynchburg, Virgina, Ross Key was born with a God-given musical talent. While he will tell you he had to work at learning each instrument he plays, he easily acquired the basics of music. Until 2011, Key lived within a 20-mile radius of his hometown. Key's paternal grandparents told him he was a direct decendent (6th generation) grandson of Francis Scott Key, the author of our nation's National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. His uncle, Tommy Dunaway, played in the band with Mel Tillis, so as a child, he was exposed to the world of country music. Key recalls meeting Tillis' daughter, Pam, when they were both small children.

Ross was given his first guitar by an older brother at age 12 and by 15, he was teaching guitar professionally at a local music store. He had his first paid, weekly gig by age 14 with his band, Key and the MasterLocks. He performed live on a local Jerry Lewis Telethon, and hired to perform at a McDonalds’ Grand Opening at that age. At age 16, he traveled Europe with the Boy Scouts of America, performing before King Gustaf of Sweden, which earned him a private audience with the King. He also performed before other political figures of that time throughout Europe. Key earned his Third Palm Eagle Scout badge by age 18.

A versatile musician, Key is an established professional entertainer and musician, having developed his own unique style of guitar picking. He incorporates his own material into his show which has garnered much attention from local and regional venues, radio stations, A&R’s, and record companies.Versatility coupled with a unique and distinctive style of his own, Key maintains a firm grasp on country music as it was performed by country music legends decades ago. His vocals range from soft and rasping to a hard, driving sound that creates an air of originality. Unlike many in his field, Key doesn't duplicate or mimic. He makes each song his own, performing those songs that touch his heart in some manner.

Key held the #1 spot for 24 months on ReverbNation’s local country music chart with his song, Saturday Night, and maintains a growing international fan base. Saturday Night still holds the #2 spot on his hometown country chart. In March and April 2011, Key debuted his talent in Nashville for the first time, performing in prestigious venues such as the Nashville Palace, Bluebird Cafe, and The Listening Room. However, it wasn’t until he attended a jam session in Lebanon, TN that he caught the attention of the then recently inducted CMA Hall of Fame, multi-platinum songwriter, Roy August. To-date, the pair have co-written songs for Key to record on a forthcoming album. His four week debut turned into a six week stay, having to return for another two weeks in May and June. In July 2011, Key officially moved to Nashville, leaving his native Lynchburg, Virginia for the first time.

Key holds a degree in Drafting and Architectural Science from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. He is a master carpenter, plumber, and electrician.

WEBSITES

www.rosskey.com

www.ReverbNation.com/RossKey

www.myspace.com/rosskeycountry

www.facebook.com/rosskeycountry

www.facebook.com/rosskey