John Paul Keith

A rootsy and clever singer/songwriter from Knoxville, Tennessee, John Paul Keith spent his early years singing in church and picked up the guitar near age ten. His father, a truck driver, passed along an affinity for classic rock and blues figures such as Chuck Berry and B.B. King. During his teenage years Keith joined the alt-country group the Viceroys, though he eventually departed to launch a solo career based in Nashville. His first album, Spills and Thrills, appeared in 2009 and earned widespread critical acclaim for blending driving pop, country, and blues elements that recalled Buddy Holly, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Booker T. & the MG's, even as commercial breakthrough remained elusive.

Relocating to Memphis in his late twenties rekindled his creative drive. There he assembled the expert bar band the One Four Fives alongside drummer John Argroves and bassist Mark E. Stuart. The ensemble built a devoted local audience, while opening slots for Lucero and Jack Oblivian further spotlighted Keith’s vintage rock approach. In 2011 John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives issued the Bruce Watson-produced The Man That Time Forgot on Fat Possum, followed in fall 2013 by Memphis Circa 3AM, produced by Roland Janes and also released on Fat Possum.

That same year Keith teamed with double-bassist/vocalist Amy LaVere to form the country- and rockabilly-influenced duo Motel Mirrors. Over the ensuing period he maintained an active schedule of touring and live performances while contributing to recordings by the Bo-Keys, Rich Minus, and Don Bryant. In 2018 he delivered his fourth solo album, Heart Shaped Shadow, and Motel Mirrors issued their first full-length project, In the Meantime.