Our Welcome To Sanford Artist of the Week is a musician who has entertained and served our community for roughly 2 decades. Keith Davis has been a music teacher in public schools for 19 years and currently works at Deep River Elementary. He’s taught private guitar lessons for over 20 years at Buchanan’s Music and has performed live and in studio with countless area and regional musicians throughout that entire time. Keith is best known as a guitar player, but has also mastered the piano, recorder, bass, banjo, mandolin and dobro. Keith’s primary live music project at the moment is Southern Voice, who will be in concert at the Temple Theatre on April 5.
Keith traces his love of music all the way back to his youth at Jonesboro Methodist Church, where Danny Hester led the youth choir. He recalls those times fondly, commenting, “I can remember buying a Bon Jovi cassette tape along with the sound track to the Ghostbusters movie, I would sit and listen for hours to the recordings. When I was a teenager I got a CD player and would stay in my room for hours listening to my favorite CDs.” Keith bought his first guitar at Buchanan’s when he was 14 years old and began taking guitar lessons there. Then, it was on to high school. college, music classes and performing with bands in the years that followed.
Keith has played with several local musicians and groups over the years, include 2 of our area’s musical prodigies, Faith Bardill and Britton Buchanan. Among the many highlights Keith has enjoyed in his performing career, include opening for Charlie Daniels at the Fair Grounds, and winning in the battle of the bands at the Dogwood Festival with the Faith Bardill Band. Keith has been a frequent guitar presence in many of Faith’s projects, including this song she wrote called When The Dust Settles.
Southern Voice will be busy during the first half of the year. In addition to the Temple doncert in April, the band has shows coming up at the Country Showcase in Clinton on February 2 and Nick’s Nighclub in Alexandria, VA on February 8 and 9. Additional 2019 tour dates cover parts of Virginia and range throughout the Tar Heel State from High Point, Graham and Mebane, to Greenville and Benson. The Southern Voice Facebook page does a great job of staying current with recent shows and upcoming dates. With a group of experienced and polished musicians, it’s easy for Southern Voice to slide seamlessly between country, rock, classic rock and even the occasional pop nugget. You can click on the image or this link for a live video performance of the Jason Aldean hit She’s Country. Or click here to access the Southern Voice video vault on Facebook.
Like many artists in our community, Keith has been able to bring enjoyment to others, both by the work he does, and by the teaching he shares.
Artist of the Week is a feature that is devoted to Sanford’s dynamic arts community and the hundreds of talented individuals who are a part of it. Painters — potters — performing artists — musicians and much more! If you, or someone you know, is deserving of recognition, please click here, or on the Artist of Week badge and fill out a nomination document.
