Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Keller.
Hi Jim, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started playing classical music at around 5 or 6 and then like millions of other baby boomers jumped track on February 9th, 1964, the day the Beatles premiered in the US on the Ed Sullivan show. There was no looking back. I was always playing music, but my first real band was Tommy Tutone which I formed around 1978 with Tommy Heath in SF. I moved to LA in the early 80’s before moving to NY where I live now. Many different musical incarnations along the way. 25 years ago, I started working for Philip Glass, running his publishing company and then becoming his manager. I’ve released four albums since the late 2000’s. Weekly jams with so many great players in town and the same every visit to LA. Residences at The Lakeside Lounge and then The Rockwood Music Hall when the Lakeside closed down. My new release with Mitchell Froom, ‘By No Means’, is the most recent effort.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m not sure there is a smooth road to anywhere I’d want to go and there is certainly no smooth road to a life in music. I was very fortunate to have the success I had with Tommy Tutone and to have a hit with “867-5309/Jenny” which I co-wrote with Alex Call. The afterlife was not so charming. Even with a pretty clear understanding of the realities of the pop music career arc, you always somehow believe that it will go on forever. Which it doesn’t. There were many years after the band with no money and no discernible path forward. I was lucky to meet Philip Glass at a time when he was looking for help which turned into a long productive relationship. I quit playing music completely for almost ten years while I was building a family. Eventually, I was unable to live without it. You can fake it for a while, but it catches up with you. Thank God! I always say that to accomplish anything remotely impactful, you need to have an irrational enthusiasm, otherwise you would never put up with what is thrown in your path.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Honestly, every time I write a song that makes my writing partner Byron Isaacs and I smile, I’m happy. There is incredible joy in touching that ever-elusive pop magic. Any time I get close, I feel very lucky. I have also had the privilege of working with Philip Glass for over 25 years and I am proud of the work that I have done with him however different from my own music.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I still write with yellow legal pads and a pencil. Fortunately, they still make ’em.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jimkellermusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimkellermusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jimkellermusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dunvagen1
Image Credits:
Jimmy Fontaine and Brandise Danesewich
