Dave Keller
Dave Keller has made quite a name for himself. He’s earned three Blues Music Award nominations for Best Soul Blues Album of the Year (2014, 2019, 2022). He won the International Blues Challenge’s Best Self-Produced Album Award (2012). He and his band tour constantly, performing at top festivals and venues throughout the U.S. and Europe, winning fans one livewire show at a time.
Thirty years ago, in the icy mountains of Vermont, Dave Keller set forth to play the music he loved: deep Blues. Self-taught as a singer, and armed with an old Yamaha acoustic guitar, Keller learned his lessons on the bandstand. Within a few years, he had switched to electric, put together a funky trio, and was gigging throughout New England. Turns out he had a knack for making people feel good. And writing memorable songs. Before long he had a small army of loyal fans.
Along the way, he fell in love with Memphis Soul. Mentors appeared. Mighty Sam McClain, one of the very deepest Soul/Blues singers, befriended Keller. Legendary guitarist Ronnie Earl (Roomful of Blues) invited Keller to sing and co-write with him (2010’s Living In The Light). Robert Ward, the mystic guitarist of Dry Branch, Georgia, struck up a friendship with Keller as well. And during the past decade, Keller has performed regularly with his close friend Mississippi Soul/Blues master Johnny Rawls.
So many unforgettable experiences: backing up Fontella Bass of “Rescue Me” fame, recording with Al Green’s original Hi Rhythm Section, hanging out in the studio with Bobby “Blue” Bland.
Today, Keller is more than just a torchbearer for the music he loves. He is an award-winning recording artist, a powerful performer, and a top-notch songwriter, bringing his thrilling shows to stages around the world.
Upcoming Shows
Videos
Accolades
2019 Nominee Blues Music Award
Best Soul Blues Album
2017 Nominee Blues Blast Music Awards
Best Soul/Blues CD of the Year, Music Magazine Awards
2017 Nominee Blues Blast Music Award
Best Soul Blues Album
2017 Nominee Best Blues Album of the Year
Downbeat Magazine Reader’s Awards
2014 Nominee Blues Music Award
Best Soul Blues Album of the Year, Soul Changes
2012 Winner of the Granite State Blues Challenge
Granite State Blues Challenge
Discography
2020 You Get What You Give: Duets2020 Live At The Killer Guitar Thriller
2018 Every Soul’s A Star
2016 Right Back Atcha
2013 Soul Changes
2011 Where I’m Coming From
2009 Play for Love
2001 Down at the Aloha
1998 Faith
1993 Deep Down in My Soul
Press
4 stars ~ Downbeat
“a magnificent soul singer” ~ Elmore Magazine
“Steve Cropper-like guitar and soaring vocals…songwriting genius…infectious rhythms…straight-to-the-heart soul” ~ Living Blues
“All night, gut bucket, roadhouse soul that doesn’t stop just because the sun is coming up.” –Midwest Record
“Stunning.” –Michael Kinsman, Blues Revue
“His soul can send chills right through you.” — Jim Hynes, Elmore Magazine
“It’s one of the best records I’ve ever heard.” — Ronnie Earl, legendary blues guitarist
“The Playlist — one of 10 intriguing tracks found in the week’s listening: ’17 Years’, Dave Keller – Recorded with vets from Hi and Stax, this Keller (co-written) tune evokes soul’s ’60s heyday.” — Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY
“Every song on here is a gem.” — Richie, WFOS, Chesapeake, VA
“#1 with a bullet! “17 Years” – Most requested song of the week.” — Richard Carr, CKIA, Quebec City, QC, CANADA
4 out of 5 stars — Julien Crue, Soul Bag, Paris, FRANCE
“For lovers of soul music, this is an absolute must.” — Freddy Celis, Rootstime, BELGIUM
“Soul Changes is, hands down, my favorite record of this year. Son of a gun, you’ve got pure soul running through your veins. This record swoops, hollers, makes me cry, makes me smile, and simply moves me.” — Brett Fleming, WEVL, Memphis, TN
“Arguably, this backing band represents the greatest collection of soul musicians alive today. “17 Years” is tormented, tortured soul at its best. The strength of this CD will have me re-visiting past Keller albums to see what I’ve been missing.” — Bill Mitchell, Blues Bytes
“A superb songwriter and storyteller… Over the years I have heard them all, from the giants to the legends and Dave Keller has what it takes to join their ranks. He is, without question, the real deal, pouring it out with heart, soul and a power that emanates from the deepest regions of the heart. This is the finest soul I’ve heard since the early days. Give him a listen…you won’t be disappointed.” — Bill Wilson, Billtown Blues
“…devastatingly powerful…Soul Changes proves again that Keller is a real deal soul man and tasteful guitarist.” — Jim Hynes, Elmore Magazine
“His honeyed-and-whiskeyed voice makes him sound like a man who has known hurt and found redemption… he inhabits the songs more than just sings them…Keller evokes the period when soul stood for something real, unlike the polished confections of pop.” — Steve Horowitz, PopMatters