BIOGRAPHY

JAMES KEELER BAND BIO

Hello everyone, I’m James Keillor, and I would like to take a moment to share some information about my band, the James Keeler Band. (Yes, you may notice the phonetically altered spelling, . . . people have been mispronouncing my name throughout my entire life! ). Our motto succinctly encapsulates our sound: “Funky, Danceable Blues/Rock,” “Blues You Can Use,” or, my personal favorite, “Party Music for the Soul.” When we envision our musical identity, we picture a vibrant fusion where Albert Collins meets Sly Stone, all while being driven down a dusty back road alongside Billy Gibbons. Our overall vibe is undoubtedly positive, and our rhythm remains delightfully funky and bluesy, inspiring folks to stay on the dance floor all night long.

The band was born in 2014, emerging from lively, beery Sunday afternoon jam sessions. Although our line-ups and band names have undergone constant evolution (including a serious threat of legal action from the same individual who once challenged The Specials!), we have persistently performed around the Greater Hamilton Area. Our venues include well-known spots such as Stonewalls, Masque, Pheasant Plucker, 33 Bowen, the Grand River Blues Society, as well as numerous private parties and outdoor events. Our current lineup features the talented Gary Rankin on drums and vocals, Doug Elvin holding it down on bass, my wife, Wendy Graham/Keillor, on keys and vocals, and myself, James Keillor, taking on guitar and vocals. We can be found engaging with fans on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, and our official website, jameskeelerband.com. Our first EP, titled “Automatic Vibe!,” was released in August 2022, and we have an exciting new one on the way. We genuinely have a fantastic time making music, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to perform for you soon. Let’s work together to leave the pandemic blues behind us!

— James Keillor