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stephen
keene
Stephen D. Keene is the youngest son of thirteen children born to Joseph and Wilma Keene on January 11, 1975. His mom is a devout minister and has been for over 40 years. Stephen, who was born and raised in Louisville, KY, grew up singing in church with his siblings. The children considered themselves a "choir" for their mother’s ministry. Stephen felt a passion and a love for music early on in life. In addition to gospel music, Stephen took an almost immediate liking to Motown, rhythm and blues, and the timeless soul music of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. He was a featured soloist at several school functions, including his elementary and middle school graduations. During his high school years at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, Stephen focused on vocal performance. He studied classical music privately with Julie Bohannon, his choir director. Stephen performed in numerous vocal competitions throughout his high school career and was constantly recognized for his exceptional talent. Stephen was selected to the KY All State Chorus in 1991, 1992, and 1993. He was a featured soloist in the 1991 KY All State TTBB Men’s Chorus . During the summer of 1991, Stephen attended the KY Governors School for the Arts. In 1992, he traveled to Europe to perform under the direction of Robert K. Baar with the Kentucky Youth Chorale. Stephen served as choir president and student director during his years at Pleasure Ridge Park and was a featured performer at numerous school functions. The finale of Stephen’s high school career was his participation in the World Scholar Athletes Games Choir, in which he performed with 99 other singers from around the world. The Closing Ceremonies performance featured guest performer and Motown legend, Aretha Franklin, assisted by the choir. Following high school, Stephen’s life would take a major turn. He moved to Murray, KY in 1993 to attend Murray State University on a full tuition Marvin D. Mills Scholarship and a Music Department Scholarship. He continued his career as a performer and majored in Music Education. Stephen studied classical voice with Dr. Randall Black and Dr. Pamela Wurgler. In his collegiate career, he was a member and soloist with the Murray State University Concert Choir, the Murray State University Chamber Singers, and the Murray State University Chorale. Stephen performed with the Kentucky All Collegiate Choir on numerous occasions and was a soloist in 1996. In 1997, Stephen placed 2nd in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Competition. Deciding that he no longer wanted to teach, but rather pursue a career in performance and Arts Administration, Stephen switched his major from Music Education and graduated from Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Degree. Despite all the classical training and vocal technique learned in college, Stephen held on to his strong passion for Motown, classic rock, and blues. His first experience performing with a live band was with the Clarence Dobbins Revue at the Big Apple Café’ in Puryear, TN. Stephen was singing along to the music when the lead singer, Clarence Dobbins came up and handed him a microphone. The band backed Stephen in a very soulful rendition of Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together. Who knew that this 2 minute performance would launch Stephen’s career as a lead singer? Later that evening, Stephen was asked to put a band together to perform a New Year’s Eve Gig. He liked the idea of having an opportunity to perform for a crowd and make a little extra cash while in the process, so he agreed. From this agreement, came the birth of Stephen’s 1st band, Soul Belly. The name was given to Stephen by Blake Ross, a close friend who said, "Stephen, if you ever get in a band you should name it Soul Belly because you have a lot of soul and a big belly." Stephen never forgot this statement and when the members of the band had difficulty choosing a name, he suggested Soul Belly. The band was a growing experience for Stephen, who had never been the front man of a group. Soul Belly played local venues and became a household name in Murray. Through the experience with Soul Belly, Stephen met one of his closest friends and mentors, Michael Dunnagan. Michael was director of Murray Playhouse in the Park Community Theater and he also had a history of touring with bands and playing harmonica. Michael became an ex-officio member of the band and gave lots of input to Stephen. Soul Belly survived for just a bit over two years before the band parted ways due to changing interests and members graduating from college and leaving Murray. Without a band, Stephen and Michael felt a huge void, and there was a strong determination within each of them to find something new. Time passed and Stephen and Michael took on lots of work together as Director and Musical Director of shows at Playhouse in the Park. When Michael mentioned the community theater doing a production of Little Shop of Horrors, Stephen knew this would be his opportunity to shine. Stephen had played the role of Audrey II (the plant) in college and was very eager to reclaim the role at Playhouse in the Park. Stephen found himself cast as Audrey II, along with being musical director for the show. A major task of the musical director would be to put together a live band. Stephen invited two friends to play for the show, Drew Collins and Billy Cramer. This invitation would prove to be beginnings of Michael and Stephen’s greatest musical accomplishment, The Murr-Vegas All Stars. "The formation and cultivation of this band was not easy. We had some good times and some very rough times. But ultimately, music has always prevailed. And that’s what is most important." Stephen and Michael worked as lead singer and harmonica player of the Murr-Vegas All Stars as well as booking agents. "In the beginning, there was lots of difficulty finding the band’s voice. Where did we want to go? What did we want to do? Who were we trying to please?" Stephen had made several connections through his previous band as did Michael. This time, with a new intensity and a renewed strength, Stephen was determined to keep himself focused on the best in music and he prayed the band would follow. "Its not easy being the front man because you feel ridiculed by the crowd. Its not easy pleasing eight different members of a band either. But somewhere down the road you gain respect and trust. And that’s what makes it all worth it!" The Murr-Vegas All Stars would prove to be the greatest turning point in Stephen’s life. Musically, he finally realized his passion for soul and emotionally, Stephen grew as a leader and organizer of a great conglomeration of style, technique, and musicianship. "Murr-Vegas speaks for itself. The music tells our story. Times change, people change, but music remains." In 2003, the death of Michael Dunnagan nearly crushed Stephen. "I didn’t know if I could go on. He was my roommate, brother, friend, confidant, mentor, but I knew he needed me to carry on. He always said to me that if he died, ‘carry on and be happy. I’ve had a good life and I lived it to the fullest. Promise you will do the same.’ So I did." Not a day goes by that Stephen doesn’t think about his old friend, but it often puts a smile on his face. "There were more laughs than tears between Michael and I. And that’s how I know it’s all good. He’s still with me. He’s a guardian, continuously leading me in the right direction." Today, Stephen serves as the lead singer and booking agent for the Murr-Vegas All Stars. He is happier than he has ever been. "This band finally has focus, vision, enthusiasm. I can truly be proud and so can Michael." He resides in Murray, KY with Michael’s oldest daughter, Kelly. He prides himself on the growth and cultivation of the band. "And when there is nothing left to say, just hum a song. When there is nothing left to do, sing within your heart. When words fail, music speaks."
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For booking information, please contact Stephen
Keene at [email protected]. |
