Barry Keenan

Artist Information

Biography

Barry Keenan has a lifetime career as a singer/songwriter. He started recording professionally at the age of 15. By the time he turned age 19, he had his first major publishing deal in New York and has been a published songwriter by such notable companies as Warner/Chappell, Universal, All Nations Music, Criterion Music and Peer/Southern Music. He currently is published by East Of Sideways Music in Beverly Hills, CA.

As a recording engineer, Keenan has owned and operated two commercial recording studios in the Los Angeles area during the 1970’s and 80’s. He has worked on the recorded music of such notable recording artists as Beck, Warren Zevon, Sting, Devo, Pantera, No Doubt, The Goo Goo Dolls and The Cranberries to name only a few.

As a producer, he received his first major break when Miles Copeland (The Police, IRS Records) hired Keenan to produce Adam Ant in 1984.

He is the recipient of The Arts For Humanities Award issued at The New World Festival in December of 1983.

Keenan was awarded SESAC’s highest honor in Nashville for his songs in the motion picture Kickboxer starring Jean Claude Van Damne. Kickboxer was the biggest selling, #1 worldwide, box office movie for SESAC that year.

As a recording artist, he has received commercial radio play coast to coast from stations like KROQ and KLOS in Los Angeles to WCOZ in Boston. Programmed on Sirius Satelite's Spirit Channel, Keenan was in heavy rotation going on to be classified as certified gold. He also had a first right of refusal recording deal with A & M Records.

In December of 2009, after spending a year on the Songs Of the Times Music Chart hosted by Neil Young on Neil Young’s “Living With War Today” website, Keenan reached the #1 position with his social awareness song entitled, “Our Comfortable Lives”. The song remained at the #1 position for an astonishing 62 weeks.

“Our Comfortable Lives” was also picked up in May 2011 by Editions-belin, fr, a book publishing company located in Paris, France. Keenan was designated his own chapter in the book, a college edition textbook entitled, La Chanson Dans La Classe. The book is designed to assist the learning of the English language in the classrooms of French speaking countries and is distributed accordingly. Other artists having song lyrics included in this text are, Neil Young, Woody Guthrie, Eminem, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Paul Stookey, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Freddie Mercury.

Keenan has headlined some of the premier stages in Los Angeles with his band including The Roxy, The Whiskey, and The Troubadour. As a soloist, he has performed continuously across the United States. During the 1980's, Fignewtons, a night club in Pasadena, CA built an entire room around Keenan to showcase his performances in which he headlined nightly. This engagement lasted 4 years. This was a large, 2 room venue. The other room was headlined by Second City Comedy Review which showcased the talents of John Candy, Eugene Levy, Betty Thomas, and Debra Harmon. Keenan started performing at 15 years of age around the New England area opening for Tommy James & The Shondels, BJ Thomas, The Classics 4 and The Shirelles at the height of their popularity. As a soloist, Keenan was a huge draw at The Brothers 4 , the largest, premier night club on Cape Cod. He headlined the club for 2 years.

Instrumentation

Barry Keenan; multi-instrumentalist/vocalist, engineer & producer

Live Performances: Soloist: Singer/Songwriter; acoustic 6 string gtr, acoustic 12 string gtr, grand piano, harmonica, dulcimer, electric guitar, kurzweil sampler

Also Has a full rock band line up

Discography

"The Knell" - Album, Artist Barry Keenan

"The Woods Of New Hampshire"- Album, Artist Barry Keenan

"Bloodsport" - Motion picture, Barry Keenan recording engineer

"Kickboxer": Motion picture;"Fight For Love" feature song performance including 3 other background song performances. Barry Keenan Songwriter & Recording Engineer

"Streetjustice"- Motion Picture, Barry Keenan Recording engineer

"Kenetic Voyage" - Artist Barbi Benton, Barry Keenan Recording Engineer

"Crimes Of Pleasure" - Album, Artist Barry Keenan

"Another World": "I'm Jealous"- Songwriter Barry Keenan, National TV,

"Passions": "It All Comes Down To You", "Concrete Blues", "Dancin" On A Wire", "Farewell Remembrance",- Artist & Songwriter Barry Keenan, National TV

"Invisible Poet Kings".- Album, Artist Invisible Poet Kings (Barry's Band)

"Big Broken Spoke"- Album, Invisible Poet Kings

"Torch"-Album, Barry Keenan/Invisible Poet Kings

"My Brain" - Album, Artist Barry Keenan

"Our Comfortable Lives"- Single, Artist & Songwriter Barry Keenan

La Chanson Dans La Classe: Text Book. Chapter on Barry's song, "Our Comfortable Lives"

"Contrary To Popular Belief" - Album, Artist Barry Keenan (To be released in 2012)

Links

• MySpace
• Contrary To Popular Belief
• Barry Keenan Official Site

Audio

• Everything's Going To Be Fine
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Everything's Going To Be Fine

Video

Clean White Shirt: Artist, Invisible Poet Kings

Barry Keenan performs his internationally acclaimed #1 LWWT Chart topping song, Our Comfortable Lives at Kulaks Woodshed, N Hollywood, CA

Photo Gallery

Press

• Barry Keenan "Contrary To Popular Belief" [+ Show ]
  

  He's clearly a really talented guy.... at a time where standing out from the crowd (as Barry does) ...He's clearly a really talented guy.... at a time where standing out from the crowd (as Barry does) isn't as popular as it ought to be. I'd love to find a way to help him...
  
  Marc Marot - Chairman Crown Talent & Media Group; Former President Island Records (U2, Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey, Yusef)

• Barry Keenan "Contrary To Popualr Belief" [+ Show ]
  

  "Pure Brilliance! Contrary to Popular Belief is astoundingly original and modern with a deep rooted..."Pure Brilliance! Contrary to Popular Belief is astoundingly original and modern with a deep rooted classic goodness. It speaks of life and death, love and loss, insanity and reason in a way only Barry Keenan can. The songs are poignant and thought provoking. The vocals are breath-takingly beautiful with richness and depth which touches the soul."
  
  
  Michelle Williams, Independent Music Journalist
  Michelle's Music Magazine
  Kamakazemusic.com
  

• Barry Keenan "Contrary To Popular Belief" [+ Show ]
  

  “My honest impression of your music is that it's excellent. I have nothing bad to say about it.” ...“My honest impression of your music is that it's excellent. I have nothing bad to say about it.”
  
  “"Barry Keenan is an inspired songwriter with uplifting melodies and stunning vocal melodies.
  
  10 out of 10."”
  
  - James Moore, Rock Jouirnalist/Critic, "Your Band Is A Virus"

• Barry Keenan "Contrary To Popular Belief" [+ Show ]
  

  "Just really down to earth good." ..... I really like this song ("Everything's Going To Be Fine")..."Just really down to earth good." .....
  
  I really like this song ("Everything's Going To Be Fine"). Evokes memories of a simpler time. The songwriting is strong and the melody is pleasant. I would really like to include this artist among those I recommend to festival buyers for 2012
  
  Frank Beaty
  Ceo/President Beaty Four Entertainment
  

• Invisible Poet Kings "Clean White Shirt" Endorsement [+ Show ]
  

  Reviewer: Sirius Satelite Radio; Invisible Poet Kings ­ "Clean White Shirt"; I love these guys! As t...Reviewer: Sirius Satelite Radio; Invisible Poet Kings ­ "Clean White Shirt"; I love these guys! As the format manager for the Spirit channel on Sirius Satellite Radio, I¹m constantly searching for new music to add to the mix. Artist that will compliment the format and add some spice. Every now and then I¹ll come across something that¹s explosive, exciting and most importantly, a style unlike any other I¹ve heard before that¹s refreshing to the ears and soul. Needless to say I was blown away when I first heard "Clean White Shirt" from the Invisible Poet Kings. Shawn Willms Format Manager for Spirit Sirius Satellite Radio
  

• Invisible Poet Kings Review [+ Show ]
  

  MUSIC CONNECTION Vol. XXIV, No. 18 08/28/00 to 09/10/00 DISK REVIEWS........Page 42 Invisible Poet...MUSIC CONNECTION Vol. XXIV, No. 18 08/28/00 to 09/10/00 DISK REVIEWS........Page 42
  Invisible Poet Kings, Invisible Poet Kings
  Label: Cool Records
  Producer: Barry Keenan
  Summary: Invisible Poet Kings pay tribute to both John Lennon, particularly on the ballad, "There's No Love," and Paul McCartney with quality musicianship..............no one has released a swirling circus atmosphere like this since Supertramp............
  --Tom Kidd
  

• Invisible Poet Kings Review [+ Show ]
  

  Amazon.com: DON'T LET THIS ALBUM BECOME A 'LOST CLASSIC," OCTOBER 25, 2000 Reviewer: A music fan (No...Amazon.com: DON'T LET THIS ALBUM BECOME A 'LOST CLASSIC," OCTOBER 25, 2000 Reviewer: A music fan (Northridge, Ca) Don't you hate it when you come across an album that is so good yet you can't believe it's not being played anywhere on the radio? If you are looking for that kind of album, then THIS IS IT!! The debut album from the Invisible Poet Kings is one of the best "hidden gems" I've come across from a small indie label. This disc has great memorable songs, thought-provoking lyrics & stellar sound that you would normally expect to find on some big-shot major labels. However, the difficult part is how to discribe music so richly textured in it's arrangement without (at the time I write this) the help of audio samples. They can remind you of many different bands in style, yet manage to remain completely fresh. For example, the opening track, "Clean White Shirt," sounds like something Queen would have made if the Beatles had produced them. (In fact, the whole album is a lot like the albums made by those two groups; every track is different in style from the next ala 'Revolver" or "A Night At The Opera.") Another song,"Over & Over/Johnny's Treehouse," starts out like an Eric Carmen poptune before wrapping itself around a massive "Kashmir"-like guitar riff...and that's just the begining!! And "Personal War" is almost like a hard-rock version of a Pink Floyd track!! There really isn't a single bad cut here. Please don't let this album become a "lost classic." I swear you 're going to miss out on some great music.

• Barry Keenan, "My Brain" Review [+ Show ]
  

  Music Connection Vol. XXXll, No.2 01/21/08 to 02/03/08 Album: “My Brain” A self-described “...Music Connection
  
  Vol. XXXll, No.2 01/21/08 to 02/03/08
  
  Album: “My Brain”
  
  A self-described “Brit Invasion Rocker,” Keenan treats listeners to a generous helping of Beatle-osity and backs it up with some very adept work as a musician, singer and producer. “it’s Just Another Day” is full of melodic McCartneyesque flavor, with Keenan’s sweet pop vocals making it all come together. “Somebody Save Me’ might be our favorite tune here; the song achieves a catchy momentum and keeps it going. Keenan’s advanced one-man-band skills could be of great use to music supervisors.
  

• Barry Keenan Interview [+ Show ]
  

  At Bernie Becker Recording in Van Nuys, I found the Invisible Poet Kings hard at work on their secon...At Bernie Becker Recording in Van Nuys, I found the Invisible Poet Kings hard at work on their second release for Cool Records. Together for over six years, the four-piece Poet Kings are a very do-it-yourself conglomerate: two of the members, bandleader and singer/guitarist Barry Keenan and singer/bassist Colin Mitchell, are also freelance engineers who frequently work on projects at Becker Recording.
  
  The studio, which was scheduled for a July move to a new location on
  Burbank’s Magnolia Blvd, features the first Amek Media 51 console to be
  installed in the U.S. The control room also houses a Sadie Classic digital workstation as well as two analog MCI JH24 recorders, a MCI JH10 4-track with 1/2 and 1/4-inch heads, and Westlake BBSM8 monitors. The 112 input Amek, with Eqs and mic pres designed by Rupert Neve, is proving to be a hit with Becker’s clientele.
  
  "It’s as quiet as any board I’ve ever heard in my life," comments Keenan, “and it’s a great sounding console. It has a lot of punch, great lows without the murk. It’s clean sounding. Although I prefer moving fader automation, the VCA’s on this automation work well. Once you get the hang of the digital gates and compressors, they are quick, easy and good sounding. This console does everything I could want from a console. I don’t think I could ever get bored with this board!”
  
  The Poet Kings project is making creative use of a number of formats.
  Original tracks were developed in classic musician home studio style, with MIDI sequenced parts recorded into a Roland MC300 Micro composer, then laid back to two Fostex 8-track decks. That material was transferred to 24 track analog, and live drums were recorded at Hollywood’s Private Island Studios. The band then retired to Becker recording for vocals, sweetening, and mixing.
  
  The two non-engineer members of the group, guitarist Matt Mitchell and
  drummer Alberto "Tico" Grimaldi, (whose day job is professional
  Chippendale-style dancing—check it out, girls!) also sing. Not surprisingly, the Poet Kings are heavy into vocal harmonies. Numerous tracks are required for stacking, with two Sony PCM800 8-track digital machines serving as vocal slave machines. Vocals are dumped into the Sadie system for editing and flying, then sent back to 24-track, so that the project, (hopefully!) ends up on only two 24-track analog machines for mixdown. Obviously, Keenan and Mitchell’s engineering skills are put to good use keeping all the different media in sync.
  
  "Money is always an issue," laughs Keenan, "So we’re really good at working with what we have. And of course we do all our own engineering. This is a band that goes without any money most of the time. But things always seem to happen for us, and we seize every opportunity that comes along."
  
  "We don’t like to depend on others," adds Colin Mitchell. "So it’s great that we don’t need anybody to record us or to fix our gear. It can get a little crazy, though. Like, when all of us are singing, we drag the remote into the live room. I hit ‘record’ then walk over to the mic to sing. It works fine as long as I remember not to wear my squeaky leather shoes!"
  
  The band describes their music as "a cross between Beatles, Queen, and Elvis Costello, with maybe a little Soundgarden thrown in." The first, eponymous, Invisible Poet Kings CD garnered some national airplay and, according to Keenan, was a favorite play of KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, so look for some attention to be paid to the new release, set to be titled, Subterranean Revolution of the Heart.
  ...Maureen Droney-Mix Magazine Journalist
  (article not published)
  
  

Setlist

Original Songs, Occasional cover. Over 20 recorded albums, 1 which was distributed to stores and sold out nationally.

Keenan is venturing out onto the stage in 2012 to promote his forthcoming album, "Contrary To Popular Belief" to be released on May 5, 2012. He has a lifetime of performing live as a soloist and with his rock band.

Basic Requirements

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