theKey
Macon, Georgia, United States | SELF
Music
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A local band won a trip to Hollywood and a chance to record at Capitol Records Tower when it topped the competition in a statewide music competition Friday.
Macon-based band theKey won the rock category of the Georgia Lottery All Access Music Search, which was broadcast live from Atlanta.
SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAPH Members of theKey are, from left, Josh Harnevious, Rachel Scott, Jonathan Wisdom, Ryan Cunningham and Clay Scott.
LINK: theKey website
“The experience for us was unlike any other,” said lead singer Clay Scott on Saturday evening while back in Macon reliving the excitement of the previous 24 hours and eating pizza with fellow band members Rachel Scott, Jonathan Wisdom, Josh Harnevious and Ryan Cunningham.
“Today has been full of moments of excitement for us, just celebrating with our friends and family,” he said.
Band members are waiting to find out when they will make the trip to Los Angeles, but the showcase already has proven to be beneficial, allowing band members to make several connections with people in the industry who they wouldn’t have been able to meet otherwise.
As they exited the stage Friday, however, the band members weren’t completely sure they had it in the bag.
“We were confident in our performance, but we weren’t sure how the other groups would perform,” Scott said. “We said a prayer and were excited either way.”
The winner was selected based on a panel of celebrity judges at the live showcase and online voting that took place in the weeks before the show.
Lead singer Clay Scott said theKey won both the online voting and the judges’ vote, so members of the band were thankful for area support.
Juliette rapper Young R also was a finalist, competing in the hip-hop/rap category, but was topped by KidSyc@Brandywine of Savannah.
Hannah Thomas of Covington won the country competition, and the pop/R&B genre was won by Loganville singer Xavier Lewis -- The Antidote to R&B.
To contact writer Caryn Grant, call 744-4347. - Macon Telegraph Newspaper
ATLANTA (AP) - Four Georgia musical acts are heading to Hollywood after winning a Georgia Lottery contest.
The acts were chosen out of a dozen finalists determined after auditions in Atlanta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah last fall. The winners will record a song at the Capitol Records Tower in California.
The winners are: Hannah Thomas of Covington (country), KidSyc(at)Brandywine of Savannah (hip-hop), Xavier Lewis of Loganville (pop/R&B) and theKey of Macon (rock).
Online: http://www.galottery.com/musicsearch
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) - Fox24/ABC16 - News Central GA
Four guys, a girl and new CD...it sounds like the title of a sitcom. Or it might just be a stellar recipe for a catchy quintet with a bent for 90's style melodic pop/rock.
Rachel Peacock wouldn't call out her four male band mates on their hygiene habits, choosing instead to discuss how much fun it is to be the only girl. Apparently that question has been put to them before and she's got her response down pat!
The Key paid a visit to the Scene 13 studio after being one of the bands showcased in the successful BearStock event at Mercer University in April. Their sound is self-described as "modern day 90's", and they admit to drawing on influences like Matchbox 20, New Radicals and the not-so 90's phenomenon that is Cold Play. In fact, all five members gave mad props to the English hipsters, stating a comparison would certainly make their day.
Drummer Josh Harnevious stated that the band's writing style and inspiration tends to come and go in phases, depending on which bands currently make their playlists. Overall the "modern day 90's" moniker fits, because the band has the catchy melodies couched in modern-rock vibe that made such 90's bands as Third Eye Blind, the Goo Goo Dolls and the Gin Blossoms household names.
That same "by phase" style ensures that each song on the Key's latest release, The Waiting EP, has a unique sound that keeps the tracks from running into one another. The driving force and energy of a college band comes through on "Hey", while you get to see the softer, more reflective side of the five-piece on "Talk About You".
The band is currently lining up gigs in hopes of embarking on a full summer touring schedule, trying for dates in penultimate college towns like Athens and Auburn. The new EP can be picked up on Amazon.com, iTunes and Rhapsody. - WMAZ - Macon
Discography
3 Song Promotional Sampler from new album available for free download at www.noisetrade.com/thekeyrock
Single, "What I Want"
"Waiting EP"
The song "Waiting" has gained radio airplay in Macon, GA.
Debut, full length album in final stage of completion.
Photos
Bio
VIEW THEKEY'S RECENTLY RELEASED MUSIC VIDEO HERE! http://youtu.be/YdwmtDloPpk
After winning the statewide “All Access Music Search” presented by the Georgia Lottery on January 14, 2011, theKey took the grand prize trip to Hollywood to record at the Capitol Studios Tower. To beat out thousands of acts in the competition, theKey blended their use of colorful layering, driving beats, catchy melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics that define their signature sound. While working hard in the studio on their debut full length album, theKey has been making valuable connections with music industry professionals that will help them take their music and message to the world. On stage, theKey brings nothing less than a well-produced, engaging performance, showcasing their music that has drawn comparisons to artists like Coldplay and Matchbox 20.
theKey’s many musical influences are blended in a sound that embraces the modern music scene while adding its own flavor reminiscent of the late-90's alternative era. This widely appealing sound has landed theKey opportunities to share the stage with many well-known artists such as:
We the Kings, Yellowcard, The Maine, Cartel, Augustana, Gym Class Heroes, Shane & Shane, Bebo Norman, Meredith Andrews, The Fold, The Wedding, Ocean is Theory, Ohio Avenue
The opposite of your typical rock band, theKey is university educated, classically trained, and fully capable of doing their own taxes! Seemingly endless hours of practice, boundless determination, and a passion for making a difference have created early success for theKey as well as their philosophy on life and performing.
“People often talk about waiting for their ‘big break’ or waiting for things to start going their way. Waiting around isn’t something we plan to do. While patience is a good quality, you’ve got to be involved in the here and now. If you want a reaction, you’ve got to start with an action. I refuse to spend my whole life waiting to truly live.” – says Clay Scott, lead singer of theKey. These ideas sparked the origins of theKey’s first single, “Waiting,” with which theKey hopes to provoke listeners to analyze the origins and roots of their goals and ambitions.
“When the hard times come, when all else comes crashing down around you, when the lights are out and the crowd is gone… what do you have left to stand on? Is there a rock beneath your feet or are you just sinking into the sand? We hope to challenge our listeners through everything we do: our music, lyrics, and even our actions. We want to encourage people to get out there and find out why they’ve been put in this world. Our foundation is in our faith in Jesus Christ and we want to sing about you and me getting up and making a difference.” – reflects Scott.
“I first heard theKey open for Shane and Shane at a large outdoor festival in South Georgia. Their energetic sound and solid harmonies immediately had the crowd on their feet. Once I heard their EP “Waiting”, I knew this new band was really something special.”
-Bob Thompson, Festival Director, Atlanta Fest
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