Keithen Banks Singer Guitarist from Chicago, IL

Keithen Banks is a self taught guitarist and vocal artist who embodies the souls of some of the greatest rock & roll and soul players and singers of our past. His skillful playing and smooth as velvet voice will captivate you from the start. His musical influences include Johnny Taylor, Bobby Womack and Al Green just to name a few. Charming and personable he sings his songs with such emotion that its very easy to relate to. "Success is an attitude" and "Every day is a blessing" are just some of the motto's that he lives by. Having written and produced all of his own songs his talents are immeasurable and mesmerizing to behold. Born in Chicago but raised in a rural area of Mississippi Keithen Banks adored his grandmother and was also highly influenced by her singing in the church choir. She inspired him to join and his own singing in the choir laid the foundation for his southern gospel roots which can be heard throughout his music. His childhood wasn't always easy but his positive mental attitude has always been "just keep going". Keithen Banks young adulthood brought him back to the city of Chicago where he saw someone playing the guitar in the subway one day and decided he would teach himself to do the same. Diligently practicing for hours upon hours in the underground subway, the hardworking determined Keithen was focused on entertaining people while honing his craft. After being in the navy for a few years his discipline was easy to come by. Local media took an interest took an interest in him but his personal life began to decline. Keithen Banks became homeless and lost the two people closest to him, his mother and grandmother in a short period of time. While experiencing his darkest days and doing things opposite to that which he truly believes in he stumbled upon and organization called "Inner Voice" which helps veterans and homeless people. They provided shelter and services that assisted him with his current situation as well as helping him deal with his memories of childhood sexual abuse. He credits them with being his saving grace and always thanks the Lord for his amazing grace. Through hard work and perseverance Keithen Banks believes that "this too shall pass" and that "life is supposed to be hard not just easy because its all a part of a process". His debut album "Out of The Past" was released in April 2017 and has been a success online and offline selling them at his gigs. He hopes to provide healing trough his music and the messages they contain. He was awarded the "Black Excellence Award for R&B" by the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago and played a role as a musician on the popular TV show Empire alongside Terrence Howard and Snoop Dog. The charismatic Keithen Banks is currently on tour but can found playing weekly at the world famous House of Blues in Chicago. Desiring for his music to be heard on a national and international level Keithen plans to visit Europe and play some gigs over there in the summer 2017. But first he plans on releasing his second album in the spring of 2017 to his dedicated fans who are greatly anticipating it. Rock & Soul will forever be his style of music and passion can be felt in your bones on every song he makes. It would my pleasure and an honor to perform for you. Thank you for the opportunity. Respectfully, Keithen Banks