Keith OBrien (KeyShopProductions)

Hello, my name is Keith O'Brien. I am a Musician, Singer, Song Writer and Music Arranger. I can sometimes be found performing cover versions of songs by other Artists at Open-Mics. Occasionally, I may even sing my original songs in front of a live audience just to see how they react when they hear them. I studied music at Queensborough Community College in the 70's. I first started out my studies in college to become a Music Therapist. While at Queensborough Community College I took Music Theory, Counterpoint, Harmony, Piano, Chorus, Sight Singing and various music history classes. I decided I liked creating music better as I learned more and took more classes around composition. I grew up in Floral Park on the Queens, New York side. Like many musicians just starting out, I played in several bands with other local musicians from my neighborhood.

I played in one band that was a rock group called "Five O'Clock Shadow,” not the a cappella group of the same name. We played instruments and did covers of songs like; Rock And Roll Hoochie Coo, Boney Moroney, Lucky Man, 25 or 6 To Four, Jumping’ Jack Flash and other popular songs of the time. Another band I played in was a Bluegrass band called "Stars And Bars." While in this band we played old bluegrass style chestnuts like Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Fox On The Run and Sitting’ On Top Of The World. During that time, I was inspired by the style of music and I wrote an original song that I called Faithful Love. At the time I lived in Floral Park, I had set up a space in my home to rehearse and record songs, I dubbed this space Key Shop Studio. I would record myself one track at a time using mandolin, acoustic, electric and bass guitars I own. Using the knowledge I gained while studying Music Theory, Harmony and Counterpoint while in college, I wrote arrangements for various orchestral instruments. I then played the parts using a Midi Keyboard in the recording of the orchestral instruments such as Violins, Violas, Cellos, Contrabass, Flutes, Trumpets, Trombones, French Horns, Oboes, Harp, Organ, Piano, Drums and various Percussion instruments as Timpani, Orchestral Bells and many other instruments. If they had the sound I was looking for, I’d use it in a song.

Also while I was attending college, I was active in the community. I was the main guitarist of the Senior Folk Group of the Our Lady of the Snows Roman Catholic Church of North Floral Park, Glen Oaks and Bellerose areas. I had played in a Church sponsored talent show and I was offered a place as a guitarist with Our Lady of the Snows Folk Group. Every Sunday from that September of 1975 through January of 1992, I would play at the Folk Mass every week. I only missed an occasional weekend for Group Retreats or personal special occasions like Weddings of family members that were not near by. While doing this, I was asked by the Pastor to become involved with a Children's Folk Group. I helped the Youth Ministers in teaching the children of the parish some songs that they would then sing at a special Children's Mass once a month. During the Christmas Seasons the Folk Group would be invited to sing in an Advent or Christmas Concert depending on the date selected by the Parish Music Director. The Folk Group and the Children's Folk Group would then do the appropriate Seasonal music.

I have since moved from Floral Park to take up residence in the Long Island town of Brookhaven. While here, I have become active in the Music Ministry of St.Mark’s Roman Catholic Church. I continue to write and arrange cover versions of songs by other songwriters. I have also set up a new Rehearsal and Recording space in my new home to continue recording covers and writing more original songs that I intend to publish. I call my new space Pine Barren Studio.