A rootsy and clever singer/songwriter, John Paul Keith is a journeyman arti… Read Full Bio ↴A rootsy and clever singer/songwriter, John Paul Keith is a journeyman artist with a bent toward vintage Fender Telecaster-driven pop/rock twang. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Keith grew up singing in church, learned to play guitar around age ten, and inherited a love of classic rock and blues artists like Chuck Berry and B.B. King from his truck-driving father. By his teens, Keith was a member of the alt-country ensemble the Viceroys, but left the band to pursue a solo career in Nashville. In 2009 he released his debut album, Spills and Thrills, which garnered significant critical praise -- if not commercial success -- for its mix of driving pop, country, and blues that drew comparisons ranging from Buddy Holly to Creedence Clearwater Revival to Booker T. & the MG's.

A move to Memphis in his late twenties brought a renewed creative energy to Keith, who soon formed the expert bar band the One Four Fives with drummer John Argroves and bassist Mark E. Stuart. The group developed a loyal following in Memphis, and tours opening for acts like Lucero and Jack Oblivian drew yet more attention to Keith's vintage rock sound. In 2011, John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives released the Bruce Watson-produced The Man That Time Forgot on Fat Possum. Memphis Circa 3AM, produced by Roland Janes, arrived from Fat Possum in the fall of 2013.

Also in 2013, Keith paired with double-bassist/vocalist Amy LaVere for their country- and rockabilly-influenced project Motel Mirrors. Over the next few years, he stayed busy touring, and playing live. He also contributed to albums by the Bo-Keys, Rich Minus, and Don Bryant. In 2018, Keith returned with both his fourth solo album, Heart Shaped Shadow, and the full-length debut album from Motel Mirrors, In the Meantime.