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Press Contact: Steve LaBate – stevelabate@babyrobotmedia.com
PRAISE FOR THE REAL BILLY KEANE
“The tone of Billy’s voice—it’s calming. No matter what he’s saying, Billy makes me feel like everything is going to be alright, which is a really nice thing to feel right now.” – Sarah Lee Guthrie
“Billy Keane shines a beacon of hope in these difficult times. His voice cries out in hopeful pain to never give up and it gives me a good feeling.” – Mark Miller (Garth Brooks, John Prine, Paul Simon)
PRAISE FOR THE WHISKEY TREATY ROADSHOW
“Defiant and driven, laced with everything from harmonica (from Arlo Guthrie!) to roadhouse-worthy guitar solos.” – Rolling Stone
“Something truly unique in the Americana space.” – Relix
“Has the fingerprints of the legends who inspired the band all over it while staying true to the topical songwriting that has become a stable of the band.” – American Songwriter
“Melodies and choruses designed to fire up any crowd.” – Folk Radio UK
“A combination of that veteran savvy, but with a newcomers’ kinetic energy, which results in the album’s cathartic feeling” – No DepressionThe Real Billy Keane – “Never Give Up”
Western Massachusetts singer/songwriter The Real Billy Keane, a founding member of Americana group The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, is preparing to release his latest single “Never Give Up” April 14. The song—an anthemic ode to strength and solidarity in these trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine—was written and recorded in a flash of inspiration just as the nation was ordered to shelter in place.
With The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow and as a solo artist, Keane has been covered by Rolling Stone, Relix, American Songwriter and No Depression, and has shared bills with Kris Kristoferson, Trampled by Turtles, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Indigo Girls, The X Ambassadors, the Gin Blossoms, Los Lobos and more.
“We’re all in seclusion, but we need to stick together and make good through these situations,” Keane says. “I want to rally people in a way that’s positive.”
The song’s instantly catchy musical foundation ably carries Keane’s aching and soulful melody. And the chorus demands to be sung en masse as it shines brightly and defiantly in the face of tribulation. “I know we’re strong enough,” Keane sings. “Let me hear you say no / I will never give up.”
Keane was discovered by the Berkshires’ first family of music, Kim and James Taylor, and recently opened for ‘90s power-pop sensations the Gin Blossoms to a sold-out crowd. Keane deftly moves from Americana ballads to indie-rock anthems, but the key to his approach is to just sing about things that are most important to him (and hopefully all of us): freedom, love and peace.
As a member of The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, Keane was an integral part of the group’s debut album Band Together, released in January 2020, and featuring Wilco’s Pat Sansone on bass and ex-Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman. The collective of songwriters—Keane, Tory Hanna, David Tanklefsky, Greg Smith and Chris Merenda—has toured all across the nation, performing at festivals like Freshgrass at MassMoca, The Kate Wolf fest (at Hog Ranch Farm in California) and selling out venues across the country.
Keane has developed a strong reputation writing protest songs and carrying forward the folk tradition of creating socially relevant music. “Close To The Edge”—a moving tribute to the contemporary American struggle with racism and hatred—brought hope and peace to many during the aftermath of the terrible events at Charlottesville in 2017, and Keane’s Women’s Rights anthem, “Hey Lady”, along with its deeply moving music video, received critical praise after its November 2019 release. The Real Billy Keane is currently prepping for his debut album, slated for release in early 2021.
To set up an interview with The Real Billy Keane, or get your hands on press passes, advance music, hi-res photos, album art or videos, contact Baby Robot Director of Publicity Steve LaBate.