Keller Williams has announced the release of his 25th studio album, SPEED, which is due out on November 22nd. The new record features Williams with his Bluegrass outfit, Keller & The Keels, as they reinterpret popular songs by celebrated artists including The Doors, Kacey Musgraves, Fiona Apple, Weezer and more.
Known for their unique musical approach, Keller & The Keels sees Williams on vocals, joined by progressive flatpicker Larry Keel and bassist Jenny Keel. SPEED is the trio’s third collaboration together – following their 2006 release GRASS and 2012’s all-covers album THIEF – and features a combination of originals and covers including Fiona Apple’s “Criminal”, Kacey Musgraves’ “Slow Burn” and Weezer’s “Island In The Sun”, performed in their trademark psychedelic Appalachian bluegrass style. Of the record Williams says, “This project is nothing but fun. At least for us. When we first started playing together, we vowed not to gig too much, so it will be special every time we would pick. This record documents this theory perfectly. One of Larry’s, one of mine and a bunch of covers that chose me. Long live the Keels.” All album pre-orders made via Keller’s online store HERE will be entered into a pre-order contest (details to be announced soon).
Williams recently announced an extensive Fall tour, which includes solo shows and dates with other ensembles. The tour kicks off on September 13th in Charlotte, North Carolina. Keller & The Keels will celebrate the release of SPEED during Williams’ annual Thanksforgrassgiving holiday celebrations, which begin out West at The Ogden Theatre in Denver on November 23, before heading East for two performances in Richmond, VA, and Washington, D.C. He’ll then reconnect with The Keels, as well as his Grateful Grass ensemble featuring The Hillbenders, for two New Year’s Eve shows at Old Rock House in St. Louis. (See a full list of tour dates below).
Keller Williams’ dynamic and unpredictable live performances, along with his ability to seamlessly transition between genres, has earned him a loyal cult following as well as praise from press, including Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, Relix, Acoustic Guitar and more. Williams has upheld his reputation as an artistic force, building a prolific career which spans 24 albums and multiple creative endeavors. After the release of his instrumental album SANS in 2018 and his most recent record Add (out May 31st), SPEED once again showcases Williams’ masterful penchant for collaboration and innovation and proves he’s not planning to slow down any time soon.
September 13 – Charlotte, NC – Sounds of Summer *
September 14 – Lexington VA – Lime Kiln Theater *
September 19-21 – Slippery Rock, PA – Resonance Music & Arts Festival
September 22 – East Aurora, NY – Borderland Music and Arts Festival ^
September 26 – Waterville, ME – Waterville Opera House
September 27 – Brownfield, ME – Stone Mountain Arts Center
September 28 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
October 11 – Eureka Springs, AR – Hillberry “The Harvest Moon Festival” *
October 12 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Roots Revival *
October 17 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern
October 18 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
October 19 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
October 24 – Albany, NY – Skyloft
October 25 – Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theater
October 26 – Holyoke, MA – Gateway City Arts
November 1 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s *
November 2 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony
November 7 – Edmonds, WA – Edmonds Center for the Arts #
November 8 – Bremerton, WA – Admiral Theatre #
November 9 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom #
November 10 – Bend, OR – Tower Theatre #
November 14 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met
November 15 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Ballroom
November 16 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
November 22 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf
November 23 – Denver, CO – The Ogden Theatre @
November 29 – Richmond, VA – The National ~
November 30 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton ~
December 5 – Brevard, NC – 185 King Street
December 6 – Carrboro, NC – The Arts Center
December 27 – Savannah, GA – Southbound Brewing
December 28 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
December 30 – St Louis, MO – Old Rock House *
December 31 – St Louis, MO – Old Rock House %
- with Keller & The Keels
^ with Grateful Grass ft. The Infamous Stringdusters and Oteil Burbridge
@ with Grateful Grass, Keller & The Keels, Love Canon
% with Grateful Grass ft. The Hillbenders
~ with Keller & The Keels, Lindsay Lou
