Welcome to the Cyber Home of Johnny Kee
Johnny Kee has been singing and playing music ever since he joined the children’s choir at the old North Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee over 65 years ago. He got his first guitar as a Christmas present in the late ’50s. His first music endeavor outside church was in joining with a friend to create a folk group called the Bayou Brothers in 1962, in the heart of the so-called “folk music revival”.
Over the years, Johnny’s love for music has never died, but has become especially strong over the couple decades or so after joining the Praise Band at the Pineda Presbyterian Church (Melbourne). He is now working as a solo performer, collaborating with other local musicians when the opportunities arise, and recording in his home studio. Since the COVID crisis, he has been especially interested in creating videos featuring his music.
What kind of music does Johnny Kee play?
Johnny draws heavily from the folk, gospel, spirituals, and blues he learned over a half century ago, now rearranging many of the songs from back then to enhance the instrumental parts and/or add a more bluesy sound.
Johnny is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, working the 6- and 12-string guitars in with Native American flute, 5-string banjo, and autoharp. Native flutes, the latest addition to this list, were the result of also being the flute maker at Turtle Mound Flutes. With but one short exception (the final chorus on Joshua, played on a little High Spirits pocket flute), he made all of the flutes you hear on his recordings and in his live performances.
Where can I get Johnny Kee music?
Johnny’s two commercial CDs, Echoes From the Trail and Johnny Kee, Storyteller, are now available. Get all the details on our CD Albums web page, including information about ordering your copy (or copies). Downloads are also available from Amazon Music. There’s a third CD in the works, currently identified as Johnny Kee, Folk Interpreter, with more of the old songs worth remembering.
Can I follow Johnny Kee on social media?
Johnny maintains an active presence on Facebook. To keep up with all his news, visit his Facebook fan page (click on the banner image above, or go to www.facebook.com/Johnny.Kee.Music) and “like” him there.
Johnny also has a channel on YouTube, where you can find his videos ready for you to click and view. Click on the banner image above, or go to www.youtube.com/@Johnny_Kee, and while you’re there, please consider “subscribing” to his channel. He won’t overwhelm you with new videos, but you might enjoy his occasional new ones when they do become available.
