Local band to open for Reba McIntyre on Fri.
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Local talent, The Keith Swinney Band, will open for country great Reba McIntyre, Brad Paisley and Terry Clark, this Friday, May 13.

"We've opened for several big country music stars, and perform nearly every weekend," noted Swinney, who added, "but, this is really great."

Advertised as the Two Hats and a Red Head Tour, the Keith Swinney Band will be on stage at 6:00 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Center in Noblesville.

The Keith Swinney Band is comprised of Mike Richmond from Cincinnati, keyboard; Jack Addison of Sparta, lead guitar; Josh Taylor, North Vernon, drummer; Ron Pickett of Holton, bass guitar; and lead singer/acoustic guitar, Keith Swinney from Napoleon (formerly from Holton).

According to Swinney, the group is booked for every weekend in 2005. He credits the success of the band to the unique blend of the members. Although the present members have been together only three years, they are all veteran musicians.

Richmond performs with the Cincinnati Orchestra. Addison, who is from London, England, brings his special flair; Taylor is a top-notch drummer, who takes care of promotions and bookings; and Pickett brings years of experience to the group. Swinney has been performing since he was a teenager. His talents have been showcased locally and now his group is known across the country music circuit.

Swinney has had many opportunities in his music career including being offered a record deal at Tootsies Orchard Lounge in Nashville, TN. He was in the top ten in the 2002 Nashville Star Contest in Cincinnati, OH. There were 306 participants in the event - not bad for a country boy!

The band has CD's with the latest one being a collection of music, some live. Swinney noted that the band has a new CD coming out late summer that is untitled.

Upcoming shows include a free concert at Blue Ash, OH, with Kris Cagle on June 4; and the group will be opening for Cross Canadian Ragweed on July 23. The band's schedule can be found at their website at keithswinneyband.com.

Swinney has had the opportunity to open for a number of country music stars including: Neal McCoy, Tracy Byrd, Merle Haggard, Ty Herndon, Wade Hayes, John Michael Montgomery, Lee Ann Womack, Ricky Skaggs, and many more.

Because of Swinney's hectic schedule, organizers of Holton's Music in the Park have been unsuccessful in getting his group to perform there. However, Swinney says one day he'll have an opening, and looks forward to belting out country and class rock tunes in his old "stomping grounds."

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Pictured from left are members of The Keith Swinney Band: Mike Richmond of Cincinnati; Jack Addison of Sparta; Keith Swinney of Napoleon (formerly of Holton); Josh Taylor of North Vernon and Ron Pickett of Holton. The band will be opening at the Verizon Wireless Center in Noblesville this Friday, May 13, for Reba McIntyre, Brad Paisley, and Terry Clark. The band is booked every weekend for the rest of the year. Their schedule can be accessed at their website at: keithswinneyband.com.