KGW news channel 8 came out to interview Keegan and film a bit of soundcheck for their Live @ 7 news segment. Check it out!
http://www.kgw.com/thesquare/Keegan-Smith-and-the-Fam-at-Mount-Tabor-Mon...

Portland musician tapped for Sustainable Oroville movie sound track
February 28th, 2011 8:33 pm ET

A Northwest band has been chosen to write the sound track for the movie/documentary Green Light: The Sustainable Oroville Project.

It will be written by Portland musician Keegan Smith.

The movie will be framed around the concept of a small town--in this case, Oroville, Washington--that draws together entrepreneurs, enlightened city planners, local businesses, and farmers--to propose and design ways to be a sustainable and energy efficient community—without any direction or involvement from the federal government.

A major component of the story is the installation of a canola seed crushing plant, with contracts from local farmers to grow the seed.

According to Keegan Smith and the Fam’s web site--the band is an eclectic mix of musical heavyweights, producers, and bandleaders from the Northwest's thriving music scene. The fundamental instrumentation of the Fam is comprised of: Tyrone Hendrix (drums), Chris Chard (bass), Josh Wuerth (guitar), and Justin Dodge (keyboards/producer). However they frequently feature all-star performers on various other instruments such as brass and percussion.

Kelsey Smith, Keegan’s sister, manages the band. Kelsey is very close to her brother and she considers the band to be part of a close knit family.

“Keegan is an amazing story teller,” said Kelsey. “He connects with people by walking and dancing through the crowd. It energizes his audience and perpetuates a sense of familiarity that makes them feel at home."

In the case of the Sustainable Oroville movie, the message is green industry and sustainable living.

The Keegan Smith and the Fam band hooked up with the Sustainable Oroville project through a mutual friend, Kevin Pile, of EcoTrain Media Group, because they had been in discussions about the project for a year.

Keegan, teamed with his producer and keyboarder, Justin Dodge, is a perfect match to write the sound track for Green Light. The Keegan Smith Hybrid Album was written over a two month period from the family’s mountain cabin. Keegan stayed there during the time and his band and other artists, who endorse the same environmental perspectives, were a part of the project.

Smith drives a Honda Civic Hybrid and made sure the packaging material for the album was mostly made of recyclable and biodegradable products. A video of cabin life was shot and was debuted with music from the album at the Mission Theater in Portland in 2008.

“It changed the perspective on how to make music,” said Keegan by telephone. “The album brought a lot of artists together all in one place. I want to support as many people as possible, who share the same vision. It’s my purpose and I’m willing to go to India and work with Choice Solar, or anywhere else to build a bridge of communication about solar, hydrogen, and sustainability. I want to go global, with a local perspective.”

A YouTube video listed on Blue Rain Productions showcases music by the Fam. It includes brief interviews with members of the band.

“Our mission is to motivate, create, and inspire communication and togetherness through the harmony of music," said Smith in the video.

The musician is emerging as a local favorite, after a 10 year career. In 2010, Keegan won Male Artist of the Year for the second year in a row.

His popularity comes from great music, talented band members, and remarkable guest artists. But it also comes from his “hellos and hugs” persona. Smith doesn’t hesitate to slip into the audience and talk to people. He gives them hugs and remembers their names. It has made some people feel as if they are part of the performance and they enjoy being embraced and appreciated.

“I love people,” Keegan said. “I am considering touring in my RV to spread the word (environmental responsibility) for the future of my daughter, my wife, and my family. I don’t want to be just ‘hey, look at me and my music’. I want it to mean something and music is my way of getting that message out there.”

The movie/documentary has already shot footage of the canola crushing plant that has been assembled in Oroville..

It will be the next generation film on the level of “An Inconvenient Truth” and the sound track will be a vital part of packaging a new global message.

Keegan Smith and the Fam website

Keegan Smith Facebook page

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Portland musician tapped for Sustainable Oroville movie sound track - National environmental policy | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/environmental-policy-in-national/portland-musici...

The band was featured on KOIN channel 6 television show "Studio 6" on Wednesday, July 28th. Click on the link to watch the performance of their song 'Smile' live! Keegan Smith and the Fam - KOIN Studio 6"

KGW came out and did an interview with the band at Club 915, then took some footage of the soundcheck. The show is called "Live at 7" and it aired Monday night before our show. Be sure to check it out on their website!
http://www.kgw.com/thesquare/Keegan-Smith-and-the-Fam-rock-Club-915-9273...

Keegan Smith & the Fam has been selected to perform at the 9th annual Florida Music Festival in Orlando! Named one of the ‘Top Music Festivals’ by SPIN Magazine, the 9th Annual Florida Music Festival is the largest music networking event in the southeast. This year's festival is set to break records with more than 200 music industry representatives, 250 bands and solo artists, and over 25,000 music fans in attendance.

Past signed headliners playing the FMF include Third Eye Blind, Flogging Molly, Less Than Jake, Buckcherry, Mofro, Filter, Everclear, members of Matchbox Twenty, Creed and other major acts. Past unsigned showcasing artists include Taylor Swift, The Academy Is, Flyleaf, Black Tide, Manchester Orchestra, Between the Trees. For more details on the Florida Music Festival, please visit their website @ www.FloridaMusicFestival.com

“On the list of ‘Festivals you must attend’ in Spring/Summer Festival season!”
SPIN Magazine

“Named on of the Top 25 Music Festivals in the Southeast!”
Weekly Planet/ Tampa • Creative Loafing/ Atlanta

Keegan and the band would like to take a moment to thank everyone along the route of our tour in Montana for all their support and encouragement for our music. We really enjoyed meeting and hanging out with everyone and had a ton of fun while we were there. You guys all helped make it a very enjoyable and successful tour.

We would like to especially thank Mike Bengala for all of his hard work and supportive efforts for the shows. Mike treated us like royalty and we could not be more thankful.

A special thank you as well to Mike Frese for his efforts in Bozeman!

The tour was so successful that we were able to immediately book a follow up tour for late April practically before we even got home. Thanks again everyone, we'll see you soon!

Keegan was interviewed in "The Columbian", a mainstream Clark County newspaper for his already mounting accomplishments in 2010. Check out the full article here.

Thanks to all of your support, Keegan took home the award for "Male Artist of the Year" for the second time in a row at this year's 2010 Portland Music Awards.

Join us this weekend for a huge Halloween bash at the Blitz Ladd Sports Bar. Costume prizes, pumpkin carving contest, and the best live show in the Western Hemisphere! Keegan and the fam will keep everyone dancing from 9pm until 2am, so don't miss it. Great food, dancing, good times. Don't miss it! $10 cover

Blitz Ladd
2239 SE 11th ave
Portland, Oregon
97214

Check out this quote from the 'Cowell Factor' with Simon's big brother, Tony Cowell. The show airs exclusively each weekend on the Fame Games Global Breakthrough Chartshow.

"I’ve broken into The Fame Games Talent Bank and before I’m arrested by the major label police, I’m gonna let loose Keegan Smith and the Fam with their song Fresh Air. You’ve got a lot going on that I like Mr Smith - there’s a few hints of Jason Mraz - but it sounds like you were doing this first and better. Diggin a bit deeper - as I do…I also found your song Smile. I like you Mr Smith - a lot."

To read more reviews and fan mail from Fame Games, or add your own comments, check out http://www.meermusic.com/keegansmith

We got a fantastic write up in the Oregonian this week. Titled "Keegan Smith's hugs, hellos bring in the fans", author Jason Simms gives a pretty insightful look into our Monday night shows at the Candlelight. He thoughtfully describes the atmosphere and interviews fans and random members of the audience. Check out the full article here.

Jason also mentions us in his blog, describing Monday nights as an "out of control dance party".

The record release show at the Bagdad Theater was a huge success! The venue was sold out shortly after the doors were opened. Sorry if you didn't make it through, we'll be sure to get a bigger venue next time. Keegan and the Fam have a live DVD of the show in the works right now - we'll keep you posted about how it's coming along. For now, enjoy this 10 minute audio clip of the show, hot off the mixing board.

Tune the dial to 101.9FM this Wednesday (4/22) during the 9:00PM hour and hear a song from Keegan Smith's new album, Special Delivery. You can also listen on-line at www.KINK.fm

KINK's Local Music Spotlight page.