BAND MEMBERS
Larry Keel – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals | Winston Mitchell – Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals

GENRE
Progressive Bluegrass, Alt Country, Americana

CONTACTS
Booking: Katie Kirchner | 616-843-7188 | Katie@rockwoodbooking.com

Email Team Keel: Management | Office | Marketing

WEB LINKS
Tour Dates  |  Facebook  |   Instagram  |  YouTube  |   SoundCloud  |  Spotify 

BIO
Larry Keel is an award-winning innovative flatpicking guitarist and singer/songwriter hailing from Appalachia and currently residing in historic Lexington, VA. Raised in a musical family steeped in the mountain culture of the region, Keel began from an early age to forge a distinctive sound, taking bluegrass and classic country music and infusing those styles with a rock edge and elements of improvisational jazz. The Larry Keel Duo, consisting of Larry Keel on acoustic guitar and Winston Mitchell on mandolin and acoustic guitar, are masters of their instruments, drawing heavily from Keel’s catalog of original music and imaginative interpretations of choice covers. 

Winston's love for music started with his dad who was a skilled guitarist, singer, songwriter, and pedal steel player.   Playing mostly electric guitar until his early-20s, he was introduced to the music of Jeff Austin and Yonder Mountain String Band and was immediately captivated by the energy and improvisation coming off of a pile of acoustic bootleg CDs.  After playing guitar in several bands he decided to try out mandolin and immediately was hooked.  With his strongest inspirations deriving from Jeff & Sam Bush’s playing, he worked his way backwards through time to get to the origins of bluegrass. 

One listener likened the experience of watching this act to being backstage while the artists are running tunes, relaxed yet energized, nailing songs while taking musical risks and letting it all hang out. That’s the vibe they bring to the stage, inviting listeners to have fun and be part of the creative process happening before their very eyes and ears.

Stream or buy the new Larry Keel & Jon Stickely EP on your favorite platform! Be on the lookout for more new music releases and plenty of live shows all throughout 2026! Keep up to date by checking out the Larry Keel site at: https://larrykeel.com/

PRESS QUOTES
“Being Kind” single included in No Depression Magazine Best Of playlist July 2024 https://www.nodepression.com/no-depressions-best-of-july-2024-playlist/

“Larry is a living legend who's been bringing people together with his amazing music for many years. His song 'Being Kind' is what the world needs right now - a modern anthem about the power of positivity and gratitude.” - Chris Pandolfi, The Infamous Stringdusters

“I love Keel's song 'Being Kind'.. fun, upbeat and uplifting. Keel brings his own awesome live-show positive energy into this recording, which left me groovin with good vibes!” - Peter Shapiro, Publisher Relix Magazine, Owner Brooklyn Bowl

“Larry Keel has been blazing a trail of acoustic, bluegrass inspired Americana music for years and has come to be celebrated for his lightning fast acoustic guitar work. He makes music that is at times psychedelic, often hard driving, but with an underlying elegance that few artists can balance, let alone master.” - Joe Kendrik, Director of Programming WNCW Radio

“A celebrated flatpicking guitarist and singer-songwriter who has appeared on more than 20 albums...masterful acoustic guitar playing." - American Songwriter

“American Dream is a rallying cry of sorts...it encourages its listeners to find a positive perspective by leaning on their own optimistic instincts. The songs are upbeat, uplifting, and flush with a series of rich arrangements that make the material practically leap from the grooves. It’s bound to make those that hear it happy." - Bluegrass Today

“Whether you’re looking to dig what’s happening out there on the edges of the bluegrass avant-garde, or just wanting to get your buzz on to some astounding music, Larry Keel is a sure bet.” - Eric J. Wallace, C-Ville Weekly

"His songs have a directness and an elegant simplicity. Larry Keel’s dynamic flatpicking is very impressive… (not just) for acoustic guitar aficionados… (his) music has plenty to offer everyone." - Lyric Magazine

“Larry Keel’s music is a revelation. It is a look at what music can be when stripped of preconceptions and when a blend of bluegrass, deep woods psychedelia and moonshine combine” - Eric Rayburn ~ Consider Collective

"Larry Keel is a triple threat... songwriter, guitar player, entertainer. He can do it all. I think what makes Larry so powerful is that he has lived his songs. He's not sitting in a room trying to write the hit of the week, he's writing what's in his heart and on his mind." - Del McCoury

“Larry Keel, the Bluegrass Warrior, has kept the flame of mountain alive with intensity and clarity of singing and fiery guitar picking! Larry and Jenny both have big-ears and wide listening to open their music up to a growing young audience.” - Peter Rowan

“Larry Keel is a true original, be it traditional, progressive, improv- he does it all and with such joy. I love jamming with Keel. Enjoy the music, Larry does.” - Sam Bush

“I've always considered Larry Keel as the Bob Dylan of Bluegrass." - Norris Long, Allegheny Mountain Radio