Keith Prairie – Bio
Folk music got its hooks into Keith early on playing guitar and singing in high-school. For decades his fans have enjoyed his rich voice and mastery of the hammered dulcimer and guitar. He has a wide-ranging repertoire, from instrumental folk tunes, classical, to silly covers and his own compositions.
Hear songs that have a story and can bring a tear or a laugh. Tunes that lead feet to tap and dance or souls to move to meditation. Bring your heart, your spirit, and your funny bone.
Keith started playing guitar in the 1970’s with influences of Bob Dylan, Paul Simons, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchel, Peter Paul and Mary, and Ian and Sylvia during the era of burgeoning folk and protest songs with a touch of Pete Seeger, and Malvina Renolds thrown in. And let’s not forget The Limelighters, The Kingston Trio and Tom Lehrer.
He first heard a hammered dulcimer at a coffee house in Bar Harbor played by Alexandra Brown in 1975 and the next summer he was building one. Keith’s hammered dulcimer influences have been Bill Spence, John McCutcheon, Howie Mitchell, Trapezoid, (Sam Rizzetta), Bob Zents, Malcolm Dalgish, and Dorothy Carter, to name a few.
Keith has been performing as a solo, with old friends Nor and Eli Dale who, with Keith, made up the Salem Street Trio early in the 80s and have recently reformed. Keith also performed for several years with ex-wife Cora Ellen Luke. He also performs regularly with friend John Paynter, who plays banjo and tenor ukulele.
Venues have included opening for Portland Folk Club concerts back when Portland had a folk club, entertainment at senior living centers in the Portland area, occasional slots of music for churches, and frequent busking at Farmers Markets in the area. Keith spent a summer as a deckhand and sharing music on the schooner Mercantile out of Camden. He has also provided healing music at the Reiki Tent at Common Ground Fair, and music for the Maine Artisan Bread Fair in Skowhegan and is a regular performer at Men’s Gatherings in Maine.
Located in Southern Maine, Keith is available for concerts, house concerts, jams, song swaps, celebrations, weddings, memorials, lessons, collaboration, and recording.
Be ready for tunes, harmonies, and lyrics to cheer and inspire.
