The very beginning of emerging country music singer-songwriter Raleigh Keegan‘s life sounds like it was pulled straight from the lyrics of a classic country ballad. The Ohio native was born within the confines of the Columbus State Penitentiary where his biological mother was doing time for drug abuse. A few days later, Keegan was adopted and raised within a large extended family just outside of Cincinnati.
Growing up, Raleigh was the only member of the brood with any sort of musical inclination. “My birth father played guitar – that’s about all I know of where my talents come from,” the artist explains.
After graduating from Georgetown College and working as a personal trainer, Raleigh soon heard Nashville beckoning him to pursue his musical ambitions.
“I’d sold my house to pay for my first record – I’d done everything I could from Lexington, Kentucky. It was time to move forward,” Keegan shares about his decision to relocate to Music City in November 2017.
He began writing, landing sessions with Jason Matthews (Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Trace Adkins), Will Nance (George Strait, Brad Paisley, Joe Nichols) and more. Though he takes inspirational cues from Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Billy Joel and Tom Petty, Raleigh keeps his sound as organic as possible. “I like a mix of old and new – I like to stay somewhere in the middle. Bringing elements of old and new country together, with a bit of soul,” he adds.
These elements are best showcased on his latest single, “Lookin’ Like That” off of his EP One of These Days, which dropped in January. “I don’t want to be a surface level writer. With the EP, it’s challenging mainstream country. I want my music to be a bit more authentic,” the rising star reflects. “With me, what you see is what you get. It’s not over-produced, it’s not under-produced. I’ve always just done what comes naturally to me. It’s who I am.”
Check out the official music video for “Lookin’ Like That” below!
“I’m really excited for this video to finally be out! The response from fans has been incredible and just gets me so excited for what’s to come!” Keegan quips.
Share this new artist with other country music fans and catch Raleigh out on the road!
Fri, AUG 24 Saddlebags Savannah, GA
Sat, AUG 25 Lost Dog Tavern Atlanta, GA
Fri, AUG 31 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Panama City, FL
Sat, SEP 01 Tin Roof Birmingham Birmingham, AL
Sat, SEP 08 Lexington Green Lexington, KY
Thu, SEP 13 Tin Roof Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach, SC
Fri, SEP 14 Tin Roof Columbia, SC
Sat, SEP 15 Tin Roof Charlotte, NC
Fri, SEP 21 Austin City Saloon Lexington, KY
Sat, SEP 22 Baxter’s 942 Louisville, KY
Fri, SEP 28 Red Rock Saloon Milwaukee, WI
Sat, SEP 29 Derringers Cedar Falls, IA
Fri, OCT 12 Nash Vegas Columbia, MO
Sat, OCT 13 Skooters Roadhouse Shorewood, IL
