Keith Perry

Contemporary country singer/songwriter Keith Perry was born and raised in Gilbert, WV; already an impressive fiddler and mandolin player as an adolescent, at 14 he toured behind Mel Street, three years later making his recorded debut as a member of the gospel group the Revival Spirits. After quitting high school Perry worked as a paramedic before accepting work as a coal miner; in the meantime he played in a series of local bluegrass bands, finally traveling to Nashville in 1987 to pursue a full-time music career. Befriended by former Atlantic Records exec Nelson Larkin, in 1990 Perry landed a songwriting deal with Zomba Music. He signed to Curb in 1995, releasing his debut album Another World a year later; a self-titled effort followed in 1999. ~ Jason Ankeny