Charlene Gordon Keyes

Charlene Gordon Keyes was born in West Union, Ohio in 1958. From an early age she was introduced to music growing up in a family from Eastern KY where music was played and enjoyed often. In the early 60's she began singing on her dad's gospel quartet radio show in Peebles, Ohio early on Sunday mornings before church services were held. She studied classical piano for 7 years, plays accoustic guitar and in her 20's fell in love with the autoharp, an old time instrument with the appalachain hertiage roots she shared. In the early 80's she appeared on the very 1st You Can Be A Star show, and several other TV shows on what used to be called The Nashville Network. In 1984 she was chosen to appear as a HEE HAW's New Star where she performed her original song written for the autoharp called "Listening To The Harp Strings Ring" https://youtu.be/AKY8kB-CLV0 Charlene was also a proud member of the long running WWVA Wheeling Jamboree beginning in 1984 with a win in their annual STARQUEST competition where she opened shows during the 80's for country music legends Bill Monroe, Keith Whitley, George Jones, Loretta Lynn and many others. She also performed at WWVA's 70,000 fan plus attended outdoor music annual event Jamboree In The Hills held in St. Clairsville, Ohio. In 1986 Charlene released her 1st music video Log Cabin Christmas filmed on location in her Northern Kentucky hometown of Walton, Ky and surrounding areas. This self penned song aired on CMT often thru the years, was syndicated in 230 US markets, even making MTV in the 80's as she was a true video pioneer with hardly any other Christmas videos released at that time. The video was also picked up by the Armed Forces Network and seen worldwide anywhere the US had a military base. The Christmas video has been added to her You Tube channel Charlene Keyes as well as her 1984 Hee Haw performance and the Pickin' At The Paradise show where she again featured the autoharp on Mother Maybelle Carter's Wildwood Flower https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N3V5RZFXcA. Charlene has continued her music thru performances & songwriting and now resides in Florence, KY with husband Joseph. In November 2020 she joined 8 talented country music artists featured on Megalith Nashville Records. Just placed the 1st order with The Autoharp Store as her two 21 chord Oscar Schmidt harps need a few updates. So glad to find them! For all those who enjoy the autoharp and classic country music please visit her Facebook Music page: www.facebook.com/CharleneGKeyes for vintage music clips with Brand New music released soon! & Drop by and say Hello anytime :)