Christian Keyes: Jack of All Trades

You know how it is when you keeping seeing a familiar face, and how its even better when that face is a gorgeous one. Being in media that happens a lot, it may be that model who’s in all the ads, or the guy in all the videos, or a unknown singer featured on all the hot tracks but, whenever you see them, you think “who is that, they’re everywhere and they fine.” Well when I think of a cutie that’s everywhere these days, from stage plays to video sets I think of a few names, but one stands out, Christian Keyes.

Clutch: When did you get your big start in acting?
Christian: My first big break came when I was blessed with the chance to tour nationally with the stageplay “All Men Can’t Be Dogs” with, A.J. Johnson, Regina Belle, Carvin Winans, John Gray and a bunch of other really talented people. That play led to me getting other work and it allowed me to develop supporters and fans on a national basis.

Clutch: How did you catch the attention of Tyler Perry?
Christian: I was the lead in a nationally touring with a play called “Not A Day Goes By”, and we swung through Atlanta and he came to see the show one night. After the show, we talked and he asked me if I would like to be the lead in Madea Goes To Jail. I said Hell Yeah…. We have been working together on and off, ever since.

Clutch: Did you always know you were going to in entertainment, whether through your music or on the big screen?
Christian: I always knew that I wanted to. I thought that music would take off first when I started out, but out of the blue, the acting work really started growing for me. So I took it for the blessing that it was, I put acting first and worked on music when I got free time. I started taking classes and reading every book I could get on acting technique, and the harder I worked at it the more work I got.

Clutch: What can listeners expect from your upcoming album?
Christian: They are gonna get some, classic love songs ( “I Know”, “Please Forgive Me”, “Precious”), some sexy but classy bedroom music (”So Sweet”, “Boots On”, “Whatever U Like”), some personal songs, songs from actual experiences (”Home”, “Gonna Love U”, “You Said”) and some hot club joints (”I’m Single”, “Bartender”, “Personal”). 16 songs in all including 2 remixes.

Clutch: Who are some of the artists you look up to?
Christian: I could never name them all, but Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Lionel Richie, Babyface, Maxwell, Alicia Keys, Ledisi, Cheryl Pepsi Riley, and so many other great artists.

Clutch: Are you bringing in any new artists to your label, Fahrenheit Music Group.
Christian: Eventually, I would like to, but for right now, I am just going to focus on making this cd “PERSONAL” the best it can be.

Clutch: Have you been working simultaneously while recording the new album?
Christian: While I was recording over this last year, I did the last leg of Tyler Perry’s “What’s Done in the Dark”, where I was “Dr. Harris”. The dvd for the play came out in March of this year. I also was blessed to be in several commercials, as well as music videos with Ashanti (”The way that I Love You”), Ledisi (”In the Morning”), Keri Hilson (”Energy”) and Joe (”Why Just Be friends”). I will also be on “House Of Payne” later this fall.
>Clutch: One could say that you’re a Jack of All Trades; not only are you an actor and musician, you’ve also written a few screenplays. Which hat do you feel most comfortable in?
Christian: Actually, all of them. I believe God gives us talents for us to use to make our lives better. And I don’t want to be 60 or 70 wishing I would have at least tried to do some of these these things. I am going to use every gift ant skill God gave me to make my son’s life better, my life better and when I find one, my wife and whatever kids we have, better.

Clutch: You’re sort of a sex symbol (Ebony’s 50 Most Eligible Bachelor’s, Jet Calendars, etc). What do you think about that?
Christian: I certainly appreciate the love and support from the magazines and the fans, but being a sex-symbol isn’t important to me. I stay in shape for work (music and film), and so I can keep up with my 5 year old son, who never gets tired. I am just a regular dude, with a cool job. I’m down to earth, silly as hell and passionate about anything I do, work or play.

Clutch: So, what’s next for Christian Keyes?
Christian: What’s next? Well, besides this cd being well received and doing well. I have a few films I am looking at that shoot this fall and this winter, and lord willing a TV show. Who knows? Whatever God decides to bless me with next… Fans can reach me at www.myspace.com/christiankeyes1 or www.christiankeyes.com. These two are my only real pages, everything else is fake.