Singer Archives - Keith Shields

The Singer and You

Key of Zed, the duo of Mike Charko and Keith Shields, has just released a new original single. For fans of Blue Rodeo and a few other bands, you will recognize the references to a few other songs in the lyrics. See how many you can catch. (At a later date I will release an annotated…

Marc Martel, The Impersonator

Marc Martel is one of those guys for whom I have the greatest of respect. He is talented beyond the level of many in the music industry and has made music with a diverse group of people. This Christmas, I am glad to see him making music with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. They…

Can’t Erase It

Jars of Clay, the band from Greenville, Illinois, has a song entitled “Can’t Erase It” on the If I Left the Zoo album. The lyrics are written below. It is a song that captures the angst of trying to be one thing when we know we should be something else. Read the lyrics, listen to…

Hello Cruel World

I just discovered the Essentials album by Gretchen Peters. She has written songs for Bryan Adams, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, and many others. “Hello Cruel World” is one of my favourite songs on the album. It is full of angst and tensions of good and evil. It makes one think about the struggles of this world and…

Cuddy Cavalcade

He may have a “Skyscraper Soul” but his music continues to reach new heights. Jim Cuddy came to Calgary on March 1 and brought with him, in his own words, a “cavalcade of stars.” Cuddy gave plenty of space to his two sons who featured in two or more songs each. They are up-and-coming musicians…

Coals and Water

Coals and Water (Performed by Angel Snow) (Music and Lyrics by Angel Snow) (Listen here) Fortune tellers dancin’ ’round inside my head I’m tryin’ not to lose everything she said Even so in standing at the foot of my bed last night This mountains gettin’ higher with every step I’m trying not to lose everything…

Hazel Grey

“Hazel Grey” is a duo consisting of Pete and Josanna Justine. They have written more than 50 songs together and recorded five albums of songs. “Was There Music in the Air?” is from their 2010 album by the same name as the band, Hazel Grey. It captures the first moments of God’s creation before there…

Great Moments 2

Merry Clayton is one of the best known non-stars in the music industry. In 1969, as she was far from home, pregnant, and in a bad relationship, she was called by her manager. Her manager said, “We have some guys from England in the studio, the ‘Rolling somebodies.’ Can you come down and sing a…

No Hit Wonder

The latest composition by “Key of Zed” is more auto-biographical than previous offerings; and long-time fans will recognize references to previous songs. Enjoy listening to it on ReverbNation and follow along with the lyrics below. No Hit Wonder (Words and music by Mike Charko and Keith Shields; SOCAN, 2017) It started for me in ninety-three The…

Musical Influences

Writing songs and poetry is a deeply personal process that, at the same time, is influenced by many other voices. The thoughts, concepts, and words in my head are there through a variety of musical, literary, and poetic influences. Sometimes I am inspired to write a song or poem about a grandchild, a friend,…