Christian Keyes is a budding star on the rise...

Known for his debut CD, Day By Day, and acting roles in such stage favorites as Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail and What's Done In The Dark, Christian Keyes is a budding star on the rise with promise for a very long career in writing and performing soulful music, as well as acting on the stage, and in television and film. You may also have recognized this 6'3 195-pound singer/actor in movies roles, including Diary of a Mad Black Woman, or music videos for such artists as Ashanti, Kerry Hilson and Brandy.

So if you enjoyed Day By Day, you're sure to have the desire to get "up close and personal" with Keyes by listening to his new CD, Personal. In addition to recently completing the writing and recording of Personal, this actor/singer is currently busy closing the deal on several television and film roles.

Tell us about your current projects in music and film: "I just finished recording Personal, and shot the video for the first single, Boots on. I'm also waiting to finalize a couple of contracts for a few feature films, and the lead in a television series."

Is there any message you're trying to send out with your new CD? "I called it Personal because I'm more personal on this CD than on my first one, Day By Day. Personal shows all the sides of me. I let everyone in on this one. I show my playful, fun side with the club songs I'm Single, Bartender, and Personal. Then I have songs like Home, which is about growing up, and things like playing in the grass as a kid. The song really takes you back home. There are also songs about relationships…There's a good assortment of music in it; it's me."

What did you learn from doing theatrical productions? The Madea Goes To Jail play with Tyler Perry taught me the most, and I grew the most while doing that play. With theater, you only get one shot. There is no retake or cut. You have to go for broke every time out."

You're known for being a laid-back type of guy. Tell us how you keep yourself grounded? "I came up with really humble beginnings, and I look at everything the way it is now—it's all a blessing. I try not to get too upset when things don't go the way I want it to. And I try not to get overly happy—and certainly never cocky—when things go the way I want them too. I take everything in stride."

What do you do to relax? "I love to listen to all kinds of music.  Sometimes I close the drapes, light some candles and just listen to good music. I also love spending time with my five-year-old son. We play until I get tired because he usually outdoes me."

Tell us about the exercise regime that keeps you in shape? "I've been training for more than 10 years now. Four or five days a week I'm lifting weights and running."

What's your average day like? "It's never the same. But I get up and do my vocal drills, get something to eat, and send e-mails. If I don't have any auditions during the day, I may write a bit. If I have shows coming up, I'll rehearse. If I'm shooting something, I usually have to be there by 6 or 7 a.m.; shoots are usually over 14 hours. But it's a blessing, so I'm not complaining."

How do you prepare for a concert? "I rehearse so much it's where I may overdo it sometimes. But I want it to be easy come show time. I want to have done the songs so much, and in so many different ways, whatever happens—like if a fan throws themselves on stage—I can still handle it."

Has fame changed you? "It's made me more aware of the industry, how it works, and how people really are. A lot of the people in the industry are sincere, but a lot of people want something out of it. Fame has taught me how to handle that."

Do you enjoy acting or singing better? "I love both equally. When I get to work with a character on a project, I get to commit and lose myself in that character. Each [character] is a small moment of magic. The same with music. When you can move people, and have them jumping and screaming the words to your songs, or have people writing to you saying a song you wrote changed their life, that's amazing."

What's on your nightstand?" An alarm clock, bottle of cologne, candle, and a teddy bear my son gave me."

Who is your greatest inspiration? "There are so many. It's impossible to name them all. There's everyone from Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie and Smokey Robinson, to Babyface, Usher and Brian McKnight."

Where do you see your career going in five years? "I see myself doing a couple of feature films a year, a film or two straight to DVD a year, and definitely doing my music and putting out CDs. I also want to keep writing films. I have a lot of ideas."

Christian welcomes fan e-mail at: myspace.com/christiankeyes1.

By: Tracey Porpora
      Freelance Writer
      E-mail: info@TraceyPorpora.com
      http://traceyporpora.com/