Keith Is Not Alone

After enthralling the music scene with his phenomenal hit "Because of You" in 2002, the multi-talented R&B and ballad singer, composer and producer Keith Martin is out again with another spellbinding album entitled, "I'm Not Alone."

"I'm Not Alone" has 13 touching songs which boasts of "I Don't Wanna Think About It," a pop and R&B-themed song written by Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men. The album also charms with the remake of "Why Can't It Be?" popularized by Rannie Raymundo in the 90s. Other songs in the album were written and produced by Keith himself.

Keith's penchant for heartrending music is greatly influenced by his musically inclined family, not to mention his superstar cousin, the Stevie Wonder. He may not read a single note, but he plays the keyboards, bass guitar, drums, and percussions in a manner only accomplished musicians would know.

Having lived in the Philippines for more than a year and a half now, Keith has found a home, which also served as his breeding ground in composing, producing and singing ditties released by EMI Records. When he is not out to promote his second album or doing gigs, he is busily contributing his work to young Filipino artists such as Kyla, Cebuano quartet Dice & K9, Luke Mejares, among others.

Keith said he has not yet experienced any stiff time working with local artists. "What can I say? They really have a great talent! They also have a lot of new ideas and they are versatile. Incredible! I can see myself in them when I was just starting," he said, referring to the local artists that he has worked with, in an interview with The FREEMAN during his album launching at the SM Cebu Entertainment Plaza recently.

But aside from his work, what are the other factors that have made him grow fond of the country?

"I love its history. I'm pretty interested in places like Intramuros, that's where I get to learn about the place. I have also visited other spots like Bohol, Baguio, Mindoro, but I still have to visit other places," Keith admitted.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Keith confessed that it was not really difficult for him to adjust to the lifestyle here. Having worked with other artists abroad, he has grown familiar to the different customs of other countries, including Indonesia, wherein his song "Love of My Life" hit this Southeast Asian nation's airwaves last August 2004.

"People are people, right? So far, everybody around has been cool, you know. Although, there are knuckleheads, well we have them everywhere, but everybody's been okay. No problem actually," disclosed Keith, who also claimed that he loves the lechon of Cebu.

He is currently in a year and a half relationship with his 21-year-old Filipina girlfriend Diana Dayao, with whom he shares the same interests. He said that his girlfriend also writes and composes songs. "She actually helped me co-write two songs in my previous album. I also dedicate the second album to Diana's lolo who passed away. Because in the short time that I shared with him, I really did learn a lot," he shared.

He said that the reason why he absorbs the nature of his work so well is because he gets his inspiration from God, who is the source of his creativity. "Everything comes from him. From the music, rhythm, everything. That's why if somebody asks me on whom I gather my passion for music from, it's definitely the One above," he narrated.

Keith is hopeful that 10 years from now he would still be in the limelight of his chosen career. He also aims to establish and run his own record label in the country. "But with a worldwide distribution of course," he added.