Keilah is the Hebrew term for the word "citadel," and comes from 1st Samuel, Chapter 23. God is our our citadel, our fortress, and our acceptance of Christ's salvation is our doorway into that place of peace and assurance.

There is nothing more invigorating and uplifting of our own hearts than performing live, engaging people in joyous, unabashed worship. Remembering that as Christians, our goal is not to "succeed" in the convention sense but to reach souls for Jesus Christ, our special moments are when someone's heart opens for the first time to the possibility of the unshakeable love God offers us. We play wherever we are asked and do not charge a fee.

The music industry is in chaos right now. Internet technology has made so many of the industrial conventions obsolete. Online booking, merchandise marketing, music distribution, and the income generated by the industry have all been affected by internet technology. It has afforded vast exposure to really excellent musicians but it has afforded the same exposure to some not-so-talented musicians. As a consequence, the listener is much more on his own in discerning quality. The screening process of the industry has virtually disappeared. But, all roads lead to the stage and if you can't do it live on stage, all the music editing bells and whistles will not help you in the long run.

Not at this point in our career, no. At a recent industry conference we learned just how much debt artists labor under when they sign with a major label. All the front money to promote, market and tour is paid back before the artist sees his first dime. At least in the Christian music industry, not a few major artists are reverting to independent status as soon as they can break free of their contracts. By the time a major label would be interested in us, we may not be interested in them. But it never hurts to keep your options open.

Keilah came together in 2003 when Travis Hearne, a dedicated Christian and extremely accomplished guitarist, heeded God's call to pursue a music ministry that reached out to youth. He enlisted his brother Cannon, a Christian and extensively-trained drummer in his own right, to play percussion (congas, bongos, djembe, shaker) for an acoustic sound. Finally, Austin Curry, a fellow Christian with a riveting voice and bass guitar runs, joined Keilah. The search ended and the journey began. Beautifully-blended voices, creative songwriting skills, outstanding musicianship, and God's inspiration have laid the path out for Keilah.

Our musical influences include Caedmon's Call, Jars of Clay, David Crowder, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. We are Christian, we are acoustic, we are rock. Because Florida, and especially Tampa, has such a thriving Christian music community, we have a lot of local influences and hope we influence in return.

We love Tampa but in truth we have loved every city we have played in. We have always been well-received even in secular venues.

Our instrumentation is acoustic guitar, electric bass, congas, bongos, djembe, shaker, and harmonica.

Keilah is honored when we are invited to minister to a youth group or adult congregation. We do not charge a fee.