Keep On!

Welcome to Keep On! 's museum 😉 We hope you enjoy taking a journey through our journey. Keep on checking back cause we'll keep adding content. Also, become a part of our Private Facebook Group and get the latest news, wacky moments backstage and our Live Streams.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS ...

September 2021 was the time, Chicago the place where Lil’ Red Records produced the second Lil’ Red & The Rooster album, Keep On! ten original songs and an adaptation of the traditional song "Nobody's Fault But Mine" were carefully chosen along with a Grammy Winning dream team to pay respect to the blues tradition we love so much. Engineer Blaise Barton of JoyRide Studios was the foundation we built our team on. Next we wanted Vintage swinging and bouncing shuffles and who better for that than Kenny “Beedyeyes” Smith on drums and Felton Crews on bass. With out a great rhythm section, nothing will fly! Jeff Morrow was a backup singer extraordinary on our album Soul Burnin' and this time Lil' Red wanted to bring him on as Vocal Producer. Pascal has played with baritone sax player Jean-Marc Labbe for decades and we wanted to highlight his brilliance on this album. Lil' Red loves vocal arrangements and friend and riff queen Caroline Carson Rau laid down some sweet stuff. Our friends The Castros were staying in the Chicago area, so we brought them to hang and they ended up being on the track American Made. Finally, Pascal dreamed of having multi-award winning Blues legend Billy Branch singing and playing harmonica on "Keep On Loving You" and the universe aligned for Pascal's dream to come true. Cherry on top The project was picked up by Blue Heart Records for distribution world wide.

Official Release WAS Oct. 21st, 2022! We'll keep you up to date on our Socials, so follow us, join our email and stay-tuned!

ps ... we'll be adding to this page, so check back frequently!

VIPs Private Group

Press Charts

Reviews

Awards

Radio Show Featuring Keep On! (In French)

Interview (In French)

DREAM TEAM …

Blaise Barton

Engineer/Mix/ Master/Co-Producer

Blaise is a Grammy Winning engineer and a go to in the Blues world. He's recorded Buddy Guy, Billy Branch, Carrie & Lurrie Bell well the list goes on and on. He worked his magic on our last album and has become a true friend. Click the button to check out where the magic happens!

Jeff Morrow

Vocal Producer / Vocals

Jeff sang on our last album, Soul Burnin' and I was blown away by his talent. I later learned he's the Vocal Producer for the series Empire!!! Wow, and a sweetheart, too. He'll be the brilliance guiding my voice to it's fullest potential!

Billy Branch

Harmonica / Vocals

Billy Branch can effortlessly segue from vintage Little Walter to thoroughly up-to-the-minute funky blues without dropping a beat.
Bill Dahl, Author and music critic

Billy's ability to bring personal conviction to everything he plays sets him apart from many of his contemporaries .
David Whiteis, Author and Music Critic / Chicago Reader

Kenny “Beedyeyes” Smith

Drums

If you don't know this Grammy & Blues Award winning drummer, I'm sure you've heard his father, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith who played for Muddy Waters & Pinetop Perkins. Kenny is my favorite Blues drummer. When I started playing percussion I listened exclusively to his father and then to him to learn the subtle feels in each unique shuffle. I'm honored to get to work with him on this project. If he was completely unknown and his father too, he'd still be my favorite. So, check him out and if you're a drummer check out his YouTube videos.

Felton Crews

Bass

Felton is a Grammy Winner and Chicago Blues Hall of famer who's toured around the world and back always giving back to the next generation. We asked Kenny who he'd love to play with who knows the old Blues and he guided us to Felton. We couldn't be happier! Check out this video of the two of them backing Billy Boy Arnold!

Jean-Marc Labbe

Baritone Sax

Jean-Marc is from Paris and a phenomenal player and performer and I don't say that lightly. I've watched him and played with him over the course of the last 10yrs and he shines. His choices are rich with decades of experience targeted towards post-war rhythm & blues and blues. As a vocalist, he lifts me and inspires me, always tasteful and supportive. I couldn't ask for more. Check out this video ...

CAROLINE CARSON RAU

VOCALS

Lil' Red met Caroline at the Conservatory of music in Cincinnati in the late 80's where they were both studying. They became best friends. Caroline is a singer and actress currently residing in Valparaiso, Indiana. We call her Skat, Riff & Wail because there isn’t anything she can’t do with her voice!

THE CASTROS

CROWD VOCALS

Sara and Marco Castro are a musical duo traveling the USA in a sprinter van. This duo met Lil' Red and the Rooster in their favorite coffee shop Java Central in Uptown Westerville, Ohio. Marco would often sit in on percussion. Sara's a sing-songwriter and guitarist as well as a graphic artist. Her company's called FoxandBeans. They’re currently traveling the USA in their live in van, so keep an eye for them!

JIMMY “BONKS” BUONFORTE

ASSISTANT ENGINEER

As riight hand man of Blaise Barton, JImmy’s a real pro and super cool dude! His style, ear and quick camera flashing made the journey even more fun. Thanks Jimmy!

Co-Executives & Sponsors

Their financial & creative support made this album possible. Some have chosen to remain anonymous. Thank you from the depths of our souls for keeping the arts within the artists integrity.Ticklish blessings surround your journey!

RALPH DENICK, JAVA CENTRAL, MICHAEL MILLIGAN, COREY MILLIGAN & NEW WEST KNIFE WORKS, MARVELOUS MAMA MILLIGAN, DESTINATION DONUTS, T-MAN, MJ MULTIMEDIA LLC and

Margaret Harris, Colleen Cebulla & Ted Donley, Pamela S Schelreth, Jill Tangeman, Don & Linda Wilkins, Rader Hayes, Rich & Teresa Foehl, Terry Labolt, Natalie’s Music Hall & Kitchen, Victor Finger, Bluesnews.ch, Robert & Skyla Blumenschein & Patty Sprouse, Paul Stagaman, Teri & Rob, Cash Larue, The Horse Woman, Scribeaux Amps.

Click on photos to go to their website!

Java Central

Destination Donuts

Natalie's Music Hall

sages, outide eyes, ghost noters & art bumpers:

We want to give special thanks to following beautiful souls who supported the artistic creation of this album.

GLEASON BAUER, JANETTA DAVIS, DEB LANDOLT, TERI & ROB, COLIN JOHN, VICTOR FINGER, FRED DAUGUET, PASCAL MUCCI, JEAN-MARC DESPEIGNES, FRITZ, CAROL, MICHAEL, COREY & JESSICA MILLIGAN, RICK BARKER & CARI COLE.