Ryan Key

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ryan Key


Img_capt = Ryan Key of Yellowcard
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = William Ryan Key
Born = birth date and age|1979|12|17
Origin = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar
Genre = Pop punk, Alternative rock
Occupation = Musician, Songwriter, Vocalist
Years_active = 1997–present
Label = Capitol Records
Associated_acts = Yellowcard
URL = [http://www.yellowcardrock.com/ Official website]
Notable_instruments = Gibson Les Paul
Gibson SG

Ryan Key (born December 11, 1979) is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the band Yellowcard.

Early life

Born William Ryan Key, Key lived in Jacksonville, Florida, and started playing piano at the age of nine and guitar at age thirteen. He attended Episcopal High School of Jacksonville before transferring to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (for theatre), from which he graduated. He then attended Florida State University but dropped out. During this time he sang in a Jacksonville band called Modern Amusement (who subsequently broke up in 1998). He next moved to Santa Cruz, California along with Dan McLintock of Inspection 12 to join Craig's Brother but moved back to Jacksonville after less than a year in CB.

Music and Career

By this time, some of Key's high school friends from Douglas Anderson had formed the band Yellowcard, and when the original lead singer Ben Dobson left, Key was invited by lead guitarist Ben Harper to join. Previously, Key had been part of the band Craig's Brother. Key convinced the rest of the band to migrate to Ventura County, California.

With Key's voice and rhythm guitar, the band produced albums "One for the Kids", "The Underdog EP", and "Ocean Avenue", after which Ben Harper, Key's original recruiter, left. Inspired by Los Angeles's sights and noises (in a more negative perspective), the band recorded "Lights and Sounds".

Key stars in numerous music videos including "Powder", "Way Away," "Ocean Avenue," "Only One," "Lights and Sounds," "Rough Landing, Holly," and most recently, "Light Up the Sky". Key is widely recognized for his spiky blonde hair and his lean body. He is also known for running in his music videos, such as "Ocean Avenue" and "Rough Landing, Holly"

Key sang a duet with Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines for the song "How I Go."

Beyond Yellowcard

August 2006 Key was seen at a Metal School concert with friend Kelly Clarkson.

Key and band mate Sean Mackin were on the The Sauce for Fuse. They were to recite the instant poll question. The question was "What is the best thing to come out of New Jersey?"

Key appeared on the hit television series Made on MTV. He was the Made coach for two students. The goal was to make them singers and to make their own band; so they could compete in the Battle of the Bands for the students' High School.

According to http://www.yellowcardbr.com/news_eng.php, and http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=252688, Key will make an appearance in the upcoming J. J. Abrams movie Cloverfield. He plays a bartender at a party (Source: Teaser Trailer)

On August 12, a song by Ryan Key and Taboo (The Black Eyed Peas) was streamed onto the Internet for downloading called 'Gotta Get It Now!' In the "YC Underdogs" Message Boards, you can find the link.

On February 14, 2008, Ryan Key and Ryan Mendez performed an acoustic version of 'Fighting' and 'Light up the Sky' on the show "Dave Navarro's Spread."

As of late 2006, Ryan was rumored to be dating Tasha-Ray Evin of the band Lillix. They were also rumored to have broken up in early 2007.

At the moment, Ryan is co-starring in the film Moustachette with Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy. The film is about illegal penguin poaching in South America.

Recently Ryan has been spotted around Athens, Georgia- home of his beloved Georgia Bulldogs- cheering on his favorite football team with friends.

Trivia

*He has a red tattoo on his right wrist that says, "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here," referencing the Weezer song of the same title (from The Blue Album). His left arm is sleeved from his shoulder to his wrist with characters such as Spider-Man, Superman, The Green Goblin quoting the phrase "No one is innocent", and Wonder Woman. Other designs include an interstate sign that reads "SMS" for Scott McRae Shad who was a dear friend and the original drummer Inspection 12, a sailing ship with a scroll that reads "Son of a Sailor", scrolls that read "Magic" and "Tragic", a Yin-Yang style half moon half sun and some Japanese style of work as well.
*Key has had throat surgery due to a cyst in his throat.
*Before joining Yellowcard he wanted to become an actor.
*Ryan read for the lead role in J.J. Abrams's film Cloverfield, and got down to the final four actors before being given a smaller role as a 'party goer'.