HISTORY OF DANIEL KEETON
Who is Daniel Keeton? Here is a complete history of who Daniel Keeton is and where he's been.
In the Beginning...
His mom and dad divorced and he was forced to live with his dad and new stepmother. “This will teach you”, his stepmother said. As the brush took pieces of skin from his back, he screamed in pain. Only to anger his stepmother even more. When dad came home to see the damage that had been done, he called the school to alert the teachers and school administrators to what had happened.
The next day, when the little boy leaned over the water fountain, the teacher took her opportunity to see the boy’s back. “What happened to you?”
“Let’s go to the office.”
That led to the trip to the police station. Which led to the courthouse, the doctor’s office and the psychiatrist. The state sent the boy to the step grandmother, who taught her daughter these ways.
Just a taste of what it was like, included; eating paper till you puked, kneeling on dried beans till your knees bleed, switching your legs till they bled and tasting your own blood from your busted lip.
A Bushel and a Peck
After weeks and months of heartbreaking and terrible pain, the boy went home to his dad and stepmother.
But, things hadn’t changed. They only got worse.
What helped him cope was being in touch with his grandmother, (daddy's mother) who lived in Leitchfield, Kentucky. She sent letters and said how she loved them, "a bushel and a peck".
This time, his dad had enough. They got on a Greyhound bus in Detroit and went to Kentucky to live with his grandmother.
Grandmother's House
Grandma's living room was small and full of interesting collections. One was her collections was of music cassettes. A box that was chocked full of curiously unknown singers that Daniel had never heard of; The Happy Goodman Family? Interesting. "They're reinforcing the stage", said the man, as the hammer banged on the stage. "We're in four automobiles and a pickup truck", one of them said. Then the lady said, "if your not a child of God, you can become one, while you sit here and listen to this".
After being exposed to grandma’s love and her music, there was a tent put up across the street. An ole preacher and his family were traveling evangelists. There was singing, shouting and preaching about Jesus! You could hear it from the front door. You could hear it from the back door. You could hear it from every square foot of grandma’s little house.
The Old Tent...
The boy sat on the concrete steps, (The ones bridging the ditch at the road) to get a closer look at the goings on across the street. They decided to get a closer look. Dad, Grandma and the boys went across the street and sat in the back row of the little tent. The preacher in rather loud voice exclaimed to the crowd, “GOD HAS SOMETHING GREAT FOR YOUR LIFE, BUT YOU MUST GIVE HIM YOUR LIFE FIRST!”
That's all the boy needed to hear. He rose to his feet, walked across the grass, got on his knees, (the ones made to kneel on beans till they bled) but this time, at a makeshift altar of old wooden folding chairs, to ask Jesus Christ to save his life, come into his heart and give him this “something special” the preacher spoke of.
A Family Reunited...
Daddy watched his son and followed, re-dedicating his life. The days following, dad left and the boy didn’t know where he went. Dad returned, and in the passenger’s seat of the the old station wagon, was the boy’s mother! In just a few days, dad and mom were remarried and the original family was together again.
The family moved out to the country, in an old farm house. The boy took sticks for microphones, twine for chords and cardboard boxes for speakers. Grabbed the guitar grandma bought him and put on his first concert for the cows and the birds.
Grandma's Old Steps...
That was 1979. The boy recently drove his bus by grandma’s house, only to find, it’s gone. Nothing left but some gravel, dried grass and an empty lot. But, at the ditch, an old broken set of concrete steps. They are dirty, cracked and broken. The ones where the boy watched the preacher in the tent.
Over the years, the boy took what he learned from grandma, and has traveled the world, thru every part of the continental United States, Canada, The Caribbean, The Bahamas and even to
Paris, France, to share this “Something Special”
with anyone who will listen.
THE VETERANS QUARTET
In 1984, Daniel was invited to join a local Gospel Quartet in Leitchfield, Kentucky called, The Veterans Quartet. They were not military veterans, but veterans of Gospel music. Daniel at 16 years old was neither. However, it was a wonderful opportunity to begin his journey into music.
The quartet entered a talent competition in Indianapolis, Indiana. They did extremely well. The folks running the show commented from the stage, it was against the rules to have Wayne Newton as your tenor singer! Daniel said, “Wayne who?”
Blackwood Quartet
In 1991, Daniel arrived in Branson, Missouri. He had gotten an invitation to join
The Blackwood Quartet from
Mr. Ron Blackwood, at the recommendation of
MR. J. D. SUMNER. Daniel worked with The BLACKWOOD FAMILY at the CAMPBELL’S OZARK COUNTRY JUBILEE
on the famed Hwy 76.
Jubilee Talent Winner
Later that year in 1991, Daniel won 1st place at the CAMPBELL’S OZARK COUNTRY JUBILEE TALENT COMPETITION and was awarded a recording at CARAVELL STUDIOS with musician and producer; TRACY HEASTON and The Blackwood Singers with Bass vocalist DENNY YEARY.
First Recording
Daniel’s first recording, "Telling the Old Story", gained the attention of the media in Branson and was positively reviewed by the BRANSON COUNTRY REVIEW MAGAZINE, appearing in the magazine alongside RAY STEVENS, BOXCAR WILLIE, BALDKNOBBERS, PRESLEYS, JOHNNY CASH, SHOJI TABUCHI, ANDY WILLIAMS, MO BANDY
and JIM STAFFORD (who Daniel parked cars for in 1999)
Daniel wrote the song and later was recorded by The McKameys.
The Impacts
Daniel left Branson 1992 to join a newly formed Gospel Trio in Louisville, Kentucky called, “The Impacts”, along with Brad Smith, Chris Kynard and Raymond Poe. They recorded their first album “A New Creation”, then made recording history, with the industry’s first live to CD recording!
Stand for the King - 1995
In 1995, “Takin a stand”, Daniel’s Second Album was recorded in Louisville, Kentucky at Daniel’s own studio. Included among the 10 selections were 5 new original songs; “Always Faithful”, “God Cried”, “Leading Me”, “The Only One” and the title cut,
“Stand for the King”.
Grand Prize Winner National Singer's Contest - 1996
In late 1996, Daniel entered a nationwide singers competition, conducted from Manassas, Virginia. The winners were announced in the April, 1997 edition of the Singing News Magazine.
Blackwood Voices
During the late 90’s, Daniel joined another famous version of the Blackwood family as he traveled the country with Mark Blackwood and the Blackwood Voices based out of Knoxville, Tennessee. lending voice and recording talent to the one album recorded in 1998, titled, “It’s All Good” on Mr. Blackwood’s record label, “Dancing Monkeys Zone”.
Daddy's Home
Before leaving on an extended trip to Texas, Daniel stopped by the nursing home, where his daddy was living, to sit and talk with him a while and took this picture just before he left.
October 24th, 1998, Daniel was on the road singing in Texas, he called home to check his messages, like we had to do then. 1st and only one he heard was from his Mama, “Son, you’re gonna have to come home, your Daddy past away today at the hospital”.
On the morning of Thursday, October 29th, when Daniel started his van to go to the church to set up for his Daddy's Funeral, the song he was to sing that day came on the radio.
As he set up behind the pulpit to sing his Mama her favorite song, they opened the back doors of the church, and rolled Daniel’s Daddy's casket down the isle, put it in position, opened the lid and walked out without saying a word. 37 years of traveling and performing does not prepare you for that.
Live at the Camp!
Three days later, on Sunday, November 1st, 1998, Daniel had scheduled his first ever, “live” recording at The Camp Pleasant Baptist Church in Frankfort, Kentucky. What was captured that evening was the most amazing moment of his life. Again, Daniel performed, “I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy” His mother’s favorite song. The one he just sang a few days ago at his father’s funeral. If I were you, I’d grab a bath towel and prepare yourself … you’re gonna need it … Here
Positive Country Show
Daniel returned to Branson
in 1999 to perform in the
POSITIVE COUNTRY SHOW at the
POSITIVE COUNTRY THEATRE.
Ed O'Neal & The Dixie Melody Boys
In 2004, Daniel joined the famed “Ed O’Neal and The Dixie Melody Boys”. In 2005, he was nominated as a “Top 10 Horizon Individual” by the National Quartet Convention. Lending his voice to 6 albums recorded by the Dixie Melody Boys between 2004 and 2007;
A Seat in The Heavenly Choir - 2004
Like Never Before - 2005
Live at Pigeon Forge - 2005
Hymns - 2006
Traditions - 2006
Smooth and Easy - 2006
Gold City Quartet
In 2011, Daniel joined the Gold City Quartet, based in Gadsden, Alabama. He had began singing Gold City songs back as a teenager in The Veterans Quartet. This was a blessing and a dream come true for Daniel. During his time there, he was awarded the honor of singing with one of his heroes, Mr. Tim Riley, the Bass singer that encouraged Daniel to follow his dream as a young teen, while watching The Gold City Quartet at a church in Beaver Dam, Kentucky. He never even imagined he would have the opportunity to stand on stage and have Mr. Riley serenade him in his ear monitor night after night! What an amazing blessing!
Daniel was also honored to record two projects with Gold City;
A Collection of Favorites and Somebody’s Coming.
American Cathedral
Paris, France
Daniel had been in touch with The American Cathedral in Paris, France for a few weeks. The Cathedral had reached back out to Daniel about the possibility to perform for their, “Friday Mission Lunch to the Homeless.” After researching the cost, the ministry decided, it would be a great outreach to send Daniel to Paris to perform for this event. April 2016, He boarded a plane destined for Paris. He wasn’t going to make money, no concerts scheduled to sell tickets, no product sales, no love offering, simply a gift to 70 homeless people being provided a free lunch and a surprise performance from an award winning and gifted American Tenor.
If you ask Daniel about the greatest and most memorable performance of his life? “The Parish Hall, at The American Cathedral in Paris, France. “Myself, a few volunteers and 70 homeless people that couldn’t pay, couldn’t give an offering, couldn’t purchase CDs, couldn’t do anything for you, just enjoy your gift of music.” Daniel, being an electronic and audio recording engineer, took the smallest recording gear and created “An American Tenor in Paris” recording project and broadcast a live performance to his friends and family from outside The Cathedral of Notre Dame and at the base of the Eiffel Tower!
Inspirationals Qt of Texas
In 2017 Mr. Keeton joined the Wills Family of Ft. Worth, Texas. Performing the tenor with Their Inspirationals Quartet of Texas.
GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame
On May 9th 2017, Mr. Keeton was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville Tennessee. Daniel, being a member of The Gold City Quartet, was invited to be a part of the celebration at Lipscomb University. Being involved in Gospel music since 11 years old, the event was emotional and a huge blessing to Daniel. "I love all Gospel music. It was Gospel songs in Grandma's box and the Gospel songs sung under Lamon Napper's tent that inspired a young boy to follow that, "Something Special" the old preacher spoke about.
I had no idea it would take me around the world!"
Jerry Presley Elvis Live
In 2018, Daniel returned to Branson, Missouri. He was invited by Denny Yeary to join Jerry Presley’s Elvis Live Show. Jerry is a cousin of Elvis Presley and performed his own Elvis Live shows at Jerry’s God and Country Theatre. Being a huge fan of Elvis and J.D. Sumner, Daniel was grateful to get to sing tenor in the quartet, performing the same songs that J.D. Sumner and the Stamps performed with Elvis Presley.
Branson's Famous Baldknobbers
In Late 2018, Brandon Mabe contacted Daniel and invited him to be a part of the Baldknobbers Show. Daniel gladly accepted and began preforming with BRANSON’S FAMOUS BALDKNOBBERS! The show that started it all in Branson in 1959.
Male Vocalist of the Year!
In mid 2019, Daniel was nominated by the Branson Show Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year. To even be mentioned among the town’s best singers was huge. Even more, the awards show was hosted at Jerry Presley’s God and Country Theater! When the announcement came for the winner of the 2019 Branson Show Awards, Male Vocalist of the Year? Mr. Daniel Keeton!
Majestic Crooners
In 2021 Daniel created a musical and video tribute show honoring Majestic Crooners of the past, such as; Al Jolson, the Andrews Sisters, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, Brenda Lee, Carol Burnett, Chubby Checker, Connie Fransis, Danny Kay, Dean Martin, Diana Ross, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Waters, Etta James, Fats Domino, Fats Waller, Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Gene Austin, Gene Kelly, Hazel Scott, Henry Burr, Jerry Lewis, Johnny Cash, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Kay Starr, Lena Horn, Leslie Uggums, Louie Armstrong, Marian Harris, Mary Lou Williams, Mel Torme’, Mills Brothers, Nancy Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Pat Boone, Patsy Cline, Paul Anka, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Ricky Nelson, Rosemary Clooney, Rudy Valley, Ruth Etting, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley Bassey, Ted Lewis, Tony Bennett & Whispering Jack Smith.
This Show was nominated for New Show of the Year by the Branson Show Awards in 2021
Church at the Baldknobbers
In 2022, The Keeton Family began holding church services in the Baldknobbers Theatre. Daniel and his wife Angeline shared with visitors to Branson, His testimony of being abused and her testimony of being addicted to heroin and dying from an overdose, but being alive to tell about it! An honor bestowed on Daniel was the pulpit from the Faith and Wisdom Church from Gary McSpadden.
A Serenade in Paris
In late 2022, Mr. Keeton premiered a version of His Majestic Crooners show titled “A Serenade in Paris”. A tribute to the Majestic Crooners in a Paris setting. The theatre was completely decorated in Paris decor, including paintings, lamps and a 15 foot lighted Eiffel Tower, inside the theatre!
Daniel even created his version of café liégeois - (Ka Fay yizwa ) a cold dessert made from sweetened coffee, coffee flavored ice cream and cream!
Faith and Freedom Tribute
During this time Daniel also created a new show called, “The Faith and Freedom Tribute". A moving gospel and patriotic tribute to gospel music and a 5 star Tribute to veterans and active military! Included in the show was Daniel’s original song to honor his heroes in Gospel Music, “Following in Their Footsteps”.
Another Hero is Coming Home
Over the last few years, Daniel has performed as a guest on the HUGHES BROTHERS DINNER SHOW at the HUGHES BROTHER’S THEATRE. Before joining the show he was inspired by Branson’s love for Veterans. This inspiration, formed a desire to write a song about Branson’s love for Veterans. Which was completed and titled, “ANOTHER HERO IS COMING HOME”. Daniel performed the song at every dinner show and gave free cd copies to every Veteran. In 2025 he ended up giving away in excess of 5000 copies. Every time, the thankfulness and emotion was evident on every veteran’s face. Youtube Video Here
A Hero's Welcome
Building on the success of the dinner show, Daniel premiered a show titled, “A HERO’S WELCOME”. It is a unique theatre experience. A Hero’s Welcome video Presentation on the big screen as AN AMERICAN TENOR, DANIEL KEETON performs the most beautiful and emotional patriotic tribute to American Veterans you will ever witness. Ending in DANIEL’S original song’s new video,
“ANOTHER HERO IS COMING HOME”!
Their Mission —
- celebrate those who made it home
- Pray for those who are not home
- Remember those who didn’t make it home
You should bring tissues, you're going to need them!
