Major Keys is a musical trio composed of three of central New York’s premier long-standing musicians.  The band features a surprisingly unexpected variety of classic rock selections spanning four decades.  Shelly Major, Mike Keegan and Brad Beardsley bring with them an exciting mix of individual and collective musical experiences.  Let’s meet the band members:

Mike Keegan – Many locals say the best musicians came out of the early days at Parker’s restaurant.  During that era, Mike Keegan was part of a powerhouse duo that packed that venue and numerous others around Auburn and the central New York area and had tavern owners scrambling to try to book them as fans requested their lively performances and ringing harmonies.  Mike also had performed as a musician up and down the eastern seaboard for several years.  More recently, Mike has been performing as a solo act around central New York, drawing crowds with his precision guitar playing and lively banter with his audience.

Shelly Major – One of the founding members and the driving beat of the band Mixtape, Shelly Major is a drummer whose rhythm to which you could set a Swiss watch.  Her precision playing and versatility on the drum kit allowed her to easily slide between the classic rock of Mixtape to a Clapton tribute band, to a duo in which she put aside her full drum set for a cajon to join pianist and singer Brad Beardsley.  At the time, Brad had a solo piano act around various venues in Auburn, including a five-year run at GJP restaurant, and spent ten summers entertaining at assorted venues in the Florida Keys.  Shelly and Brad played as a duo for a few years, packing the house and becoming a favorite at venues such as the Gould and summer hot-spot Wolffy’s, as well as Parkers, Anyela’s and other establishments between Auburn and Seneca Falls.  

After playing a fundraiser with a makeshift assortment of musicians drew Shelly and Brad’s attention once again to the talents of Mike and gave them a sample of his prowess on vocal harmonies, Shelly and Mike began working as a duo opposite Shelly and Brad’s duo and soon became a local favorite as well.  All through this time, however, the three couldn’t help wondering what would happen if they combined their talents. . . time and situation would tell.  With time on their hands during the pandemic, the three began practicing together and a decision was made one sunny summer night; after months of hard work and practice, Major Keys announced their first gig.