Johnny and Dave follow the road to the soul mine.

If you thought real soul music was long gone, think again.  With a deep friendship and a tight stage act born of countless shows together, Johnny Rawls and Dave Keller are mesmerizing.  Like a modern-day Sam and Dave, they trade vocal lines like wildfire, igniting performances across the globe. 

Their debut album together, Tribute to Soul, drops July 3, 2026 on Third Street Cigar Records, and honors Johnny's 50-plus year career on the soul/blues circuit.  The magnetic pair have unearthed musical treasures by some of the most esteemed singers of the classic soul era.  Each song was originally recorded by one of Johnny's mentors. 

Some are familiar names: Joe Tex, Eddie Floyd, Z.Z. Hill.  Others will be known only to crate diggers: Tommy Tate, James Carr, and O.V. Wright.  In each case, Johnny and Dave have dug up buried nuggets and shined them up for all to hear and enjoy.  So, if you need a new favorite song, kick back and relax - or grab your Stacy Adamses.  Johnny and Dave have got you covered. Check out the track list here.

“This is a great breath of fresh air and a change for me,” Johnny says.  And when he exclaims, "We're sitting on a powder keg!”, you can feel his excitement.

With this new album of "Old school soul", Johnny and Dave will be taking their show across the seven continents (Yes, Antarctica, they're coming for you!).  Don't be surprised if you find yourself in a crowded club, in Memphis or Milan, singing and shouting along with these two soul masters. 

Johnny Rawls was born in the small Gulf Coast community of Purvis, Mississippi in 1951.  Equally talented as a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Rawls left home at 17 to tour the Deep South with popular soul and blues acts of the day: Willie Hightower, Joe Tex, Z.Z. Hill, and dozens of others.  For many years, he served as musical director for legendary soul man O.V. Wright, by those in the know, considered to be one of the greatest vocalists of all time. 

Since Wright's death, Rawls has pursued his own music, releasing dozens of albums, performing on six continents, and earning a host of awards (Blues Music Awards, Living blues Awards, etc.).  His album Make Them Dance won the 2026 BMA for Best Soul Blues Album.  Through it all, with over 50 years of constant touring, Rawls has built a giant audience of loyal fans, who never miss a chance to catch Johnny when he pulls into town. 

Dave Keller was born in 1967 in Worcester, MA.  Playing guitar in his teens, it wasn't until he discovered blues in his early twenties that his passion fully ignited.  Keller was wise enough to look for mentors, and found them in renowned guitarist Ronnie Earl, deep soul singer Mighty Sam McClain, mystical soul guitarist Robert Ward, and gospel organist Brother Bob White.  Each taught him invaluable lessons.  30-plus years of touring have honed his guitar playing, his singing, and his songwriting.

With four Blues Music Award nominations under his belt, accolades from the media (Rolling Stone, USA Today, Downbeat), and a legion of diehard fans, Keller has more than surpassed expectations for a young soul singer from New England.  He is now considered one of the finest soul and blues artists of his generation.

But it is his friendship with Johnny Rawls that is raising the bar for both men.  Keller met Rawls in 2010, when he had the opportunity to sit in with the elder statesman of soul at a festival in Vermont, where Keller currently resides.  Sensing someone with talent and drive, Rawls took Keller with him, touring throughout the Northeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic. 

With their deep friendship providing the underpinning for their music, each show is a testament to their connection.  They have fun together, laugh together, get deep in the soul grooves together, and ultimately, without fail, burn down stages together.  There is a passing of the soul torch that is evident, and quite beautiful.  In these days of "You can learn anything you want on the Internet", it's refreshing to find a tradition being passed on organically.  As Johnny once told Dave, "You got to come up under somebody.  I came up under O.V.  You're coming up under me." 

The fruits of that relationship are evident, both on record, and on stage.  Don't miss any chance to catch these two master Soul artists in action!

Tribute to Soul will be available directly from the artists (JohnnyRawlsBlues.com and DaveKeller.com), and from Third Street Cigar Records.  Look for it on all major streaming services.  For more information, email info@davekeller.com.

 DAVE KELLER TOUR DATES

All shows below are free and open to the public.

Friday Jul 3, Montpelier, VT, Vermont State House, 7:00 PM Independence Day Celebration

Saturday July 4, E. Burke, VT, Mike's Tiki Bar, 5:30 PM

Thursday July 9, Chester, VT, Town Green, 6:30 PM

Friday July 10, Stowe, VT, Spruce Peak Village/Whistle Pig Pavilion, 4:00 PM

Sat July 11, North Hero, VT, Hero Islands Tiki Bar, 5:00 PM