Ryan Key

Ryan Key

Ryan Key (born December 17, 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. Key and his fellow band mate Peter Mosely moved to New York. With the inspiration from the city's sights and noises and the experience of living in some place completely new, the band recorded the album Lights and Sounds. In July 2007, Yellowcard released their latest album, Paper Walls.

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 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 Skool concert with his 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 made an appearance J. J. Abrams' movie Cloverfield. He plays a bartender at the party near the beginning of the movie. (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."

Ryan Key also made an appearance in Will.I.Am's video "We Are The Ones". The video supports Barack Obama. Key sings background vocals along with many others, and plays guitar in part of it.

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.

On February 24th, Ryan Key has announced that he has started a new band with Sean O'Donnell called Big if. It is posted on their official Myspace bulletin.

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'.