Keith Rooks

I am a self-taught guitarist with over 40 years of playing experience and more than three decades of performing at venues across Hickory, NC, and Virginia. My musical expertise spans Classic Rock, 1980s Hair Metal, Country, and Bluegrass, and I have built a reputation as a versatile and passionate musician.

I currently perform with The Cosmic Hillbilly Experience, a group known for blending Grateful Dead influences with Country and Bluegrass. In 2021 we released our first album “Night Sky”, and in 2022 our second album “Reflections“. In April 2024 we eleased their Third album “No Chance Of Going Home” on Apple Music , Spotify , Pandora , YouTube Music and other streaming services. We perform regularly throughout Western North Carolina, bringing high-energy shows and unique musical arrangements to local audiences. In addition to this work, I have also performed with a country/rock band and an eighties metal band, further expanding my range as a guitarist and performer. Over the years, I have developed into a well-rounded musician, equally at home on stage with a full band or in more intimate settings. My family and I will be relocating to Nashville next summer, and I am eager to bring my performance experience to new opportunities within the Nashville music community.

 In addition to performing, I have over 10 years of teaching experience, working with students of all ages and skill levels. I currently provide private guitar instruction in Hickory, NC, and previously served as a guitar instructor at Music & Arts, where I consistently received outstanding reviews from both students and parents. During my time there, I advanced through the company’s instructor program, beginning as an experienced instructor, progressing to the professional level, and ultimately achieving the designation of master instructor. My teaching approach emphasizes tailoring lessons to individual needs while developing both technical skills and a lifelong love of music.

I believe every student learns best when their lessons are personalized to their individual interests and goals. My teaching approach focuses on tailoring each lesson to the student’s unique needs, learning style, and musical aspirations. One of the methods I find most effective is selecting a song that excites the student and using it as both a learning tool and a source of motivation.

By breaking the song down step by step, I not only guide students through the process of playing the piece but also use it as a foundation to teach essential music theory concepts. This approach helps students connect theory to practice in a way that feels natural and engaging, while also keeping them motivated through material they genuinely enjoy. Over time, this method develops both their technical proficiency and their deeper understanding of how music works.