Eulogy for Keith Watson June 14, 2024

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we gather not to mourn, but to celebrate the remarkable life of our friend and fellow musician, Keith Watson. It is an honor to stand before you and share a few words about someone who touched our lives so deeply, who played his way into our hearts, and whose melodies will forever echo in our memories. I know Keith thoroughly enjoyed his remote-controlled airplanes and won many awards, but I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing that part of him, other than enjoying his stories but I would like to share some of our music history with you.

Keith was not just a guitarist; he was a true artist. His fingers danced effortlessly across his guitar strings in the style of Chet Atkins, each note a testament to his passion and dedication. Keith’s music had a way of transcending the ordinary, weaving a tapestry of emotions that spoke to the very soul. Whether it was a heartfelt ballad about A Dog Named Shep, or an old Louisiana witch named Marie Laveau, Keith had the uncanny ability to make his guitar sing, or cry, and bring laughter to all our friends.

Keith called me one wintry night and said “Joel Daily has a friend looking to try out his new recording system and needs someone who can sing. What about that new song you wrote titled “Cold Night” about you and John?” I was so excited and said, “I’ll be there!” I drove over and we started the recording session. I told Keith he needs to add some lead guitar in a certain spot in the song, and he quickly told me that he didn't play lead guitar, yet he took on the challenge even if I did have to reach over and turn the volume knob down myself to give it a fade-out effect on that lead part and it sounded GREAT! Keith certainly had a way of making things happen one way or another and created a fabulous memory!

Keith’s dedication to music and to our band was extraordinary. We spent countless hours jamming together and meticulously planning our upcoming shows, which we performed nearly every week for many years. But as you can see in the pictures in the presentation our faces are all smiles. And through the ups and downs of all the shows with the hard work, and their late-night sessions, Keith was always there, and always a constant source of motivation, inspiration and support to do it all.

I just learned from Joel Daily when Keith was in the hospital that Keith had an incredibly photographic memory, especially when it came to lyrics. I just knew from our shows that he had a mind full of lyrics as he would just look at me and know I had forgotten the lines of my own song which I had written! Keith would mouth the words looking at me so I could begin singing. He also ran the sound for our band, Next Exit, and made sure my vocals were crystal clear, that all mics were on target and all instruments were level. His dedication to making our performances the best they could be was unwavering.

Beyond his extraordinary talent, Keith was an extraordinary person. He had a heart as big as his love for music. He was kind, generous, and always willing to lend a hand or lend a piece of his music equipment. Keith had a way of making everyone feel special, of bringing out the best in those around him.

Keith was the motivating factor when I was shy about singing a song too high or too low for my vocal range. He gave me courage! He worked with me until we found the right key and he told me it doesn’t matter what key you want to sing a song in because the musicians were there to support the singer not the other way around.

That was the essence of Keith – he played from the heart, he lived with passion, and he loved unconditionally. His performances reflected his soul, a beautiful, intricate composition that will continue to resonate with all of us who knew him.

As we say our goodbyes, let us remember Keith not with sadness, but with gratitude for the time we all shared with him. Let us celebrate his life by carrying forward his legacy, by finding joy in music, and by holding onto the love and laughter he brought into our lives.

Keith, you may have strummed your last chord here on earth, but your music will play on in our hearts forever. Thank you for being my friend, my fellow musician, and my brother in spirit. Rest in peace, and may your soul find eternal harmony.

Vicki Lynne Wisecup, June 14, 2024
In the cover picture, the man with white hair on the left is Keith, middle front is Wayne Couch, next on right is Joel Daily. In the back is me, Vicki Lynne, and our drummer Steve Schell. Our wonderful band days were between 2004 and 2009.