KEEY K102 hosted a Secret Show in Maplewood

The anticipation of the first-ever secret show that KEEY K102 FM had built up ended at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. After weeks of listeners winning tickets and waiting for anyone to slip up and break their silence about this top-secret event was almost over. The only clues given at this point were that there would be 2 artists; the headliner and an opener. A buzz in the crowd of people guessing who they thought it would be was continuously interrupted by music videos playing on the screens on the sides of the stage which added ideas to the chatter of who might take the stage. The KEEY K102 DJs and Dave from Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union came out on stage to start the night off by opening up a sealed envelope to reveal the opening artist’s name- Nate Smith!

Nate Smith introduced himself and began his set. Nate went on to explain his history in California and his move from a nursing career to music and then how he moved to Nashville. Nate Smith brought 2 guitarists to play the set with him and explained he was recovering from carpal tunnel surgery which is why he wasn’t playing his guitar. Nate energized the crowd singing Sleeve, World on Fire, and of course, Whiskey on You which boasts 157 million listens on Spotify alone, and then covered Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol and Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box. Nate Smith was a fantastic start to the Secret Show with his powerful vocals and storytelling charm. Listening to him laugh and tease the crowd showed how fun his personality is as well. 

The headliner was soon to be announced by the KEEY K102 DJs which brought the buzzing back to the waiting crowd that packed out the Myth Nightclub in Maplewood, MN. Who was next? The DJs started with a few hints; an Opry Member, how many hit songs HE has, called a modern-day traditional country singer and the guesses continued… until the envelope was opened by Muss and Amy James announcing the headliner- Chris Young! 

Chris Young started out with an explanation that he was just getting over being sick so if his voice was a little rough we would understand… in my opinion, I couldn’t tell at all! Chris has so many well-known songs in his collection, there was no way to guess what he was going to start with. Chris Young sang Famous Friends, Aw Naw, Getting You Home, Tomorrow, and The Man I Want to Be, to name a few but also charmed the crowd with a nod to Keith Whitley, Brooks and Dunn and Conway Twitty. Chris Young also sang Drowning written after his friend’s untimely death, then had the crowd light up the Myth with their phones in remembrance of lost loved ones. Chris Young brought his humor and unmatched vocals to this first Secret Show showing his commitment to country radio and traditional country music.

KEEY K102 DJs left us with the exciting impression that there will be more of these Secret Shows in the future. Thank you KEEY K102 for putting on top-notch shows for fans!

Until next time, that was the first Secret Show for KEEY K102 In A Country Minute!

Heart on the Line by Orlando Mendez, the Cuban Cowboy

I talked with Orlando Mendez about his music career and his recent single Heart on the Line, released in early September. Orlando's smooth delivery of Heart on the Line tells of his personal connection to the lyrics. Heart on the Line is a vulnerable heartfelt song of self-reflection and discovery. Orlando focuses on writing songs with meaningful stories and personal inspirations.

Orlando was raised in Miami, Florida, where his dad exposed him to a large variety of musical artists, anywhere from Green Day to 90’s Punk Rock. Those influences show in his showmanship and stage energy as well as his Cuban culture earning him the nickname, The Cuban Cowboy.

Orlando Mendez - photo by Keeli Da Silva

Orlando Mendez attended the University of Florida and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance. He was involved in nearly every school stage performance as a young actor. Before the entertainment industry was shut down during the pandemic, Orlando was traveling to New York City and to South Florida beginning a busy career in film, commercial acting, and stage performing.

During the shutdowns, he found songwriting as a creative outlet and learned to play guitar. Orlando’s experience in stage performing has given him the confidence to comfortably sing on stage, he's even able to drown out the crowd noise. While he’s on stage, he feeds off the crowd’s energy.

You might recognize Orlando Mendez, he competed on The Voice and sang Beer Never Broke My Heart by Luke Combs, and made it to the top 20 before his exit on the 22nd Season of the hit show. Orlando said he had a great experience on The Voice and took experiences he couldn't gain anywhere else.

Orlando gave me a list of songwriters that he is a fan of and would like to write with such as Trent Tomlinson, Andy Sheridan, Wyatt McCubbin, Ashley Gorley, Randy Montana, Erik Dylan, and Jason Nix. Orlando is writing music every day and is finishing up an EP that will be coming out soon. Keep up with him on his social media pages and website. (linked throughout the post)

thank you, Orlando for your time and fun conversation. Can't wait to hear the whole EP In A Country Minute!

Brian Meulen is living for the 'Heaven in the Country'

I recently talked with Brian Meulen, an Illinois native, singer/songwriter, and husband to singer and songwriter Annie Vander. I recently did a feature on Annie and her music career and it is only fitting to combine them in this feature. Brian began songwriting and playing guitar during the shutdowns as many others did, I have definitely noticed a pattern of people digging into the arts during the shutdowns. Brian Meulen works full-time in the investment business world as a broker, and songwriting has become his hobby and creative outlet. Brian's wife Annie is in full pursuit of music and through all the travel, endorsement, and experiences of Annie’s career, Brian also found his place in the charm of songwriting. Producer David Norris has co-written with Annie and produced her music. While in Nashville connecting with David on Annie’s music, David encouraged Brian to jump in and join them in writing music. Brian had some notes on his phone about his life with Annie and then began putting the lyrics together and wrote Heaven in the Country. Brian Meulen is a 90’s hair band and rock music fan but has recently been swayed into country music by artists like Hardy and Warren Zieders through their mix of country and rock influences.

Brian Meulen

So, then there is the story of how Heaven in the Country got started... Annie Vander cowrote Tonight with David Norris telling the story about when she and Brian met, then in response to Tonight, Brian wrote Heaven in the Country. Brian said that Heaven in the Country is his side of their life story. Brian Meulen works in downtown Chicago but he and Annie live on acreage that backs up to a protected forestry area, allowing them to take full advantage of the quietness of the country living with their 3 dogs. Brian is proudly Annie’s biggest supporter, occasionally playing guitar in her band, traveling to Nashville to write with Annie and David Norris, making her music career first priority. Brian plans on releasing more songs throughout the year and collaborating to write music and hone his guitar craft.

Brian Meulen is building a catalog of songs to pitch to other artists and artist teams. His socials are in the links throughout

Thank you Brian for sharing stories and love of dogs with me. Chat again soon ~In A Country Minute