Pat Ryan Key

Pat Ryan Key (born March 19, 1986) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his 2021 song “Messed Up“. He performs in a variety of projects but primarily performs solo and as a duo with his collaborator, Al Halpin, collectively known as PAL. 
== Early life ==
Pat Ryan Key was born in Rogers, Arkansas on March 19, 1986. He was introduced to music early in life by his father, whose father was an aspiring country and western songwriter. Key’s first instrument was the trombone that he performed in his middle school band and junior high band. He is a self taught multi-instrumentalist beginning at the age of 14.
== Career ==
Key began his career in high school as a drummer and singer in a garage band performing in school talent shows as well as local music venues across Northwest Arkansas. After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Key began writing material for what would become his first studio recording. He recorded and performed the instrumentation in his bedroom for his debut EP, A Rebel’s Chance, that was released on January 17, 2011 under his stage name, i do declare. His first single, “Stabbed”, received airplay and became a top requested song for multiple local radio stations. In 2012, his band won an award for Best New Artist at the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards.
In November 2015, Key released the single "Them Bees" for his debut solo EP, Guncle, which was released on February 26, 2016. Later in 2016, he was a collaborating songwriter and guest recording artist on the album, Fly Again, by The Casual Flyze. The album was released on February 24, 2017. He made contributions to four of the eleven songs on the album. He co-wrote and co-arranged two of the songs titled "Love Letter" and "Invisible Spot". He played acoustic guitar and electric guitar on two songs titled "Invisible Spot" and "Let Me Cry". He was the drummer on the song titled, "Violin". He sang on a total of three songs titled "Love Letter", "Invisible Spot", and "Let Me Cry". The Casual Flyze is fronted by chief songwriter and pianist, Michael Townsend.
On November 18, 2016, Key's music career was put on hold for health reasons. He was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare form of a cancerous brain tumor for an adult. Key made a full recovery after a successful surgery procedure and an aggressive radiation treatment regimen. He was diagnosed cancer free in 2019. 
In 2017, Key made a guest appearance on a studio recording with Common Roots. The song was a cover of "Raise Hell" by Brandi Carlisle. The cover song was released on October 23, 2017. 
In 2018, Key was named an official ambassador by state of Arkansas to help promote the natural state through social media. On July 6, 2018, Key released a single with Al Halpin titled, "Loves Her Rum". Key and Al released a follow up single on October 16, 2020 titled, “Dead Man Walkin”.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Key released "Messed Up" on April 9, 2021. The song was the first single from his EP, New Old Stock, which was released on July 16, 2021. His next single, "Pick Her Up", was released on November 19, 2021.
In October 2021, Key was endorsed by Hill Records. The record label is a student-run record label administered through the University of Arkansas. “Messed Up” was remastered and re-released on the record label's inaugural EP, From The High Ground. The album was released on March 1, 2022.
== Personal details ==
Key is a modest collector of vintage acoustic guitars and acoustic drums. He is married and enjoys hiking and being outdoors with his wife, Jillian.
== Discography ==
=== Extended plays ===
* A Rebel's Chance (2011)
* Guncle (2016)
* New Old Stock (2021)
=== Singles ===
* "Loves Her Rum" (2018)
* "Dead Man Walkin" (2020)
* "Pick Her Up" (2021)
=== Guest appearances ===
* Fly Again by The Casual Flyze (2017)
* "Raise Hell" — Brandi Carlisle (cover) by Common Roots (2017)
* From The High Ground EP from Hill Records (2022)
Category:American people
Category:American songwriters
Category:1986 births