Peter Keys on What It Takes to Play With Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Peter Keys joins Rich Redmond and Jim McCarthy to talk about his wild journey from George Clinton and P-Funk to auditioning for, and ultimately joining, one of rock’s most legendary bands. Peter shares how he prepped for the Skynyrd audition in just days, why learning every part of a song changes your musicianship, and how his Stoner Creek Studio and label are shaping his next creative chapter.Perfect for musicians, rock fans, and anyone obsessed with the craft and career of making music for a living.00:00 – Intro: Show production tag & Rich’s gym accident (seven staples, hat talk)02:20 – Hat fashion, personal branding & “on‑brand” looks05:05 – Introducing Peter Keys: Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist & resume overview08:10 – Musical philosophy: “12 notes,” learning every part of the song12:30 – Drummers as “New York City traffic cops” & live arrangement triage16:00 – Peter’s geographic journey: East Coast, NorCal, Atlanta, Detroit, Nashville20:15 – San Francisco in the ’80s: club scene, name‑drops & musical influences24:10 – George Clinton & P‑Funk era, alumni, “on the one,” funk talk28:30 – Stoner Creek Studio: post‑COVID build, gear, coffee priorities31:40 – Touring with Skynyrd: buses, routing, crews & road life realities35:20 – Dad rock, “Drummer Dad” concept & social media content ideas39:00 – Kids, marriages, blended family & starting Stoner Creek Records42:10 – Peter’s kids as musicians, YouTube University & discouraging music careers45:00 – AI & music (Suno, demos, soul vs. algorithms, using AI as a sketch pad)49:00 – Nashville growth, Lower Broadway grind & musician survival odds52:00 – Keyboard competition in Nashville & working live vs. studio54:40 – Social media flyers, AI graphics & authenticity in visual art57:10 – Zappa, Wackerman brothers, influences & mind‑bending arrangements1:00:40 – How Peter joined Lynyrd Skynyrd: the full audition and “nerf piano” story1:05:10 – Defining himself inside Skynyrd, Billy Powell’s parts & performance philosophy1:07:30 – Plugs: Stoner Creek Studio/Records, All Time Low Stars, socials & show wrapLinks.Peter’s Website: https://peterkeys.comPeter’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/PeterKeysPodcast Production: https://itsyourshow.coRich’s drum intensive: https://drumtensive.comThe Rich Redmond Show: https://richredmond.com/podcasts