Keith Ralph "KeKe" McCullough

Keith Ralph "KeKe" McCullough passed away peacefully on April 24, 2013 in his beloved Austin, Texas. KeKe was born in Houston on November 9, 1952 to Adrienne Camp McCullough and J.W. "Red" McCullough, Jr.

He was a remarkable human being and enormously talented. He had a "steel trap" mind that could recall everything he ever learned from names to facts, figures to dates, places to events, and all forms of trivia and music.

A natural born comedian, from a very early age he could always find a way to make people laugh. He never used crude or off color humor, or humor at someone else's expense - just a genuinely unique and hilarious style all his own.

Offered a recording contract with Mercury Records when he was 12 years old, KeKe was an extraordinary self-taught musician, songwriter, singer, and performer. He initially studied trumpet with Major E. A. Lightfoot, chartist for the legendary John Phillip Sousa. At 13 he went on to study with Kit Reid, First Trumpet for the Houston Symphony. At 15 he set in with Booker T and the MGs (their bass player Donald "Duck" Dunn was a bass player he studied and learned from). At 19 he signed recording, managing, and publishing contracts with Zebra Records. Over the years he performed and recorded with music legends Carl Perkins, Paul Simon, John Fogerty, and Les Paul, to name a few. He was a contributing musician on Carl Perkins' last album, "Go Cat Go," which featured contributions from Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Johnny Cash, John Fogerty, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Bono, and Carl Perkins.

KeKe was a favorite among Austin musicians - a "Musician's Musician," he knew many of the great local players and could get them to turn out and play with him at the drop of his hat. As founder of the KLBJ All-Stars, he was featured on the radio for 13 years at the University of Texas – Texas A&M Breakfast Bash. He was versed in many forms and styles of music and musical instruments. He was a virtuoso on guitar, bass, flute, and trumpet. KeKe had a fantastic and versatile singing voice, which would range from raspy blues to smooth jazz and everything in between.

As owner of KM Audio (for over 25 years), he designed and installed high-end audio and video systems, as well as home entertainment theaters, in some of the finest homes and businesses in Austin. His ability to gauge the quality of sound from audio equipment was incredible.

In recent years, Keke and Alicia started a small business called "Sing Your Heart Out" to lead sing-a-longs with their musical duets to residential centers and private gatherings. They loved engaging audiences in familiar music and were well received by many organizations in Austin.

KeKe was a lifelong student of philosophy, psychology, human behavior, religion, and spiritualism. He never stopped learning. He was always open, fair minded, accepting, and tolerant of everyone he met. He was loved by everyone who was fortunate to have known him.

A loving and devoted father and brother, KeKe will be forever missed. He was truly a gentle man to all of God's creatures. He loved life with a passion that was unequaled.

KeKe is survived by his daughters Kelly Elizabeth McCullough and fiancé Luke Garza, and Rachel Allison McCullough, former wife Julie Armstead Ater, his sister Alicia McCullough Jarry, her husband, Robert, sister Adrienne "Missy" McCullough, her partner Keni Galluchi, his brother James William McCullough, III, his partner Meli Cook, niece Heather Jarry, her husband Doug Marcis, great niece Eliana Marcis, nephew Quinn Pinnix and wife Brittany and great nephew Brody Pinnix.

Services and burial will be held Monday, April 29th in Houston at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in the Chapel of the Angels Family will receive guests starting 1:30 with service following at 2:30.

Pallbearers include: Carlton Saunders, Ralph Nance, Mark Turner, Al Bettis, David White, Quinn Pinnix and Jim McCullough, Keet Lewis officiating, Kit Reid, Jr., musician.

The family wishes to thank the following: Francis Campone and his prayer group, Liz Gordon, Sandy Eckles and friends, Dr. George Willeford and KeKe's devoted and gifted physician Dr. Christy Rissinger of Seton Topfer Clinic.

In lieu of flowers you may donate in Keith's memory to Seton Topfer Clinic c/o Seton Fund, 1201 West 38th, Austin, TX 78705

A celebration of KeKe's life will be held in Austin in the near future. Details to be announced.

"Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"