Singer-songwriter and producer Kris Howell, professionally known as Kris KeyZ, accepts an award from Steve Adler, mayor of Austin, Texas. Recently, the city designated Dec. 7 as Kris KeyZ day in recognition of the Athens native's musical talent and contributions to the Austin community.

Athens’ own Kris Howell, professionally known as Kris KeyZ, has made a musical name for himself in his new home city of Austin, Texas, where the mayor recently designated a day in his honor.

KeyZ said his journey from Athens High School star basketball player to one of Austin’s best-loved artists started when his father, Roderick, taught KeyZ how to play the piano at Bright Hope Church, where Roderick was the pastor.

KeyZ was four or five, to the best of his recollection, and remembers how the “the touch and feel” of the keys resonated with something deep inside of him.

He said he learned at lightning speed, easily adapting to the congregation’s weekly musical selections. One week, he might be playing traditional hymns, the next he’d be keeping rhythm with the youth choir as they belted out a Kirk Franklin favorite.

He joined the drum line at AHS, which exposed him to an orchestra of instruments, an experience that would come in handy once he started producing music for other artists. It also landed him in a lot of trouble.

“I was always getting kicked out of class for tapping on stuff,” KeyZ said. “I don’t know what I would have done without Dan Havely (the band’s director at that time). He always took the time to help me channel my musical energy.”

KeyZ played basketball just about as hard as he played his music, and he was sure that he would end up in the NBA one day. He followed that path for a while, earning an athletic scholarship to Wallace State and another at Tarleton University in Texas.

Unfortunately, when a brief stint on a semi-pro basketball team out of Guaymas, Mexico, didn’t lead to an offer from the NBA, he took a friend up on an offer to move to Austin.

“I figured, ‘Why not?’ Austin is considered the capital of live music,” he said.

Armed with a head full of unwritten songs, he quickly learned how to use studio equipment and played live every chance he got.

“I built up my name and reputation, working with local artists,” he said, “They started supporting me by sharing and buying my music.”

Over the next few years, KeyZ career blossomed. He built a studio in his home, married a Texan named Trisha and went on tour with Tje Austin, a former contestant on NBC’s singing competition, “The Voice.” In between tour dates and live gigs, he started cutting his own records, drawing inspiration for the lyrics from the people around him.

“As I travel around the world, I get to meet all sorts of people,” he said. “I draw inspiration from watching people and the conversations we share.”

KeyZ said his music doesn’t have a genre but instead flows easily from hip-hop to R&B to rap.

“I always try to keep it inspirational, and I want my songs to have a message,” he added.

He recently recorded “Change,” a song that speaks out against police brutality.

Always just a few years and miles from his Southern church roots, KeyZ makes it a point to give back to his community. For the last two years, he has teamed up with other Austin musicians to host a free barbecue and concert in Peace Park.

“Last year, my dad flew down and helped me barbecue,” he said. “It was a great way to bring people together and give artists a platform where they could perform.”

This caught the attention of Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler who declared Dec. 7 as Kris KeyZ Day. The city also gifted KeyZ with a hand-painted piano he now uses in his recording studio.

KeyZ isn’t much for numbers. He doesn’t keep track of how many times his recordings have been downloaded, but he remembers every artist he has helped along in their careers. So far, he’s produced music for 50 up-and-coming musicians.

“I’m going to keep doing music and working on my craft, but what I really want is to use my platform to help other artists be successful,” he said.