After graduating from UCLA, Keith, like many, didn't know what to do as far as career. He hung around McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, which at that time was the Mecca of acoustic music. It was there that he came across an ad by a band seeking a guitar player. The only details were that it was a "progressive groove band." After a few rehearsals, Keith joined the band which was called The Panic Choir. Only months later, after a string of musicians had passed through the band, Keith became a core member, and the band relocated to Austin, Texas. In Austin, Keith utilized his electric/acoustic guitar, mandolin, dobro playing and vocals for the band, and after only 6 months he was rated in the Austin Music Awards’ “Top Ten Best” musician category.  Keith and The Panic Choir released their debut CD entitled "Soul and Luna" on the Crystal Clear label in late 1993.  Critics called Keith’s electric & acoustic guitar playing “amazing”, “distinctive”, and “impressive”.

In 1993, Keith departed company with The Panic Choir, and relocated to the Carolinas where he formed Bear Claw Music and was soon thereafter included in the North Carolina Arts Council and South Carolina Arts Commission’s roster of touring artists.  His jaw-dropping fingerstyle guitar earned him a fellowship from the SC Arts Commission for music performance (the first non-classical musician to attain this status).  He was then made a residency instructor for the SC Arts Commission's Arts in Education program.