As the founder and president of Indieheaven.com, Keith Mohr has worked with well over 2500 independent Christian artists, assisting them with marketing, promotions, distribution and lots of advice since 1997. But Mohr’s journey toward this internet endeavor began many years before.
Keith has known since 1987 that He was on a mission from God. Called out of the rock and roll scene near Washington, DC in a divine appointment with 2 prophetic individuals whom he had never met, Keith knew that one day he would lead a revolution within the Christian Music industry. It took until 1992 for Keith to get a taste of the industry, when he joined a popular CCM group, “Harvest.” Based in Lindale, TX, Keith toured with the group for two years and acted as road manager and keyboardist. In the office, Keith worked as a radio promoter, booking agent and public relations. When plans of developing a recording studio and discipleship training program did not come to pass, Keith knew it was time to move on.
In 2002, Keith developed a new website that allowed artists to add and manage their own content. Mohr also changed the name of his website to Indieheaven, which better reflected the mission and vision of the organization. At that time, Indieheaven was one of the first music sites on the internet to require member support, which was a different model than other music sites. Keith believed the only way a website would survive was not via investor capitol and subsequent return revenue through advertising, but by support of its members. After most early music dot coms became dot gone through numerous financial failures, the Indieheaven website continued to grow strong to this day, at almost 600 members strong.
Indieheaven’s members understand the value of being interdependent, enabling one another as they enable the organization to oversee the activity. Artists are coming together and realizing that camaraderie, not competition is paramount to success as an independent artist. Some artists on Keith’s site have gone onto being successful signed artists with major labels, and others have seen success as independents. To Mohr, it’s all good and all valid.
In August of 2003, a three album deal consisting of scripture memory verse/aerobics products for a major publisher brought Mohr to the Christian music capitol of the world, Nashville, TN. It didn’t take Keith long to make his way around town and cultivate strategic alliances with those he knew would be instrumental in the success of his mission.
In March of 2009, Mohr held his 6th annual conference for indie artists called the CIA Summit, which stands for Christian Independent Artists. The best teachers in their fields assembled and many independent artists attended. Many who have attended previous Summits say they are life changing. Mohr is changing the name of his conference to “Indie University.” The event will be held April 14-17, 2010 in Nashville, TN. For more info, visit, Indie University.
Keith has been married for 23 years and has 3 children and lives near Nashville, TN.