Keith Ward's first album, '3 Days Till Next Year,' was recorded at Syracuse University in 2005.

I’ve been a fan of Keith Ward‘s music ever since he and I were in the same class in Syracuse University’s music industry program six, seven years ago. While I was more interested in the marketing, production and management side of the business (I can’t sing or play an instrument besides the turntables), he was more interested in simply making the music. And he does it well.

If you’ve ever been a fan of the gentler side of Ben Folds’ piano rock or wanted to hear a slightly jazzier version of Matt Nathanson, then his adult pop-rock sound is right up your alley.

His 2005 debut, 3 Days Till Next Year, was recorded at Syracuse University and includes my personal favorite track “#1.” It was downloaded more than 70,000 times when iTunes featured it as the Free Download of The Week. After graduating from SU, he recorded his second album Take Your Time and took it to prestigious venues such as New York City’s Bowery Ballroom and Sullivan Hall as well as The Troubadour in London.

On Tuesday, the singer-songwriter released his third opus, Take It From Me, with bassist Mike Chiavaro and drummer Jared Schonig backing him up as the Keith Ward Trio. Co-produced by Ward and Justin King at King’s Vinegar Hill Sound in Brooklyn, NY, you can get the album on iTunes and Spotify Worldwide or preview it at keithwardmusic.com.

Or you can get your own copy for free…

First Run Records is holding a “Tell your friends giveaway!” The first 50 people who click the Facebook ‘like’ button at the bottom of keithwardmusic.com will get a free copy of the new album. Just email firstrunrecords@gmail.com afterwards to tell them where you would like your copy sent to.

Here’s Keith Ward performing “What It’s Like” from the new album, live at London’s Half Moon Putney:

Please support Keith by checking out his music. He’s a Central New York native and a graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School and Syracuse University. Also, not only is it important to support independent music (especially the artists making GOOD music!) but he’s always been an awesome, humble guy with a great sense of humor and a friendly smile for everyone. Happy listening!