When asked to describe himself in one word, Derrick McKee technically broke the rules.

“There’s a line in a Billy Joel song which, in a roundabout way, defines who I am,” said McKee. “In his song ‘Famous Last Words’ Billy sings, ‘There’s nothing left for a dreamer now, only one final serenade.’ Well, I don’t believe that line and I never have. You see, I’m definitely a dreamer and - as a dreamer – you always have to believe that there is something left to achieve or conquer. Otherwise, you aren’t a dreamer at all. You’re defeated. I think the world needs more dreamers.”

Maybe the word, “philosopher,” is appropriate.

Nonetheless, the 23-year old musician is –

“Slash-songwriter,” interrupts McKee. “Actually, ‘musician-slash-songwriter-slash-producer-slash-businessman’. That’s technically one word.”

OK…the 23-year-old musician/songwriter/producer/businessman was finally ready to dive headfirst into a music career after his debut album, Ticket to Somewhere, was released.

The up-beat, hook-filled album which McKee wrote, co-produced, and released under his award winning label, Navway Records, combines elements of the singer/songwriter and pop/rock genres in a very unique way which makes for a very enjoyable listening experience. The album was also a long time coming.

“Most of the songs on TTS were written when I was a senior in high school. They’re songs about hope, and love (or the lack thereof), and discovering who you are. I’ve been performing them for a while, but I didn’t get a chance to record and release them properly until I was in graduate school, almost five years later.”

That chance came when McKee, a WVU College of Business and Economics graduate twice over, heard about a statewide business plan competition open to every student in the state.

“I had always planned on pursuing music once I finished up college, but starting up my own record label… the thought never occurred to me until I heard about the competition.”

It’s a good thing McKee heard about it, as he quickly put his undergraduate degree to work, piecing together what would eventually become a 75 page document which took top honors at the 5th annual West Virginia Open for Business Plan Competition.

“Phase one was recording the album so that I had a tangible product for the competition. Phase two was winning the competition so that I could appropriately release and promote the album. Phase three is finally getting out there on stage every night and jamming for my fans!”

On September 15th, Derrick started working on his new albumn at Studio L in Weirton, WV. The new albumn, predominately country, will be release in early 2008. The lead single "What Doesn't Kill You" will be released in late 2007. Click on his My Space Link and have a listen!