Cleo Holds the Keys

With a name like that, when Aubrey learned of this place, she knew she had to see it for herself. Expecting a park, she was taken by surprise when her GPS directions took her past rows and rows of Section 8 housing, down a gravel drive towards nothing but more chain link fencing. Nearby stood a boarded-up boat house under the shadow of towering high-voltage power lines. No other soul was in sight save a lanky elderly man sitting on the porch of a humble abode at the corner awhile back. His bright red beanie punctuated the early March bluebird sky.

A little unsure of herself and her surroundings, she took heart when she finally saw the plaque, a small sign commemorating the historical site. Finally gratified that she had found the right place, she pulled out her banjo and played a few tunes in homage to all who had passed through. After taking in the spring sunshine and the mysterious quiet, she packed up and hopped in the car, preparing to finish the last five hours of her nine-hour journey home.

Just as she was rolling out, she noticed the man at the corner had begun sauntering her way. They met halfway down the gravel driveway, each eyeing the other a bit warily. But after brief and warm greetings were exchanged, Aubrey learned the old man’s name was Cleo, and he was really coming down in hopes of hearing some more music.

Of course, Aubrey did the natural thing. She turned around, got the banjo back out of the trunk and played some more. Cleo sang a tune, Aubrey played along, then Aubrey sang and Cleo danced. Human moments were shared between two strangers from vastly different histories and circumstances.

Then when it was really time to go, Aubrey got the courage to ask how one might get down to the water which was completely blocked from view by all the fencing.

“You have to have a key,” said Cleo.

“Well how do you get the key?”

“I have the key.”

And so this song was born.

Band Highlight

Cleo is driven along by the tom groove laid down by Kidron’s own Kevin Himes of Honeytown. For every song on our new album, Kevin studied the song notes and demos we provided him and then took the arrangement to the next level. This song in particular is one where his work shines and is just plain fun.

Kevin brought a boatload of positive energy to the project to accompany his meticulous preparation. We’re grateful to Honeytown for lending him to us. Check out Kevin’s drumming and accordion(!) work on their releases. We’re lucky that Kevin has some space to join us on a couple of shows this year, including the Central Ohio Folk Festival in Columbus last May and our debut at the Rialto Theater in Akron coming later this summer on August 21.

Listen here: "Cleo Holds the Keys" from Crooked Step, Open Gate

You can find the full album at Bandcamp starting June 6, 2025. All songs will follow on the streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc), trickling out through the summer.