Keith Ruckus
Owner - RuckusATX
Keith Ruckus is an Austin, TX based event manager and producer. With over 10 years in the entertainment industry, Keith has worked with companies such as SXSW (South By Southwest), Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and countless privately owned venues in central Texas.
On October 24th, 2017, Austin Mayor Steve Adler delivered a singular honor by making it "Keith Ruckus Day" by mayoral decree. The was awarded to Keith for "adding to the cultural zeitgeist" of the city with his "Macro-scale" events in music, film, and comedy.
In March of 2025 Keith was names a finalist for the "Austin Under 40 Awards" in the category of Arts, Music, & Entertainment - being recognized as a "change maker" in Austin, TX.
In his personal life
When he’s not on stage or orchestrating unforgettable events, Keith Ruckus is off collecting moments like souvenirs. You might spot him at the Sherwood Forest Faire in full regalia, quoting sea shanties into turkey legs, or tucked into a camp chair while “glamping” under the Texas stars with his two dogs (Killian and Finan) snoring at his feet. At home, he and his very patient wife, Alyssa, share evenings watching old movies and dreaming up the next big adventure.
The Ruckus Timeline
August 2023-Present
March 2015 -March 2020
January 2014 - July 2017
RuckusATX/Ruckus Karaoke was founded in August of 2023, when Heather Smith asked Keith if there was any low cost mobile karaoke companies in town. Never one to do a quick google search, Keith launched within 2 weeks.
Keith was the Entertainment Director for Alamo Drafthouse's Highball Night Club and other bars for the parent company. It was here that Keith learned a love for booking entertainment, singing karaoke horribly, and host unique and chaos filled stage shows weekly.
Until the pandemic ruined everything.
Keith owned and managed his own coffee shop "Cafe Ruckus" in Downtown Austin for years, before realizing that if he didn't have a mic in his hand: he wasn't doing what he was supposed to.