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| '''John P. Kee''' (born June, ]), is a Christian musician. | |||
| Pastor '''John P. Kee''' (born John Prince Kee in ], known as the "Prince of Gospel") is widely known as one of the most influential and well known gospel artists today. His 15 years plus career in gospel is a testament to his calling to praise God and minister to people through song. He is known for his ability to mix traditional gospel with modern contemporary gospel with his high, "James Brown-like" husky voice. Currently he has made a new CD released on December 5, 2005, entitled "The Reunion", which features some of the old members of his famed New Life Community Choir. | |||
| ==Early life== | |||
| ]Kee was the 15th child of 16 children. His parents were the late John Henry Kee, and Lizzie S. Kee who lives in Durham, NC. At home in Durham, music and attending church highlighted the family's weekly activities. John exhibited extraordinary talent at an early age, both vocally and instrumentally. An excellent student, John was placed in a special school for the musically gifted children in Winston Salem, NC, and he started his musical career at the age of 14. | |||
| John P. Kee was born the 15th out of 16 children in ]. At an early age he began to develop a musical talent, both instrumental and vocally. Because of his talent, began to go to the North Carolina School of the Arts in ]. At the age of 14, he moved to ] with his brothers, Wayne and Al, attending the Yuba College Conservatory School of Music in Marysville. During this time, he began to play with famous groups such as ] and Donald Byrd and the Blackboards. It was during this time that his life started to go downhill. A hard life would follow him from his native state of ] to ] and back. When he returned home, he resided in ] where he lived in the Double Oaks Community, a place known at the time for its violence and drug infested slums. It would take an act of violence (watching one of his friends murdered in a drug deal gone bad) to rededicate his life back to ]. He surrendered his life to Christ during a revival meeting and has since then, been on a steady increase. | |||
| == The New Life Community Choir == | |||
| John moved to Northern California, studying with brothers Al and Wayne, where his music skills flourished, attending the Yuba College Conservatory School of Music in Marysville. John P. Kee was so musically gifted that even though under age, he became involved with the area's top musicians, briefly performing with groups like Donald Byrd & the Blackbirds and Cameo. While living in Northern California, he had a chance to meet and play with numerous jazz greats, making him one of the youngest accomplished musicians! | |||
| In the mid 1980's, Kee formed a community choir in ]. Over time, the choir began to build success and traveled throughout the area. The choir, which also included some of his children, eventually grew to the world-renowned choir known as the New Life Community Choir, sometimes referred to as "New Life" or "NLCC" | |||
| == Calling to Ministry and the New Life Fellowship Center == | |||
| In his late teens, John drifted into a street lifestyle that brought him to Charlotte, NC, where he moved to the Double Oaks community and continued to slide down to a life of drugs and random violence. Kee began to turn his lifestyle around in his early-twenties after seeing a friend murdered in a cocaine deal gone bad. Surrendering to the Lord during a revival meeting at the PTL, he became involved with the New Life Fellowship Church. Devoting himself to gospel music, he began singing and formed the group New Life Community Choir. His first professional break came in 1985 when he became the first artist to be asked to record lead vocals on two tracks for James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop of America's annual mass choir recording. But the most memorable performance on any album would be his performance on Edwin Hawkins’s Music and Arts Seminar Give Us Peace, which he’s still remembered for today! | |||
| One night, while traveling with the choir in Michigan, he received his calling from God to be a preacher in his mid-twenties, and a few years later, he was ordained as a minister to preach the gospel of ]. In 1995 while ministering in ], he received a propehtic vision through Bishop Norman Wagner. In early 1995, Pastor Kee went forward and set his sights at building a Fellowship Center in ] to preach and teach and minister the Word of ] to the people in the community. He officially founded the New Life Fellowhip Center, where he accepted the call to minister and pastor of the church. It stands on the same ground where he once lead a life of crime and drugs. Pastor Kee does not accept a salary from the church, but is satisfied in knowing that the preaced word of ] has been brought forth. In December of ], he married the former Felice Sampson, and with this union, they are the parents of eight children. | |||
| == The Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir == | |||
| In 1987, he released his first album with the New Life Choir, ''Yes Lord'', which was recorded during a performance at the Brethren in Unity Youth Convention. In 1989 he released his debut solo album, ''Wait on Him''. Kee has continued since then to balance solo albums and recordings with the choir. The early '90s brought the beginning of what would be a flood of awards for Kee including more than a dozen Stellar Awards, 20 GMWA Excellence Awards, a Soul Train Award, and two Billboard Music Awards. In 1995, Kee and New Life Community Choir reached their first commercial peak with the award-winning gold album ''Show Up'' that was also nominated for a Grammy, as was his 1999 album ''Strength'', 2001 ''Not Guilty''(also a book entitled "Not Guilty... The Script") , 2002 ''Blessed By Association'', 2003 ''Power of Worship'', 2004 ''Color of Music'' and 2005 ''VIP Live At The Fellowship''. The Victory in Praise Mass Choir is formed from participants of Kee's VIP Conventions held late July and Early August each year. In addition, Kee has added a new feature to the VIP Conference by producing a compilation CD entitled "The New Artist Showcase", that features 16 new aspiring artists, giving them national exposure to the Gospel music industry. | |||
| In 1990, Pastor Kee founded the Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir, or "V.I.P." in order to fellowship among ministries, song writers, musicians and choir directors from all over the country. Since 1991, the V.I.P. choir has made record deals. | |||
| == Discography == | |||
| Kee was inducted into The National Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2005 . The inductees included Aretha Franklin, Rev. F.C. Barnes, Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires, Rev. Timothy Wright, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Rev. Dr. Lawrence C. Roberts and Dr. ]. | |||
| *In 1987, Kee debuted his solo album entitled, Yes Lord, recorded in the Brethern in Unity Youth Convention. | |||
| *In 1989, the New Life Community choir debuted with the album "Wait On Him." One of his famous tracks, "It Will Be Alright" came from this CD. | |||
| On June 10th, 2006, Pastor John P. Kee was honored as Theologian of the Year, a prestigious award recognizing him for his dedicated services to communities in North Carolina, as well as those affected by the devastating Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.The ceremony took place at The Hobby Center for Performing Arts in Houston, Texas. | |||
| *In 1990, the NLCC came out with the CD, "There is Hope", which was made to deaw attention with the problem of child abuse. | |||
| *Also in 1990, Kee made his second solo project, entitled, "Just Me This Time" in which one of the tracks, "I Miss You Dad" was a tribue to his late father. | |||
| Pastor Kee married Felice Sampson, and they have eight children. Together, they serve unselfishly in their ministry. He is the founder and full-time pastor of New Life Fellowship Center, and does not collect a salary. He continues to create innovative ministries that extend into the community. These ministries include: A FREE After-School Tutoring Program; Operation Bread Basket; Adopt-A-Family; Mentor Program, One-Step- Substance Abuse Program, Ex-Drug Dealers Association, WAIM; Midnight Court (Adult Basketball Ministry), Y-Stand; Kingdom League Youth Basketball, Flag Drill Team and Drum Line; Step Team; Senior’s Ministry (tackling adult illiteracy, Computer Skills and informing elderly on legal issues); Hispanic Ministry; Health and Wellness and several more which totals up to over 100 active ministries that serve his church and the surrounding communities! | |||
| *In 1991, NLCC came out with the project, "Wash Me." Three notable songs include "Wash Me", Standing in the Need of Prayer", and "Jesus is Real" which has been remixed by different gospel artists, most notably Michael Speaks. | |||
| *In 1991, the Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir came out with their first album, "Never Shall Forget." | |||
| Pastor John P. Kee and Felice ventured out to opened New Life Christian Academy School of the Arts and a Daycare in 2002. In the first year of the school, they enrolled 27 students. Initially, the grades ranged from Pre-K through the second grade. The second year NLCA School of the Arts enrolled 72 students increasing through the 6th grade. In 2004 as the school begin its third year, advancing to the 12th grade, it enrolled over 200 students. Pastor John P. Kee continues to give of himself, granting scholarships to children of the partakers in his congregation, making it possible for them to attend NLCA School of the Arts. | |||
| *In 1992, NLCC came out with the album, "We Walk By Faith." Among some of the famous gospel singers was famed gospel artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong. | |||
| *In 1993, the VIP choir came with their second C.D., "Lily in the Valley." | |||
| John P. Kee continues to find positive ways to impact his community, his home town and the whole world through the gospel music industry and his outreach efforts. He recently celebrated 20 career years of gospel music. | |||
| *In 1994, Pastor Kee came out with his third solo album, "Colorblind". | |||
| *In 1995, NLCC comes out with one of the most successful albums to date. The album was titled, "Show Up!" Notable songs include "Show Up!" and "He'll Welcome Me." | |||
| *In 1996, VIP came out with "Stand!" | |||
| *Also in 1996, NLCC comes out with their Christmas album, "A Special Christmas Gift." | |||
| *In 1997, NLCC comes out with another smash album, "Strength" which included Vanessa Bell Armstrong. A bulk of Kee's famous songs comes from this album, which included, "Strength", "Turn Around", "I Do Worship", "Lord Help Me to Hold Out"(A tribute to the late "King of Gospel" Rev. James Cleveland, "Thank You Lord", "Mighty God" and "Clap Your Hands." It is also noted that the album was almost titled, "Thursday Love." | |||
| *In 1998, VIP comes out with "Any Day." Two notable songs in the album are "Any Day" and "When the Gates." | |||
| *In 2000, three years after "Strength", NLCC comes out with their first double CD album, "Not Guilty." Deitrick Haddon is among one of the special performers in this album. Some notable songs include "Right Here", "I Believe", "Not Guilty", a remix of "I Do Worship" from the "Strength" C.D., and "Rain On Us", which was originally titled "God of Mercy" from an album he did with the Inner City Mass Choir. Also, comedian Ricky Smiley offers a track portraying an old church mother entitles, "One Phone Call" | |||
| *In 2001, VIP comes out with the album, "Mighty in the Spirit." | |||
| *In 2002, NLCC, now known as "New Life", comes with "Blessed By Association." Some notable songs include "Oh How Wonderous" and "I Won't Let Go." Also, a remix of "You Blessed Me" is on the album, including a very country song entitled "Just For Me." Tonex is the special musical guest in this album. | |||
| *In 2004, Kee makes his first solo album in ten years, entitled "The Color of Music." On the notable track, "Harvest", Doug and Melvin Williams offer background vocals. | |||
| *In 2005, the New Life Community Choir, old and new members, come back for their reunion CD entitled, "The Reunion." Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Tye Tribbit are among the special guests for this compilation CD which covers many of the choir's old and memorable songs. | |||
| ==External link== | ==External link== | ||
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Revision as of 08:28, 14 October 2006
Pastor John P. Kee (born John Prince Kee in 1962, known as the "Prince of Gospel") is widely known as one of the most influential and well known gospel artists today. His 15 years plus career in gospel is a testament to his calling to praise God and minister to people through song. He is known for his ability to mix traditional gospel with modern contemporary gospel with his high, "James Brown-like" husky voice. Currently he has made a new CD released on December 5, 2005, entitled "The Reunion", which features some of the old members of his famed New Life Community Choir.
Early life
John P. Kee was born the 15th out of 16 children in Durham, North Carolina. At an early age he began to develop a musical talent, both instrumental and vocally. Because of his talent, began to go to the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. At the age of 14, he moved to California with his brothers, Wayne and Al, attending the Yuba College Conservatory School of Music in Marysville. During this time, he began to play with famous groups such as Cameo and Donald Byrd and the Blackboards. It was during this time that his life started to go downhill. A hard life would follow him from his native state of North Carolina to California and back. When he returned home, he resided in Charlotte where he lived in the Double Oaks Community, a place known at the time for its violence and drug infested slums. It would take an act of violence (watching one of his friends murdered in a drug deal gone bad) to rededicate his life back to God. He surrendered his life to Christ during a revival meeting and has since then, been on a steady increase.
The New Life Community Choir
In the mid 1980's, Kee formed a community choir in Charlotte. Over time, the choir began to build success and traveled throughout the area. The choir, which also included some of his children, eventually grew to the world-renowned choir known as the New Life Community Choir, sometimes referred to as "New Life" or "NLCC"
Calling to Ministry and the New Life Fellowship Center
One night, while traveling with the choir in Michigan, he received his calling from God to be a preacher in his mid-twenties, and a few years later, he was ordained as a minister to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1995 while ministering in Ohio, he received a propehtic vision through Bishop Norman Wagner. In early 1995, Pastor Kee went forward and set his sights at building a Fellowship Center in Charlotte to preach and teach and minister the Word of God to the people in the community. He officially founded the New Life Fellowhip Center, where he accepted the call to minister and pastor of the church. It stands on the same ground where he once lead a life of crime and drugs. Pastor Kee does not accept a salary from the church, but is satisfied in knowing that the preaced word of God has been brought forth. In December of 1995, he married the former Felice Sampson, and with this union, they are the parents of eight children.
The Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir
In 1990, Pastor Kee founded the Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir, or "V.I.P." in order to fellowship among ministries, song writers, musicians and choir directors from all over the country. Since 1991, the V.I.P. choir has made record deals.
Discography
- In 1987, Kee debuted his solo album entitled, Yes Lord, recorded in the Brethern in Unity Youth Convention.
- In 1989, the New Life Community choir debuted with the album "Wait On Him." One of his famous tracks, "It Will Be Alright" came from this CD.
- In 1990, the NLCC came out with the CD, "There is Hope", which was made to deaw attention with the problem of child abuse.
- Also in 1990, Kee made his second solo project, entitled, "Just Me This Time" in which one of the tracks, "I Miss You Dad" was a tribue to his late father.
- In 1991, NLCC came out with the project, "Wash Me." Three notable songs include "Wash Me", Standing in the Need of Prayer", and "Jesus is Real" which has been remixed by different gospel artists, most notably Michael Speaks.
- In 1991, the Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir came out with their first album, "Never Shall Forget."
- In 1992, NLCC came out with the album, "We Walk By Faith." Among some of the famous gospel singers was famed gospel artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
- In 1993, the VIP choir came with their second C.D., "Lily in the Valley."
- In 1994, Pastor Kee came out with his third solo album, "Colorblind".
- In 1995, NLCC comes out with one of the most successful albums to date. The album was titled, "Show Up!" Notable songs include "Show Up!" and "He'll Welcome Me."
- In 1996, VIP came out with "Stand!"
- Also in 1996, NLCC comes out with their Christmas album, "A Special Christmas Gift."
- In 1997, NLCC comes out with another smash album, "Strength" which included Vanessa Bell Armstrong. A bulk of Kee's famous songs comes from this album, which included, "Strength", "Turn Around", "I Do Worship", "Lord Help Me to Hold Out"(A tribute to the late "King of Gospel" Rev. James Cleveland, "Thank You Lord", "Mighty God" and "Clap Your Hands." It is also noted that the album was almost titled, "Thursday Love."
- In 1998, VIP comes out with "Any Day." Two notable songs in the album are "Any Day" and "When the Gates."
- In 2000, three years after "Strength", NLCC comes out with their first double CD album, "Not Guilty." Deitrick Haddon is among one of the special performers in this album. Some notable songs include "Right Here", "I Believe", "Not Guilty", a remix of "I Do Worship" from the "Strength" C.D., and "Rain On Us", which was originally titled "God of Mercy" from an album he did with the Inner City Mass Choir. Also, comedian Ricky Smiley offers a track portraying an old church mother entitles, "One Phone Call"
- In 2001, VIP comes out with the album, "Mighty in the Spirit."
- In 2002, NLCC, now known as "New Life", comes with "Blessed By Association." Some notable songs include "Oh How Wonderous" and "I Won't Let Go." Also, a remix of "You Blessed Me" is on the album, including a very country song entitled "Just For Me." Tonex is the special musical guest in this album.
- In 2004, Kee makes his first solo album in ten years, entitled "The Color of Music." On the notable track, "Harvest", Doug and Melvin Williams offer background vocals.
- In 2005, the New Life Community Choir, old and new members, come back for their reunion CD entitled, "The Reunion." Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Tye Tribbit are among the special guests for this compilation CD which covers many of the choir's old and memorable songs.