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Pastor John P. Kee (born John Prince Kee on June 4, 1962) is an American gospel singer and pastor. 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 soulful, 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 prophetic vision through Bishop Norman Wagner. In early 1995, Pastor Kee went forward and set his sights on 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 Fellowship Center, where he accepted the call to minister as 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 preached 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 Brethren 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.