Artists
John P. Kee
John's life turned around by his early 20s when the senseless violence that surrounded him became intolerable, and his material possessions no longer offered solace. Giving his life to the Lord at a revival meeting in 1981, he entered into successful and complete recovery, returning to the church and offering his musical gifts on a regular basis. He was asked to lead a local vocal ensemble, the Combination Choir, and spent much of the '80s directing that group, as well as writing hit songs for Gospel luminaries that included Daryl Coley, the Hawkins Family, and James Cleveland.
As one of the early musical visionaries behind the '80s marriage of a traditional choir sound and soaring soloists, with a modern, R&B rhythm section, John and his choir were received with the overwhelming enthusiasm of his audiences and congregations, giving him confidence that he was onto something major.
John's own star rose as the Combination Choir grew and blossomed into the first incarnation of NLCC in 1987. A major label recording contract, and John and NLCC’s debut release, Yes Lord,followed in 1987. The album was a respectable ice-breaker for a new act, but it was Wait on Him, two years later, that vaulted John into the monarchy of modern gospel.
In 1994, John surrendered to a spiritual tugging toward church ministry that he'd been feeling for some time, and founded his now-thriving, 3,000-member-plus, New Life Community Fellowship, in Charlotte. John says that his dual roles now in music and church ministry have nurtured each other, and served only to strengthen his resolve to truly make a difference in the world around him and the lives he touches.
With a trophy case full of Grammy, Stellar and GMWA Awards, and John still holds a vision that goes far beyond personal acclaim and achievement. "There's so much hurting and suffering in this world," he says, "and the only way to not be overwhelmed by it is to know you're doing something about it. Our church is reaching out to the community with tutors for school kids, food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless and elderly, a late-night basketball program for teenagers.
