John P. Kee Free Concert On August 23
John P. Kee, a Grammy-nominated gospel artist, and The New Life Community Choir will give a free concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Chesterfield Missionary Baptist Church in the Poplar community of Horry County, South Carolina.
Kee, who grew up in Durham, N.C. and started a community choir in the mid 1980s, has received numerous awards for his energetic, soul-stirring music, including more than 12 Stellar Awards (considered the Grammy award for gospel artists), two Billboard Music Awards and a Soul Train Award.
Kee, a married father of nine children who is the full-time pastor of New Life Fellowship Center in Charlotte, N.C., is probably best known for his extensive recording work with The New Life Community Choir. In 1995, Kee and the choir earned gold album sales for “SHOW UP!”
Since then, Kee has increasingly become a household name for gospel listeners who enjoy his music that always seems to meet them where they are.
“People enjoy his music ministry because of the anointing God has upon his life,” said Reggie Dyson, Kee’s friend and station manager of (REJOICE) WMIR-AM (at frequency 1200) in Little River. “John P. Kee is a down-to-earth person. He can relate to day-to-day issues that we go through. If you have been through any situation in your life, he has songs that can minister to you.”
Dyson said Kee is dedicated to helping communities and wanted to perform for the faithful on the Grand Strand for free. Dyson said Kee’s honorarium is usually $25,000.
“He has a heart for giving back, and that’s why God blesses him in his ministry because he gives back,” Dyson said. “You know, he just picked up the tab for the Rev. Timothy Wright’s church. He’s paying the mortgage on Wright’s church (until Wright returns).”
Wright, who is also a gospel artist, was critically injured in a vehicle collision July 4, about 60 miles west of Manhattan, N.Y.
The Brooklyn pastor’s wife was killed, as well as his grandson when their vehicle was hit by a driver, who also died, traveling in the wrong direction.
According to Wright’s MySpace page, he is still recuperating with a severe spinal cord injury.
Dyson said Kee’s presence in Horry County will help lift people’s spirits.
“I believe his concert will inspire people and encourage people and let them know that God will take care of them,” Dyson said. “It will revive folks.”
Chesterfield Missionary Baptist Church, at 8591 S.C. 90, is going to part of that revival fire Saturday, Dyson said.
“The concert is going to be off the chain,” Dyson said. “This event is something for the entire Myrtle Beach area and surrounding areas to come out and enjoy. It’s a great way to cap off the summer.”
Dyson said he is thankful that officials at Chesterfield Missionary Baptist Church, where the Rev. J.R. Matthews is pastor, wanted to host the event.
Doors will probably open about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
SOURCE: MyrtleBeachOnline.com
