CAMDEN — A major gospel recording artist will visit the area as a stop on his latest tour.
Gospel legend John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir will headline the “Worship on Wednesday” event at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium. The show is set for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 and will feature area gospel groups Chosen and Grace Justified.
The event is organized by Jeremy “Jayo” Owens of Owens Productions, and proceeds from the event will go to the Michael Hayes Scholarship Fund.
The Michael Hayes Scholarship fund was established by Owens, Hayes’ brother, and members of the family in his memory. Owens said that he has tried to host a concert or an event each year to raise money for the scholarship to present to area students. In the past, the event has welcomed the likes of The Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams and Leandria Johnson.
Owens said that Kee has performed in El Dorado before, and that he recently performed at the Stellar Awards. Kee is embarking on his “I made it out” tour and will be in Arkansas to perform in Little Rock on Sept. 26.
“It just worked out right,” Owens said. “He’s going to stop by here that Wednesday. We know that’s a church night, so we are working with a lot of the churches so people can come out and attend and we all have a great time in worship together. John P. Kee is a real gospel legend. He has been doing this for a long time.”
Kee is a musician, writer and singer from North Carolina. He attended the Yuba College Conservatory School of Music in California where he played for various groups such as Cameo and The Blackbyrds. Kee returned to North Carolina and found himself in an area that is known for its crime rate. After seeing one of his friends murdered in a drug deal, he rededicated his life to God.
Kee’s career spans back to the mid 80’s where he formed the New Life Community Choir which also includes his own children. He is the founder of the Victory in Praise Music and Arts Seminar Mass Choir and is known for mixing traditional gospel with modern contemporary gospel. He is an inductee into the Christian Music Hall of Fame
In addition to headlining the event, “The Prince of Gospel” is also looking to perform with a choir made up of local singers. Owens shared that Kee reached out to him and said that he would love to have a community choir perform his latest song “I made it out” with him during the show.
Tickets are available at Diane Epps State Farm and can also be purchased online at eventbright.com. There are church discount ticket prices available.
For more information about how to perform with Kee, contact Owens at 870-814-8484