Getting To Know Kenyon Grey

Artist Name:  Kenyon Grey

Genres: I write in many different styles, CCM/AC, country, rock, americana… I do feel Christian music chose me. Or maybe God chose me to write Christian music. I tend to write uplifting lyrics, patriotic lyrics, and messages of hope with a Godly focus. I think that’s something the world needs right now. There is a lot of division. So, I feel called to use my musical gifts to bring a message unity and love. It’s time to heal.

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Hobbies/Interests Apart from Music:

The easy answer is fatherhood. I know, boring! But, I love being a dad. Trust me, it is never dull. I’m also a screenwriter and a film director and have had three scripts place in screenplay contests. I try to stay Christ-focused in everything that I do. It is hard in that industry. If you asked my kids, they’d say I’m a bit of a body-centric, clean-living, weightlifting maniac, who believes the body is a temple, and I can get a little preachy about it.

Last Netflix Binge:

I recently binge-watched two series on the same night. Marvel’s “Falcon and The Winter Soldier” and the “Lost In Space” reboot! Both are great, but I got no sleep.

Musical Influences:

So, I met Billy Spoon when I was 14 years old, he was like the older brother I never had. He introduced me to the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Which got me into all the hair bands from the 1980s. I also got into Oingo Boingo and the Fixx. In country music, I’d say, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and Carrie Underwood. Growing up, I got into John Denver, Reba McEntire, and Kenny Rogers. Of course, my Christian influences are Phil Keaggy, Keith Green, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. I also enjoy listening to Jeremy Camp, Phillips Craig and Dean, Casting Crowns… So yeah, there is a lot.

Very First Musical Purchase:

The Story of “Star Wars” Original 1977 Soundtrack LP. It was awesome! It contained a condensed version of the movie using actual dialogue, sound effects and John Williams’s film score. WOW!

What led you to pursue a career or ministry in music? 

It was at a time of great conflict and I was seeking direction for my life and a way forward. I had a lot of questions. Was I a firefighter who sometime sang and ministered? Or was it something more? Was this a true calling into a music ministry and a possible career? Or was it a hobby? One Sunday morning our paster gave an alter call for those seeking these kinds of answers and I went up for prayer. I hadn’t yet made it to the alter when I was approached by this dude. He came out on nowhere, spoke kind of gruff, and he asked if I was in music. Dumbfounded I replied, yes. He said God had led over to tell me to not worry about the small stuff, and don’t get caught up with the technical aspects of things, but this is your ministry and the way he has called you to go. Then the guy turned on a dime and left me standing there alone. I had never seen this man before, and never saw him again after that encounter. But two weeks later I got offered my first record deal. So, the calling just hunted me down and everything fell into place.

Do you remember that moment when you realized you wanted to make an actual career out of music?

I think every kid with a talent dreams of making it a career! I did. I was 14 years old, listening to the Beatles White Album. I had just written my three-chord Christian contemporary concerto, with one melody and one lyrical phrase driving it – “The Dove of Love.” It was a hit! I wanted it right then and there.

What are your hopes for the new project?

Well, my want is to advance God’s message of hope, love, forgiveness, acceptance, and triumph to a fearful world through a music album release, television, concert tour and film event, retelling the final days of Christ on Earth. It’s the great commission told in 11-songs.

Matthew 28:18-19 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.”

The Glory Road Jesus Tour is an ultra-immersive, next generation live concert presentation that blurs the line between film and reality! In the vein of Universal Studios Terminator 2: 3D attraction – live performers will interact with scripted film scenes of Jesus’ final days on earth, depicted on 3 cinematic screens. The show will include pyrotechnics, stage lights, lasers, holograms, strobes, fog, a strobing 30-foot cross, with a live band.

If you could potentially tour with any other artist or band (that you haven’t already), who would you choose and why?

So, Rob Montes (RPM Live Agency) has just confirmed that Kenyon Grey is joining the Anything Is Possible Tour, and we’re doing some dates with two great artists – All Together United and Jay Powell. For a complete listing of dates go to www.kenyongrey.com

But, my dream team of artists I’d love to share a stage with are… Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Mercy Me……. WOW! What a treat that would be.

What was the last song you listened to on your playlist or stereo?

I have two fantastic songs for you, literally I just listened to them… “Anything Is Possible” by All Together United and “Holy” by Billy Spoon. Check them out!

What was the last book you read?

2 Samuel 17 – no Joke! TD Jakes preached a message, and I was studying that scripture. The Bishop presented the story of David and Goliath in a fresh new way. David was simply bringing his brothers lunch and had no idea he’d be fighting a giant for his kingdom, his very future, his crown, and the promise. But when the opportunity presented itself, David charged the field with stones that he picked up from a nearby stream and using a meal bag as a sling. Bishop Jakes points out that our opportunities in life will always be preceded by a warring giant. We won’t be expecting it, or armed for the battle, we’ll be completely unprepared, but God expects us to charge the field anyway. Because our victories, and what we have been preordained to accomplish, lies on the other side of that giant.

How did you arrive at the name of your new album?

The Glory Road was conceived when I was awoken from a sound sleep. I was supposed to be at the firehouse in a few hours, but I heard music coming right out of Heaven, right out of glory, several songs, with drums beats, guitars, piano, strings, horns etc. I heard singing, melodies, harmonies, lyrics, I call it ‘Angel’s Song’. Then the Lord spoke to my spirit that he wanted me to write these songs and I went on a 20-hour writing spree at the fire station that took me well into the next morning. It was something extraordinary because I was assigned on one of the busiest trucks in the city, except that day we got no calls. So, I kept writing and when I got home, I recorded everything onto a four-track cassette recorder. Then I sat on it for years, waiting for the right time to go into the studio. Yet, over those years God kept adding more songs. So, it has been quite a road travelled. The Glory Road.

What can listeners expect in terms of the sound, style and lyrics?

It’s an 11-song message of hope, from a God who loved his creation so much that he came down in the form of man, via his son Jesus Christ, and sacrificed himself on a cross so we might be saved. He felt every bit of it, the sting of mankind’s sin and rage. Yet, he still forgave us, even while dying on the cross. The music is going to take the listener on that journey, it’s collection of upbeat celebratory songs that grow more dramatic and impassionate the closer we get to the cross.

Who are your biggest musical influences? 

I’d say Phil Keaggy, Keith Green, Amy Grant, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mercy Me …

What was the songwriting process like on this record?

Well, I’ve already spoke about the moment it all started. I’ll just say the album has been years in the making. It’s an amalgamation of periods in my life, the styles I wrote in and even transitioned away from. The songs have really developed over time and are being presented in a fully fleshed out exposition.

Are there any underlying themes or threads that tie this project together?

It’s the Gospel of Christ played out in musical format.

How important is your faith or spirituality within your music? 

I’d say faith and spirituality are the cornerstone of any Christian artist. I’ve been through many musical iterations over the years, trying to find my way as a younger man, maybe more desperate for success as an artist. I won’t say I’ve compromised myself musically; I won’t go that far, but maybe it’s why I put this record on hold for so long. It was developing as I was developing. I have let people put me in a box at times, they’ve watered down my lyrics and directed towards a more secular audience. That really tested my faith. These folks were trying to help and wanted me to appeal to the masses. But, in my spirit, I felt redirected. With this record, I feel I’m finally back to where I want to be. I feel realigned.

Here are some of the stations that have Kenyon’s music in rotation:

·       KALA 106.1 FM Davenport Iowa
·       Racman Christian Radio Yreka California
·       Broken Chain FM Saskatoon Canada
·       StarHit 1 FM Saskotoon Canada
·       Nova Star Radio Seattle Washington
·       WBNI Christian Radio St. Thomas
·       Christian Nation FM Zambia
·       HIS Kingdom Radio Florida