Kenna's Bio |
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News
Flash...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The 2005 Southern Gospel Music Awards was held on October 29, and Kenna won Songwriter of the Year. Congratulations, Kenna!
- Favorite Songwriter: Kenna West
Song of the Year: "Get About God's Business" by Karen Peck and New River (written by Kenna and Twila Labar
- In the songwriter category, Kenna is nominated along with Bill Gaither, Gerald Crabb (The Crabb Family), Rodney Griffin (Greater Vision), and Kirk Talley.
2004
Dove Awards ~ Kenna had 7 songs on 4 nominated projects!
Southern
Gospel Album of the Year:
Best of Friends • Joyce Martin McCollough, Karen Peck Gooch,
Sheri Easter; Spring Hill Music
Great Day • The Hoppers; Spring Hill Music
Country Album of the Year:
Refuse To Be Afraid • LordSong; Daywind Music Group
Children's Musical Album of the Year:
Songtime Kids • All New Praise Songs; Loving Care Children
Be listening to Christian radio!
Now Singling:
Get About God's Business • Karen Peck and New River
His Love Is Greater Than Your Sin • LordSong
We Are America • Larry Ford
If She Could • Sheri Easter on the Best of Friends CD reached
#3 on the charts!
Free Indeed • The Parker Trio
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Just
Released ...
•The Talley Trio's 2006 new release entitled "Rise Above" is now available!
Listen for two cuts written by Kenna on the project- "Red Letter Day" and "That's Why I Believe."
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Check out the latest project by RSI Music Group's bluegrass group, Harvest. Their brand new CD entitled "Pressing On" has a song by Kenna called "Keeping The Old Man Down." (www.rsimusicgroup.com)
• Look for the new release by Brain Free and Assurance called "It's So God!"
It has a song by Kenna called "Keeping The Old Man Down."
• The Spring Hill Music Group has just released a greatest hits project on Jeff and Sheri Easter called "Miles and Milestones." It contains the #1 hit penned by Kenna entitled, "We're Not Gonna Bow."
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Kenna and Kerry have produced a new CD entitled ''We Are America"
for Grammy winning Gaither video regular, Larry Ford. Go
here
to read a review! Larry is not only using Kenna's song as the
title for his new project, but is also recording "Get About
God's Business," written by Kenna and friend Twila LaBar.
For more info on Larry, visit LarryFord.com.
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Kenna & Larry Ford @ NQC 2003 |
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HOT
OFF THE PRESS...
• Kenna was a judge for GMA's 31st Annual "Music In The Mountains" at Estes Park.
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Kenna and her family were recently guests of Dr. Jerry Falwell at
Thomas Road Baptist Church when Kenna appeared on his TV
program, "The Old Time Gospel Hour." 20 years ago, she gave her
heart to Christ while watch the program. It was an added honor for
Kenna to sing and address the students of Liberty University.
(Thank you Kathy Rusk and Callie Penn)
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Kenna with Bill Gaither at the National Quartet Convention, 2003.
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The new Spring Hill celebrity Trio, "Best
Of Friends," Karen Peck Gooch, Joyce Martin, and Sheri
Easter, have cut FOUR of Kenna's songs on their new CD!
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"I'm a Mom" was performed LIVE at the 2003 DOVE
AWARDS!
• "If She Could" will be the next single off the project,
written by Kenna about her grandmother's struggle with Alzhemer's.
Les Butler, of Solid Gospel Radio, said, "It is the most well crafted
song I have ever heard."
•
The Hoppers performing "We Are America" at the National
Quartet Convention. (Copyright 2003 Singing News. Used by permission)
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Latest
Releases...
• Look for "Count It All Joy," the new project by Susie Luchsinger, sister of Reba McEntire, on New Haven Records. Kenna wrote the title cut!
• NOW AVAILABLE! Spring Hill's newest compilation disc, "Shout! Victory," with Kenna and Twila Labar's song "Get About God's Business," recorded by Karen Peck and New River. Look for it at your local Christian retailer.
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NOW AVAILABLE! Spring Hill's "Shout Glory" compilation disc, with two songs written by Kenna in this 30 song gospel music collection: "I'm A Mom" by Best Of Friends, and "We Are America" by The Hoppers.
• Spring Hill Music Group's Karen Peck and New River have
just released their newest recording, "For His Glory," with 2 songs
penned by Kenna, entitled "It Was Mercy," and "Get About God's Buisness," co-written with good friend Twila McBride.
• The Hopper's new Spring Hill release, "Great Day" is on shelves now at your local Christian bookstore. Gospel music's
favorite family group joined with producer Larry Goss to
make their best recording to date. Listen for Kenna's song, "We
Are America," which Spring Hill Magazine calls "a soul stirring
patriotic anthem," and one of the CD's "stand out cuts."
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Daywind recording artists, LordSong, have just released
their new CD, entiled "Refuse To be Afraid." This CD contains
a song written by Kenna entitled, "His Love Is Greater."
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Look for this children's CD from Spring Hill in your local
Christian Bookstore! "Songtime Kids" is a high energy praise
and worship CD that contains a song written by Kenna entitled "His
Name Is Jesus!" (Thanks Kevin) |
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FAMILY...
Kenna
is happily married to Kerry West, son of country music legend,
Dottie West. As corny as it may sound, they actually met in church,
and later fell in love while working on a recording project together.
Once married, they began to minister together, performing in concert.
Now, years later, their careers have grown to include a rapidly
growing recording business. In 1999, Kerry opened the doors of
his life long dream, "West House Recording Studio," where the
couple produce and record their own music, artist demos, and an
array of other projects, ranging from church choirs to big band,
from worship to country.
A
dedicated wife and mother, Kenna enjoys home schooling their son,
Graham. She feels that her family is the most important part of
her life, and her foremost calling, before either music or ministry.
"I've had the opportunity to minister along side of some of the
most notable pastors and teachers in the world. I have gone to
some wonderful places, and have done some exciting things. But
the MOST rewarding moment of my life was praying with my son,
Graham, to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior, and watching my
husband baptize him. It can't get better than that!"
A
FUN FAMILY MOMENT.
It
was 1994, and the couple were extras in the CBS "Movie
Of The Week" based on the life of Dottie West, entitled "Big Dreams
and Broken Hearts," starring Michelle Lee.
"CBS
interviewed Kerry one night after shooting the final scene," says
Kenna. "Now mind you, I was very pregnant. Matter of fact, we
can always find ourselves in the movie by looking for my tummy.
Kidding. But there WAS a funny situation that came from that experience...
Fast forward a month... We were in the hospital delivering our
son, really into breathing and eating ice chips. I just HAPPENED
to look up at the television, and there we were, being interviewed
on 'CBS This Morning!' We cracked up, watching ourselves
on national television from the Labor and Delivery Unit!"
OUR
GREATEST TREASURE.
"Of
all that we have done, accomplished, sown...everything lines up
behind this one moment: Praying with our son to ask Jesus Christ
into his heart. It was the greatest moment of our lives. What
a comfort to know that our son has a heart for God. And as parents,
we can daily continue to cultivate that seed. It is our richest
blessing and our greatest treasure."
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MUSIC...
Dove
Award Nominated Songwriter.
• For her number one hit performed by Jeff and Sheri
Easter, entitled "We're Not Gonna Bow."
• Wrote the title cut on the 2001 double-Dove Award
nominated CD, "A Taste of Grace," by Peck and New
River.
• Wrote the title cut on the 2003 double-Dove Award
nominated CD, "Triumph," by Peck and New River.
• As a writer for the Spring Hill Music Group, a Bill
Gaither Publishing Company, Kenna has over a dozen cuts
to her credit this year.
Cammy
Award Nominated Performer.
• For her #1 Big Band single, "Who Wouldn't Love You."
• Her nominations include: "2001 Female Vocalist of
the Year" and "2001 Favorite New Artist."
Recording Artist.
• She has over a dozen recording projects to her credit.
• Producer and arranger for WestHouse Productions.
• A sought after vocalist for publishers, songwriters,
recording artists, and producers.
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Featured artist on Maranatha Music's "Praise 19" with
Bruce Carroll and Kelly Willard.
National Radio.
• Vocalist for the 2001 National Pizza Hut radio
ad campaign.
Principal
Performer.
• In the Big Band production "Moments to Remember"
featuring Steve Gatlin at the Gatlin Brothers Theater
in Myrtle Beach, SC. |
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GOD
AND COUNTRY....THE
PENTAGON (News Date: 4.18.03)
Kenna and her father, Ken Turner sang at the Pentagon's "Good
Friday" Easter service, along with Franklin Graham as key
note speaker. Kenna performed two songs from her CD, "Why
I Believe." "We Are America" was met with tears and a standing
ovation by Pentagon staffers. But her other song, "Heart to
Heart," was met with harsh criticism in the New York Times
by columnist Maureen Dowd, due to the narrow language of the
lyric: "There is one God. One Faith. One hope to which we
were called." Kenna's response was simple: "I didn't take
it personal. I know that really I was her way to publicly
rebuke Evangelicals in general. Franklin Graham was really
who she raged against, and President Bush. I was in good company-
of those not ashamed to be associated with the Name of Jesus
Christ. And for me to be ridiculed because of my Faith, and
for freely exercising my First Amendment right of free speech
that I am guaranteed under the Constitution- I felt honored."
(Special
thanks to J.B. Hudson, Administrative Assistant to the Secretary
of the Army. And to the the Chaplain Corps of the United States
Army, especially COL Ralph Benson.)
DEAR
MR. PRESIDENT
A
precious letter from the heart of a child...
Graham
West
FORT
KNOX (News Date: 4.06.03)
The West Family Minsiters at Fort Knox during "Operation Iraqi
Freedom"
As the 'Battle for Baghdad' was being won by America forces,
the West Family offered their "gifts and talents' to the U.S.
Army, via the Chaplain Corps. They ministered to 900 troops
at the Army military post in Fort Knox, Kentucky. After music
and a special time of ministry, they were blessed to pray with
300 soldiers who made decisions for Christ!
(Special
thanks to LTC Chaplain Joseph Hartranft for making the event
possible!)
9.11
(News Date: 9.11.02)
Kenna was invited to New York to perform her new song, "We Are
America" at a special memorial service for the families, friends,
and survivors of the 9.11 tragedy. Being so well received
by the hundreds of firefighters present that night made the
event one of the most poignant nights in her career. (Special
"thanks" to the Hicks family.) We were doubly blessed when the
fire chief opened the doors of their station to us afterward
for fellowship and made Graham an honorary volunteer fire fighter
of the FDNY. |
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NASCAR...
Working
with Motor Racing Outreach, the Chaplin Service of NASCAR,
ministering in the chapel services for The Winston Cup Series,
The Busch Grand Nationals, and The Craftsman Truck
Series, at speedways such as Rockingham, Darlington,
Bristol, and Charlotte. (Special thanks to Pastors
Dale Beaver, Kenny Crosswhite, and the MRO office staff-Cheryl
Shore, Missy DeSouza, and Gwen Howard.)
Featured
artist at the NASCAR Super Saturday event, presented
in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention andheld
at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The featured speaker was Joe Gibbs,
former Washington Redskins Coach and owner of the 2000 Winston
Cup Champion Team of champion driver, Bobby Labonte. Nearly
1,000 decisions were made for Christ at that event.
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MISSIONS...
In
June, under the leading of Pastor Dave McClamma of First Baptist
Church at The Mall in Lakeland, Florida, and through ministry
of CMU, our team was blessed with assisting an orphanage in
San Paulo, Brazil. Discarded children were held, nurtured,
and reminded of their value in the Kingdom Of God. I was also
blessed to minister in concert at a local church with their
Portuguese worship band! We may have sung in different languages,
but we sang the SAME songs to the SAME God. Amazing...
Our
work continued the next day with the building of a church in
a remote village outside the city of Puerto Velho, Brazil.
What was a cement slab, within three days, became a House of
the Lord! HUNDREDS of children were led to the Lord on our work
site daily, and in turn brought their families to hear the gospel
message. On our final night in Puerto Velho at the churchís
dedication service, Dave ministered and I sang with great joy
to a brand new congregation- a church FILLED with people, to
the glory of God!
In
July, as guests of a team sponsored by Dr. Bruce Clark and his
church in Mt. Dora, Florida, Graham and I were part of a VBS
camp for nearly 100 Bahamian children at the Assemblies of God's
Camp Abaco in the Bahamas. While I lead staff
devotions, Graham participated in the childrenís daily
events. He was excited to go on his first missions trip, to
help his Mother lead in worship, and to make friends for life.
Before the week was over, we had made friends for life, as well
as seeing over 80 decisions made for Christ. |
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THE
EARLY YEARS...BLACKWOOD
BROTHERS.
Kenna's
career in Gospel Music began in the early 80's when, as a new
believer, she joined her father, Ken Turner, in singing
with the Grammy Award winning Blackwood Brothers Quartet.
An all male quartet for 50 years, Kenna, at 18 years of age,
was the female singer to join the group. The Blackwood Brothers
Quartet was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
in 1998, placing Kenna and her Dad in the company of gospel
music legends such as James Blackwood, R.W. Blackwood, J.D.Sumner,
Jackie Marshall, Wally Varner, Tony Brown and many other Blackwood
Brother alumni.
The
original Blackwood Brothers Gospel Quartet started 50 years
ago in Chester County, Mississippi, when three brothers-Roy,
Doyle, and James-along with Roy's son R.W., channeled their
Christian faith into music. In 1950 they moved to Memphis, and
their Blackwood Brothers Ministries have been based here ever
since. The group has spread their gospel message through world
tours (including a trip to Russia) and their record have won
8 Grammy Awards.
The
Blackwood connection has brought many opportunities over the
years. In 1984, Kenna made the cover of Memphis Magazine, being
named in their "Who's Who" list of entertainers from
Memphis. This placed her, as a Blackwood member, along side
of music icons Jerry Lee Lewis, Al Green and B. B. King.
The
original Blackwood Brothers Quartet started fifty years ago
in Chester County, Mississippi, when three brothers - Roy,
Doyle, and James along with Roy's son R. W., channeled their
Christian faith into music. In 1950 they moved to Memphis,
and their Blackwood Brothers Ministries have been based here
ever since. The group has spread their gospel message through
world tours (including a trip to Russia) and their records
have won 8 Grammy Awards. The
addition of new faces has kept the Blackwood Brothers unit
going; 19-year-old Kenna Turner, daughter of the group's
bass singer Ken Turner, recently became the female member
of the group.
Memphis
Magazine / Special Edition, 1984
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Print
/ Choral...
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Available from Alan Publishing, a choral arrangement / songbook
/ dvd of the song, "We are America." (Fully orchestrated
accompaniment track, sheet music, and DVD of patriotic imagery. www.alanpublishing.com)
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Available NOW from Alan Publishing is the song, "Get About
God's Business," on CD soundtrack and printed music. (www.alanpublishing.com)
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Singing News Top 40 2001 Song Book: Contains Kenna's #1 song,
"We're Not Gonna Bow." (Available at your local Christian Book
store.) |
| April
27 was celebrated as "Kenna West Day" in Lebanon, TN, for
20 years of service to the Lord! Thank you to Mayor Don Fox and
Debbie Jessen. |
HURRICANE
KENNA...
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Hurricane Kenna 10/02 |
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