Renowned gospel singer John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir will headline a concert next month in the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W. Eighth.
The show is set for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 and will feature local and regional gospel groups Chosen and Grace Justified, respectively.
Jeremy “Jayo” Ownes — of Owens Productions, who is presenting the show, themed “Worship on Wednesday” — said fans, including area churches, are already snapping up tickets.
“It’s been a long time since we did a big gospel music show and John P. Kee is a legend. He came here in the 90s when I was about 5, so I thought it was time to bring him back,” Owens said.
A few lucky, local gospel singers may have the opportunity to perform with Kee in El Dorado, Owens said, noting that the gospel music legend is considering forming an ad hoc community choir made up of local talent to rehearse with him on the day of the show and sing on stage during the concert.
With more than 30 years in the gospel music industry, Kee — a Durham, North Carolina native and an ordained minister — has earned the the honorific nickname “The Prince of Gospel Music.”
Kee is known for his signature sound that blends contemporary gospel with the traditional, sung with a voice that has been described as “husky” and “soulful.”
Some of his best known songs are “Jesus Is Real,” “Standing In the Need,” “Stand”and the 2012 crossover hit, “Life and Favor,” which reached No. 32 on the Billboard music charts.
Kee’s new album, “I Made it Out,” is scheduled for release Sept. 13, days before the show in El Dorado. The single of the same name has already dropped.
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter has won a Billboard Music Ward, Soul Train Award and several Stellar awards, including the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
Owens said the show will complement MusicFest, which will kick off two days after the concert on Sept. 27 and 28 in downtown El Dorado.
Owens Productions attempted to book Kee earlier in the year but the scheduling did not work out, Owens said. He said followup conversations with Kee’s team led to the September booking, which will be a leg on Kee’s “I Made it Out Tour” to promote his new album.
The El Dorado stop will be sandwiched between performances in Texarkana, Texas, Sept. 24 and another stop in the region later the same week, Owens said.
“That’s why it’s on a Wednesday night. I was a little nervous about that with the churches but they have been supportive. Churches in Camden and Magnolia they have been buying groups of tickets, 30 at a time,” Owens said, adding with a laugh, “I told them they can bring their Bible study to the auditorium.”
Early bird tickets are $20 until Saturday. Ticket prices will then go up to $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Tickets are available at Mr. Mike’s Music and Artwork in El Dorado; Diann Epps State Farm Insurance in Camden; Eric Baker in Magnolia; and Jeremy Owens Shelter Insurance in Ruston, Louisiana.
Tickets may also be purchased online at eventbrite.com. Additional charges may apply.
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