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To every (thing there is) a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV). And for Keith Wonderboy Johnson, this is his time and his season. Johnson’s ‘new season’ will actually begin on April 20th with the release of his first Verity Records solo album aptly titled “NEW SEASON. From “Send A Revival” to “I Just Want To Be Right” Keith Wonderboy Johnson
has undoubtedly made his mark on the Quartet music scene and today he seeks to
further his music ministry with an unprecedented deal with Verity Records and
World Wide Music, Inc.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Keith Wonderboy Johnson began singing at the
age of 5 as a member of the Spiritual Voices, a group that was founded by his
father. As fate would have it, he would soon become a member of the famed
Harlem Boys Choir. It was here where Johnson’s vocal abilities were fine
tuned and valuable lessons in the areas of showmanship and professionalism were
acquired and honed.
In 1998, Johnson signed with independent label, World Wide Gospel Records and
released his first project, “Through the Storm.” It featured the instant hit
single, “Hide Behind the Mountain,” and changed the face of Gospel Quartet Music
forever. Johnson was a young man with an old fashioned style that appealed
to audiences of all ages and brought an entire new generation of listeners to
his brand of Gospel music. The success of this project was only exceeded
by his electrifying live performances.
Johnson garnered media attention and success once again, in 1999 with the
release of his sophomore project, “Live and Alive” that turned out the smash, “I
Just Wanna Be Right,” which quickly became a Gospel anthem. Later that
same year, Johnson released his first Christmas project, “Our Gift to You” that
included the upbeat, foot-stomping, “12 Days of Christmas” that is still one of
the most requested and frequently played Gospel holiday songs.
He would go on to release three more albums with World Wide Gospel; “Tribute
to Quartet Legends,” “Send A Revival” and a greatest hits compilation
project. Among the memorable moments from these albums project include,
“Stretchin’ Out,” “Peace in the Midst of the Storm,” “Angels,” and the
ubiquitous smash hit “Send a Revival.”
“NEW SEASON” is everything the title suggests … it marks a new dawn for
Johnson. Fans will be blessed by this new project that reveals a maturity
that has never before been revealed by Johnson. New experiences in his life, in
his career, in his spirituality and with his relationship with Jesus Christ have
all been brought together on this project.
“I am very excited about this project. It is more from the heart and comes
directly from personal experiences in my life,” explained Johnson. “We’ve
also experimented with new sounds and flavors that today’s technology allows us,
but it’s still the same Gospel music my friends and fans have come to expect
from my ministry.”
With songs appealing to the entire family; both young and old, the first
single is classic Keith Wonderboy Johnson. “Let Go, Let God,” is the
upbeat, church filled track that is filled with all the great things Johnson is
well known and loved for.
Other key selections include “Forgive Me Lord,” a moving and reflective
ballad that reminds us of the Lord’s unending grace and mercy. “I Need
Your Help,” another lively and entirely churchy track and a remake of his
signature song “Somehow He Takes Us Through It All,” round out the
project. The latter was previously released on Johnson’s hallmark album
“Send A Revival.”
“NEW SEASON” introduces an array of unsung producers, musicians and
songwriters. Johnson made a concerted effort to sow into the untapped
market of talented people that haven’t had a chance to break into the industry.
“I wanted to give some of the people I know, who do not have as long or as an
impressive resumes as some established writers and producers,” he stated.
“A chance … that’s all they need.”
Definitely a product of ‘old school’ Gospel music … the invoking sounds of
hands clapping and foot-stomping on a wood floor are trademark Keith Wonderboy
Johnson. He draws his influences from great Gospel legends like Shirley Caesar,
the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Hawkins Family, The Canton Spirituals, Dixie
Hummingbirds and the Caravans. “These are artists whose ministries and
careers have longevity … they are the real thing,” Johnson said.
As a credit to his tireless work and commitment to his ministry of serving
God’s people through music, Johnson has earned many awards, recognition and
prestigious nominations including GMWA Excellence Award, Stellar Awards,
American Gospel Quartet Convention Awards, and Gospel Truth Magazine Awards. In
addition to being honored in various cities with “Key’s To the City,” Johnson
has appeared on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album Charts for multiple weeks
throughout his career.
The horizon looks bright for Johnson with the collaborative effort that
includes both Verity Records and World Wide Gospel. Going into its sixth year,
World Wide Gospel quickly rose to the top of the industry practically overnight,
ranking World Wide among the top 10 selling record labels in the world during
the years of 2001 and 2002. This was greatly due to the unique marketing
savvy and vision of World Wide’s dynamic duo of Kerry and Fatiyah Douglas.
World Wide would not only see huge success with Johnson, but scored big with
Evelyn Turrentine-Agee’s “God Did It;” and played host to several artists, Nu
Beginning featuring Damon Little, Greg O’Quinn, Darrell McFadden and the
Disciples, Jimmy Hicks and VOI, and Bo Peep. World Wide Gospel has also
launched a successful publication, The Gospel Truth Magazine that has been
instrumental in the label’s success.
Enter into Keith Wonderboy Johnson’s ‘NEW SEASON’! Album in stores everywhere
April 20, 2004.
For More Information: VERITY RECORDS: Jojo Pada 212-824-1233 / Manushka
Magloire 212-824-1285 WORLD WIDE GOSPEL: Fatiyah Douglas 877-682-7260
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