| Ron Kenoly | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Date: | 6 December 1944 |
| Origin: | Coffeyville, Kansas, U.S. |
| Genre: | Contemporary worship music, gospel |
| Occupation: | Worship leader, singer, songwriter |
| Instrument: | Vocals, guitar |
| Years Active: | 1968–present |
| Label: | Integrity |
Ron Kenoly (born December 6, 1944) is an American Christian worship leader, singer, and songwriter.
He holds several degrees, including a music degree from Alameda College, a Master of Divinity from Faith Bible College, and a Doctorate of Ministry in sacred music from Friends International Christian University.[1] His music career began following time spent in the United States Air Force.[1] He was originally with a group called The Mellow Fellows, but family issues caused him to leave the group. His musical career breakthrough came in 1992 when Lift Him Up became the fastest selling worship album to that point.[1] Welcome Home produced by Tom Brooks was also critically acclaimed, becoming Billboards Top contemporary worship music album, and winning a Gospel Music Association Dove Award for "Praise and Worship Album" in 1997.[2] He was formerly signed to Integrity Music. Kenoly himself has only played on one of his recordings.
Kenoly was born and raised in Coffeyville, Kansas. He states that when his mother, Edith Kenoly, was pregnant with him, she would rub her stomach and pray "Lord let this one praise you."July 2018. He was interested in a musical career from a young age, later saying, "As a child I remember seeing Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat King Cole for the first time. I was so impressed as I watched two Black men grace a national stage. I knew right then that was what I wanted."July 2018.
After graduating from high school in Coffeyville, Kenoly moved to Hollywood, California. He served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1968. During his Air Force career, Kenoly was a member of the Mellow Fellows, a top 40 cover band that toured military bases. After leaving the Air Force, he returned to Los Angeles to continue his music career.
He sang demos of Jimmy Webb songs, including "Up, Up and Away," for the Audio Arts label. The label also released Kenoly's first single, "The Glory of Your Love (Mine Eyes Have Seen)." He later signed with A&M Records. The label's executives gave Kenoly the stage name Ron Keith, and he recorded R&B tracks including as "I Betcha I'll Get Ya," "Soul Vaccination," and 1975's "Can't Live Without You."
Kenoly and Candy Rae were the first act signed to George Semper's Inner City label. Semper remarked on their signing "The two of them came and sang the song at my house, and I knew straight away I wanted to sign them." Their single "Lovely Weekend", recorded in 1972 at Clark Brown Audio studio in Crenshaw, Los Angeles sold nearly 200,000 copies.
Kenoly later stopped recording secular music and spent four years attempting to get a gospel record deal. In 1983, he released his first Christian album, You Ought to Listen to This. Kenoly eventually started leading praise and worship for other pastors such as Jack Hayford and Lester Sumrall. This caught the attention of evangelist Mario Murillo, who introduced him to Pastor Dick Bernal, the founder of Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose, California.
Kenoly began working as a full-time Christian minister in 1985 as Jubilee Christian Center's worship leader, focusing on leading worship services. In 1987, he was ordained and installed as Music Pastor, becoming head of the church's music department. In 1993, Kenoly was named Jubilee Christian Center's Ambassador of Music. He began consulting churches across the United States on developing their music departments. In 1996, Kenoly received his Doctorate in Ministry of Sacred Music.
In 1999, Kenoly moved to Central Florida where he continues to travel, speak, sing, teach and record. Kenoly has also written a few books, including one with Pastor Dick Bernal.
Songs written or co-written by Kenoly
Kenoly met and married his first wife Tavita while he was serving in the military. They had three sons during their 42-year marriage: Samuel, Ronald and Tony.[3] His cousin is American actor Don Cheadle. Kenoly is currently married Diana, a United Nations Ambassador, since November 24, 2014[4] [5]