OctoberVet Concert (Cincinnati, Ohio) October 16, 2011

Kenny Lee – Burnin’ Up The Nashville Scene
Posted on October 5, 2011 by Dan Harr
by Robin Saint James

Country music singer/songwriter Kenny Lee is burnin’ up the Nashville scene with a radio show, several hot new songs, and a new video that features a member of country music’s favorite first families.

Lee calls the style of music in his new video “I’m Onto You” as “Big Band Country.” Jimmie VanZant and Roni Stoneman star in the production which can be viewed on Youtube. Stoneman, once a regular the television show Hee Haw, wrote and played the banjo parts in the video.

Videos are not all Lee is doing these days. Lee not only owns a production company, he has a show on KLP Country Music Radio which airs on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Lee states that there are a few reasons why he decided to take to the airwaves. One reason is because he has toured with hits of his own, and he wants to give others an opportunity to gain some recognition of their own.

“My mission here is to help worthy artists get airplay so that they can be heard by the music industry, and not be set aside as so called “shelf material.” There are many artists out there that are as talented as the mainstream artists, and they deserve their shot at Nashville and the world,” said Lee.

The Kenny Lee productions staff hand picks artists to be featured on the show. They also hold a Facebook contest every week where featured artists are voted on by KLP radio fans. Winners then get an opportunity to be interviewed and have their material played.

“All the artists we’ve chosen are not only talented, but they are good people with positive attitudes,” stated Lee.

The KLP Show also features such guests as country music legends Ronnie McDowell, and Bobby G. Rice, bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent, screen actress Dana Mark, and the founder of the Yellow Ribbon Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Keith Maupin.

Maupin’s son, Matt Maupin, was kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents in 2004 and was considered a POW-MIA until 2008 when he came home and laid to rest in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Maupin Sr. and the Yellow Ribbon staff put together care packages for the troops. Maupin is often a guest on Thursday nights during the Veteran’s Show, another reason why the show is so important to Lee.

“We are so passionate about helping our veteran’s,” said Lee about his production team and his guests.

“Matt Maupin and so many others gave their lives for our country and it’s our duty to honor them, and all of the troops that have been in harm’s way. Supporting the Yellow Ribbon Center is one way of doing that. There are some things our troops need that they are not getting in the field of battle. It’s our job to get them what they need.”

Lee is also trying to bring the plight of homeless veterans to light. He often solicits the help of Ms. Marks who takes to the streets in search of homeless vets.

“This is a very big problem in our country Dana finds these folks and brings them onto our show to tell their story. It’s important for people to hear from these victims of homelessness and understand why they are in the situation they are in,” said Lee.

Lee said he is so moved by the cause he fights for that he wrote a song called “We Never Came Home.” The song brings home the thoughts of a soldier at war.

Lee’s drummer Michael Thomas, said, “He was so passionate about writing this song from a soldier’s perspective. He really wanted it to be heartfelt. He actually had tears in his eyes when he was writing the lyrics.” With The Music Arrangement written by Tamara smith & lantern lane .

Because of the content of Lee’s shows, he has been gaining a wider and wider listening audience. The show is now being simulcast on stations all over the globe and continues to grow. In light of this, Lee, his staff, with his partner the big bad Wolfe and his band, are taking their show on the road.

Lee’s first stop will be a veteran’s show on October 15, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show, called “Octobervets” will honor local veteran’s and will donate a large portion of the proceeds to the Yellow Ribbon Center. Proceeds will also aid in assisting homeless veterans. Keith Maupin will be in attendance as well as several Cincinnati veterans to be honored.

Nashville recording artists Kelsey Stroud, Jackson Young, Jesse “The Outlaw” Bryant, and Colleen Lloy, as well as the bands Pokerface, The John Irwin Band, The Cincinnati Sinners, the Dallas Moore Band, and Allen Ray Howard and Timeless will perform throughout the all-day concert.

Howard and the Timeless Band have performed for veteran’s concerts for 10 years.

“We are all so excited to be performing in this show. So often we forget the importance of showing our gratitude to those that have served. Kenny is changing that and we are honored to be a part of it,” said Howard.

Thomas, a Cincinnati native, said, “Kenny was so touched by Keith Maupin, he had to make Cincinnati the first stop of several veteran’s concerts to come.

Lee said he is humbled by all of the recognition he receives from his fans for his music and his radio show, but states that it’s helping others that makes him feel the best. He said that the show, concerts, and other events would not be possible without his great staff and folks such as award winning makeup artists Carol Mathews and Linda Demith, and promtions companies such as “Dreamcatchers” based in Ohio.

“The list is too long to mention, but they know who they are,” said Lee, who added that songwriters Rick Blaylock (Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox) and Vern Gosdin (both whom have passed) were a major inspiration for all he does.

Lee said he puts his heart into every broadcast the same way he puts his heart into the songs he writes and sings.

“We want to make our show and our concerts full of laughter and surprises, but we also want to bring veteran’s issues to the stage. I want to use this tool we call radio to reach out and help others.”

For more information on the show and concerts, or to submit your music for consideration, go to www.klpcountrymusicradio.com.

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