Musicians to be honored
Kenton Lee
Ralph Carmichael
By Jason Salazar
Kenton Lee, arranger and minister of music, and Ralph Carmichael, composer, arranger and conductor, will be inducted into the Assemblies of God Music Hall of Honor. The ceremony will be held during the Music Luncheon to be held from 12 – 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 7, at the Rosen Centre. The Burchfield Brothers will be the featured musical guests for the luncheon.
The Music Hall of Honor was created to recognize individuals who have made outstanding musical contributions to the Assemblies of God. In past years, this award has gone to Winnie Swaim, Ira Stamphill, Dr. June Kean, Bob Kilpatrick, Cyril McLellan, “Big” John Hall, John Shows, Paul Ferrin, Linda Robins, J. Daniel Smith, L.B. Larsen and Larry Ford.
Kenton Lee — Honoree
Kenton Lee is the Minister of Worship and Creative Arts for Life Center in Tacoma, Washington. He has served on staff there for 28 years. He is also a published composer, arranger, conductor, vocalist and pianist. His musical arrangements have been played and sung by individuals and churches across the country. Through his many musical gifts, Lee has made a tremendous impact on Assemblies of God music.
Lee gives weekly direction to the music of Life Center, including the very popular Singing Christmas Tree. He and his wife Benita have raised four very musical children who are successful, practicing musicians. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Music from San Diego State University, a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Seminary and is currently enrolled in a Doctorate of Worship program.
Ralph Carmichael — Honoree
In a world where fame and notoriety can come and go like flavors of the month, Ralph Carmichael is an enduring presence. As an arranger and conductor, he’s shaped the music of many of the biggest names of modern pop music. As a writer, producer and record executive, he was one of the driving forces in the creation of contemporary Christian music.
Carmichael has done everything from scoring blockbuster films and music for television shows, and music ministry in a church to creating a successful production company that introduced contemporary music into the church and producing Dove-award big band gospel albums.
2007 marked Carmichael’s 60th year in Christian music, and he is just as active today as he was 60 years ago. “My inspiration over the years has just come from my personal experience,” says Carmichael. “Loneliness, pain, anguish and sorrow – I’ve experienced all of that. And when I write about the amazing strength that comes from experiencing God’s love, I know that on a daily basis. I don’t know how many notes I’ve got left in my pencil, but I know I want them used to glorify God and present His message to the world!”
For more comprehensive biographies of these two honorees, go to www.music.ag.org/connect/luncheon. Tickets ($30) may still be available for the luncheon. Visit the national Music Department booth in the Exhibit Hall.