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Interact with Bonnie Keen
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Online Status:
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Last On: Oct 21, 2008 - 3:36 PM
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Profile Views:
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8,248
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Member Since:
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February 19, 2007
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Location:
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Nashville, TN
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ShoutLife Address:
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shoutlife.com/bonniekeen
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Website:
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www.bonniekeen.com
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Genre:
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Inspirational
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Record Label:
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Independent
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Group Members:
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Bonnie Keen
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God of Many Chances (2004)
God of Many Chances is the latest solo release from Bonnie Keen. It has been released to critical acclaim. ChristianityToday.com exclaimed:
This album gets it right in every way. The songs are eclectic, each track distinctive and delightful rather than bleeding into each other. Keen's husband, who has impressive pop production sensibilities, deserves much praise, developing an album that's not just one more typical Nashville Christian pop CD with the same production and musician tendencies. Of all the talented musicians on this disc, specific credit goes to the great keyboard work by David Hamilton, Mike Lawler's programming skills, and the soulful guest appearance by Stephen Alexandersen (on "Lay It Down"). And of course, best of all are Keen's stunning vocal talents, offering enough expression and nuance to captivate from song to song; her layered vocals often match the similarly glorious sounds of Annie Lennox.
Perhaps the best way we can introduce you to God of Many Chances is to hear directly from Bonnie Keen. Take a moment as she shares about the journey that led to this recording and the special moments in the studio that helped make it such a powerful project:
I love the way God takes impossible situations and surprises me with His plan, timing and deliverance. Working on my latest project, aptly titled "God Of Many Chances" all I can do is say, 'hallelujah' and 'ain't it the truth!' Not knowing how this cd would come to completion, I started it on a wing and prayer and with two songs I loved. God brought the right people into my life and ministry at the right time and the result is more exciting than mere words can describe.
Brent, my husband, tirelessly and creatively produced the 12 song adventure. Having written all the songs but one, I knew the material very personally. And with three years behind me traveling as a solo artist and speaker, after fifteen years with First Call, has given me the courage to stretch out more. I took a lot of risks vocally on this cd, and wrote of my hearts' passion with amazing co-writers such as Lowell Alexander, Suzanne Gaither-Jennings, David Hamilton and Cheryl Rogers.
The cream of the crop musicians and singers gave of themselves in every session. David Hamilton went out of the way to be extra brilliant with arrangements and with our song, 'My Beloved'. My cousin, Phillip Cooper went in the studio with me and kept me going while I did three a cappella songs. I'm glad it was just Phillip and me because I had some embarrassing attempts at doing all the tracks, but it came together well. Nothing like having the safety net of family behind the board when you are experimenting.
Cheryl Rogers, my sister of the heart, produced and helped fine tune the writing on the title cut, and we had a grand time in her studio in Atlanta putting that song together. She is a stunning talent and now a mother of two, spinning all those plates amazing well.
One of the most delightful surprises was having Ricky Skaggs, Sharon White Skaggs sing 'Shall We Gather At The River' while Molly, their daughter played accordion and Luke cheered us on in the control room. What a dream come true! I rerecorded a song written for First Call, 'Parable of the River' and have always wanted a bluegrass intro from the hymn to start it off. Mike Lawler.....a crazy lunatic genius...did the track and this song takes my breath away. Sharon burst into tears when she heard it, saying it sounded like all of heaven opening up to praise God. She cried, so I cried....good tears. Kleenex all around.
One of the most powerful songs, Suzanne Jennings came to me with as an idea and let me run with it. "When God Says No"....a song that was difficult to write, but has become an anthem of hope for this project and for me in concert. I thank God daily for this next chance to record, from my God of endless grace. "God of Many Chances" should be in the stores by August so look for an air-brushed blonde face smiling at your from the shelves, and let me know what you think! Blessings!
Buy God of Many Chances Online
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Marked For Life (1999)
There are long, dark passages of life that many aimlessly wander, desperate for light, for truth, for a voice saying, "You are loved." Divorce and its aftermath was such a path for Bonnie Keen, founding member of First Call. Struggling with the guilt of a failed relationship and with the fear of failing as a single parent, she felt as though everything she held dear was slipping through her hands. But God began to prepare the way, to create in her a richer, fuller life and to remind her of His truth -- that she is marked for life by the love of God.
And this mark she wears with hope and confidence, grateful to be able to share it with those who are facing similar battles today.
From the depth of those experiences and the imprint of lessons learned, Bonnie penned a collection of songs that made up her first solo effort, Marked For Life. It is a project born out of her desire to share how God has healed her life and restored her hope. "I was desperate for someone to speak reality into my situation as a divorced person and a single parent, and I found very little out there to help me," Bonnie says. "My desire is not to fix anyone's life or offer a five point plan for getting your life back. My desire with this music is just to say, "It's not over for you. You've not walked out from under the cover of grace because you've failed in one area of your life.'"
"More than anything," she continues, "I want to be a voice of hope and empathy for those who feel pulled toward despair. I want to try to be a point that turns them back toward believing that, as a child of God, they are marked for life."
Marked For Life is filled of hope and encouragement. "Every Drop of Red," written by Bonnie and Lowell Alexander, is a soaring testimony of the greatest gift of all -- Jesus. Inspired by the Bible story about the woman with the blood disorder (Luke 8:43-48), the song speaks to the changing, cleansing power of His blood. "Healing flowed like a river / It was scarlet love that He bled / And the world was changed like black to white / With every drop of red".
Bonnie wrote the stirring "Isaac" as a tribute to the peace she found when, at long last, she was able to surrender all the pain and failure to God. "You Will Cover Me" began as a trembling prayer of consecration early in her single parenthood. All ten songs reveal a strong, passionate heart, once broken but now healed by the steadfast hand of a merciful God.
Produced by new husband, Brent King, Marked For Life features the co-writing talents of Lowell Alexander, Scott Brasher, Cheryl Rogers and Kevin Stokes. Guest vocal talents include Bonnie's First Call partner Marty McCall, Russ Taff, Lisa Bevill, and Bonnie's son, Graham Keen.
Buy Marked For Life Online
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Bonnie Keen uses her voice as a gifted author, speaker, and recording artist to spread the message of hope. Emerging as one of this generation's most compelling singer/songwriters, Keen's latest CD, God of Many Chances, continues the journey of faith, healing, and restoration that surfaced in her breathtaking solo debut, Marked For Life. The singing career she launched nearly 20 years ago expresses the redemptive power of God that carried her through the rejection of divorce, loneliness of depression, and desperation of single motherhood.
Keen began her recording career as a founding member of the acclaimed trio First Call, which toured the world performing material from their 12 albums. The trio accepted three Dove Awards and five Grammy nominations during their 15 years together. While solo work will remain a priority, the original members of First Call recently compiled a reunion CD of hymns and will sing together in reunion form whenever possible. Keen has toured with some of music's most legendary performers including Sandi Patty and Amy Grant, Russ Taff and provided background vocals for Garth Brooks, Michael W. Smith and many others.
In her latest book, A Ladder Out of Depression, Keen shares the circumstances that pushed her to despair and walk 'through molasses' she took to regain emotional, physical, and spiritual health. With refreshing transparency, she lifts the secrecy and shame from an illness that plagues over 20 million Americans. Understanding firsthand what it means to be there, Keen discusses the types, symptoms, and treatments of depression, as well as how loss is the common denominator that almost always triggers the disease. She encourages others to move toward recovery by gently nudging them to be honest about the things that have wounded them.
Keen's passion lies in using music and her musical theatre background to make her keynote addresses on hope and joy, uniquely her own. Mixing humor, with interactive videos (her evil twin argues on screen with her live responses), Biblical truths interspersed with a musical punchline makes Bonnie's presentations stand out with transparent honesty.
Keen was honored with an Emmy Award for discussing her life in "The Whirlpool Of Depression' on the television show On Main Street. In 2005, Day of Discovery/Pax Network aired a special on her ministry called, 'A God Of Many Chances'. Known for allowing her vulnerabilities to help others, she speaks frankly in her books, Blessed Are The Desperate For They Will Find Hope, God Loves Messy People (Harvest House), and contributions to Dance of Heaven (Multnomah), Sisters..The Story Goes On (Thomas Nelson) and What The Cross Means To Me (Harvest House.)
Demonstrating her ability to connect to an audience with ease, Bonnie is an ongoing participant with the Women of Virtue conferences, appears in a Broadway-style Musical, "Adams Rib", appears in an comedy troupe "The Glory Bugles" and has shared vocal prowess at events such as Gloria Gaithers Friend's Conference, as well as having performed on more than 4 Homecoming Gaither Television specials. Virtue and Today's Christian Women magazines have featured her cover stories and she has been interviewed on many programs produced by NBC, PBS, The 700 Club, The Grammy Awards, Crossroads Christian Communications, LeSea Broadcasting and other networks.
Bonnie lives in Tennessee with her husband Brent, a 4 time Grammy award winning producer and engineer with much loved visits from her college age children: Courtney and Graham.
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New Tip for Single Girls
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11/02/2007 - 1:35 PM
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OK.....This sounds ridiculous, but I think I have most literally stumbled upon a new way for single women to attract
potential dates. Three weeks ago I had unexpected knee surgery. I'm on crutches for six weeks, unable to put
weight on my left le...
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33 views
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4 replies
- Most Recent Reply: 02/15/09 - 12:58 PM
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Excited about the Authentic Women's Conference!
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8/03/2007 - 5:09 PM
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I am so excited to be a part of a brand new women's conference that is fresh, exciting and real! It's called AUTHENTIC. More and more AUTHENTIC conferences are being scheduled across the country and I would love for you to join me for this special ...
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10 views
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0 replies
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All Up In Your Grill
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3/14/2007 - 7:21 PM
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One of the best parts of traveling around the country, is meeting new 'ya-ya' girlfriends
here and there who utterly rock my world.
Recently I was reunited with the wild and wonderful Laura in the Carolinas.
This woman is a ball of fire for God an...
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5 views
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2 replies
- Most Recent Reply: 03/14/07 - 8:12 PM
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The Real Deal/2-26-07
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2/26/2007 - 7:56 PM
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On February 16th, one of God's greatest ladies came home to Him. Janice
Marie Chaffee breathed her last sigh here on earth, 65 pounds and losing, three years fighting
the ravages of Multiple Myleoma, lying beside her husband of over 25 years a...
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13 views
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2 replies
- Most Recent Reply: 05/01/07 - 6:37 PM
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Test Blog
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2/19/2007 - 6:50 PM
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I'm new to Shoutlife and the new blog. I'll have more coming soon but this is just a test.
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3 views
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2 replies
- Most Recent Reply: 02/20/07 - 8:48 AM
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