9 minute read
Kim Person
On the Road to the Stellar Awards Gospel Recording Artist Kim Person
Interview by Angela Anderson
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Propelled by excellence and driven by divine purpose...
From a small town in North Carolina, Kim Person is no stranger to sharing her gift of singing with others. She has been gracing audiences, small and large, from an early age, with her powerful vocals. Even as a child, her music had a way of touching the hearts of the people. From humble beginnings, Kim Person has remained steadfast on this journey and is starting to see the fruits of her labor. This musical powerhouse is a Billboard charting, 2-time Stellar Award nominee, 4-time Apollo Award winner, and Shirley Caesar Music Outreach Award recipient, with many other prestigious awards and accolades.
The road has not always been easy, but Kim Person has weathered the storms and continued to press forward through her music, using it as an outlet to heal and help others to heal through her music. A woman of faithfulness and perseverance, this praise and worship leader, singer, and songwriter is a true testament that with God, all things are possible if you believe.
From her first album, You Are My Everything, to her latest album, The Journey 2.0, Kim has continued to bless audiences near and far with her beautiful vocals and eclectic style. She has definitely set a standard and is making a difference in the gospel music industry.
Kim Person continues to make tremendous strides touching the hearts of many through music with no signs of slowing down. Her faith, perseverance, and can-do attitude have taken her to places beyond her imagination. She has graced many platforms of major venues and been featured with trailblazers including Donnie McClurkin, Karen Clark Sheard, Yolanda Adams, and more.
The Heat Seekers Magazine had the opportunity to talk with Kim Person about her incredible journey, her new chart-topping album, and her 2022 Stellar Award nominations.
Angela Anderson: When did you know that you had the gift of singing?
Kim Person: It all started with my grandparents. They used to stand me on a cement block, and I would sing, “All Ready Been to the Water,” and people would come from miles around to see the little girl with the big voice. But the part
that I recognized as a gift was the fact that people traveled from miles and miles to see me sing and would throw money at my feet.
AA: When you were little, they called you “the little girl with the big voice.” Where did this title come from?
KP: The little girl with the big voice…My granddad started this when I would sing on the cement block. Then, after I grew up and became a teenager, I traveled with him around the region singing. People would call us all the time to sing. It was him and the little girl with the big voice.
AA: What inspired the birth of the Kim Person Music brand and you as a solo artist?
KP: I have been singing all of my life. I would sing at church on Sundays, concerts, etc. I remember Deitrick Haddon coming to my local church that I was a member of at the time, to perform. Many shared with him that I could sing. I sang with, as they say, “My good singing voice,” lol. Short version…He shared a word with me to begin to walk in the calling of an artist. I took what he shared to heart; fast forward, and my first album, You Are My Everything, was birthed.
AA: What is the mission of your music?
KP: My husband coined the abbreviation of my name, KIM… Keeping It Ministry (K.I.M). In addition, the overall mission of my music is to inspire, encourage and motivate people to be their authentic selves and walk in the gift that God has given them. It is all about encouraging and motivating people. It is to remind people not to compare themselves to others but to know that they are enough and trust the process.
AA: What aspect of the business do you enjoy?
KP: Two things! First, I enjoy going into the studio, creating music, and hearing my songs come to life. I enjoy being able to create new music. It is the most refreshing and rewarding thing when you hear the playback; I have an OMG moment; this is me. The second thing is seeing everything come together. From the print to the press, seeing everything come full circle and seeing the blessings of others getting my music in their hand and experiencing the music that was created.
AA: What can music listeners expect from the Kim Person Music brand?
KP: They can expect to get an experience. That there is someone who understands where they are. Because I am singing from a pure place. I am singing from my heart and from my hurts. I am singing from my relationship with Christ. I am singing from a place that I hope is infectious and that people will feel that and are drawn to my music and drawn to hear and learn more about me.
AA: How would you describe your style of music?
KP: I would say I am authentic. I really do believe that I can sing all styles of music. I would describe my music as having a style of its own. It’s a blend and mix of all things that represent Christ and inspires you to move forward. From quartet to contemporary to traditional gospel music that is inspirational, you name it, my music has a special blend. However, it is all about having a style that is inspirational. My music is authentic, it’s different, and it bounces from style to style based on the production of the project. I want people to know that I sing all styles of music that is all about inspiration.
AA: You have several amazing albums that are such a blessing to people, You Are my Everything, Sincerely Yours, Speak Life, The Journey, and now The Journey 2.0. Share with us what inspired this latest project?
KP: The Journey 2.0 is a follow-up to The Journey, which got two Stellar nods back in 2020. I heard the voice of God say, “do it again.” I interpreted that to mean take the journey that I am on and give it a part two…The Journey 2.0.
AA: “Wonderful, Marvelous, Glorious, Yes, you are”! Those are lyrics from your chart-topping song, Wonderful. Tell us about this song.
KP: This song was inspired by my grandmother. I loved the song that she used to sing back in
AA: Kim, you are on your way to the Stellar Awards with not 1, but 3 nominations. Share with us how that feels as an artist.
KP: Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, Traditional Female Vocalist of The Year, and Traditional Album of the Year… it is exhilarating. God honors faithfulness…I have been doing this for over twenty years. I trust God and the gift that he has given me. When doors were closed or platforms were closed, I created my own. Faithfulness and diligence! I say this, stick to walking in faith, trusting in Him; He will honor it. I feel that this is a reflection of God’s hand over my life.
AA: You are an indie artist with skin in the game, a true testament to walking by faith and having perseverance. What advice would you share with new artists who are just getting started?
KP: It is ok to be different. Know that what you always see is not really what you always get. When I say that, I mean, you think everybody else is doing it a certain way, and that is how they are successful. You don’t know what others had to do to get what they have. I would say be true to yourself and trust your process. Keep God at the forefront and whatever He speaks, even if it seems weird, do it! You will be surprised at the end results if you do it His way instead of the way you see it.
AA: When you are not singing or working on new music, what can we find you doing?
KP: I enjoy watching tv and having a moment to step away and let my hair down. I enjoy having a moment just being Kim.
AA: Do you have summer traditions or activities you enjoy during the summertime?
KP: I love to travel, go to the beach, eat crab legs, shrimp boil…Of course, I love to hang out with my family. We have our annual family reunion in the summer. I come from a large family. My grandmother had 22 kids. When we get together, it is easy for us to have a 50 to 75-voice choir. We have a fish fry and chicken kabobs, love on each other, and make memories.
AA: How can people buy your music and stay connected with you?
KP: I am on social media at Kim Person and Kim Person Music. Twitter: Kimpersonsing Instagram: Iamkimperson Facebook: Kim Person Music YouTube: Kim Person
You can stream my music on Spotify and Apple Music. You can also stay connected with me by visiting my website at kimpersontheartist.com.
