Exclusive: Keesha Rainey Reveals Details About Her New Single & Upcoming Album

Nashville native Keesha Rainey began traveling and performing along-side the quartet group Donnie, Darryl, & The Joyboyz.  With the Joyboyz tutelage and via their indie label JSound Records, Keesha released her debut album BREAKTHROUGH in 2009 which ignited her talent as a songwriter.  Keesha wrote the title track "Breakthrough" and co-wrote "Rejoice In The Lord" which hit #1 on several internet radio stations in 2010. 

With growing notoriety for her debut album and her talents, Keesha captured several independent music awards: The Blockbuster Showdown "2012 Upcoming Artist Award", The "Artist of the Year Award" at the 2013 Gospel Music City Awards, and The "Contemporary Artist of the Year Award" at the 2013 Nashville Independent Music Awards. Keesha then released her sophomore project LORD YOU produced by One Staj Music Group. 

Keesha is now preparing for an all new release in 2017.  Although she is known for powerful worship and contemporary gospel vocals stylings, Keesha is introducing a new single that is an urban inspired, dance infused gospel track "I'm Moving".  

Q:  Keesha, thank you for your time.  Let's start with yourself, tell us about yourself and how you came to know the Lord.

Thank you so much for having me!  Well, let's see, I was born and raised in Nashville, TN by two of the most amazing parents.  They made sure my two older brothers and I had a strong spiritual foundation and that we would receive our spiritual development attending church on a regular basis.  My parents knew very early that I had a vocal gift and I was around the age of six when they put me in both the children and adult church choir.  I began leading songs right after that.  It was a few years later that my encounter with the Lord would come and it was something I had never experienced before.  I was nine years old and our church was visiting another church for a special occasion.  The Holy Spirit came in that place like a whirlwind and got all over me. My mom was there to comfort me and talk to me about what took place. That was the moment I accepted Christ as my Saviour and was later baptized in Percy Priest Lake Church in Nashville.

Q:  When and how did you feel God's call to sing for Him?

Since I was a little girl my dream has always been to be on the biggest stages.  That dream still holds true for me.  Even though I did grow up in the church, I still love to listen to R&B, Pop, Rock, and other genres, too.  With that said, I was not familiar at all with the gospel music scene, so it was never in my plan to be a gospel artist.  By 2004 I started working with a company doing session work for upcoming independent artists and got to work on my own demo.  Then question surfaced, "Keesha what style of music are you going to do?"  I guess you can see what my answer ended up being. (laughs)

Q:  You have also worked Donnie, Darryl, & The Joyboyz before.  How did that happened and what have you learnt from that experience?

I left the company that I was working with on not so good terms.  It was at that moment I had lost the love for music and singing and really had no desire to do it anymore. Right after that a radio announcer in Nashville asked me if I could sing for his birthday gospel concert.  I agreed and both of the lead singers of the Joyboyz happened to be there at the concert. After I sung, they spoke interests in working with me, but at the time I was not ready. A year later, after much prayer and consideration, I took them up on their offer. We went into the studio and since then they have been my label, executive producers, and managers.  Being able to travel with them, I have been able to learn so much. They have been at this thing for over 35 years and that is amazing to me! When I am on stage, they give me constructive criticism when needed, that at times, can be a hard pill to swallow, but is so necessary.  I believe this has attributed to my rapid growth as a singer /songwriter.  I would not be where I am if it were not for these guys! 
 
Q:  Congratulations on the release of your new single "I'm Moving."  Did you write this song?  What's the song about?

Thank you so much!!  I am really excited about it!!  It was actually written by both my producer, Derrick Lee and me.  "I'm Moving" is a feel good song that was written to inspire every listener to continue "moving forward"... moving forward in your purpose, toward your destiny...forgetting those things that are behind you and pressing towards the mark of a higher call, in Christ Jesus! 

Q:  You are also working on your upcoming album.  Will it be more worship-focus or more urban in sound?

Yes, we are currently in the beginning stages of putting the album together, but what I can tell you is that you are definitely going to get a good mixture of both worship and urban inspirational!

Q:  Who are you working with for this new record in terms of songwriters, guest singers and producers? 

I am working with some of the most phenomenal people in the industry...Producer - Derrick Lee; Engineer - Carlos Jarrett; BGVS - San Franklin-Jackson, Nate Bean, Royce Mosley, and Harmony Riddick; Drummer - Terry Baker and that is just to name a few.

Q:  What are some of the blessings of singing for the Lord and making records for His Glory?

The blessing for me is knowing others are being blessed through my music whether it be through salvation, hope, and/or inspiration. 

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