Kenyon Grey is a stage name. As a young child I spent many a day dreaming about being my alter ego, the swashbuckler Kenyon Grey. A gifted swordsman, who'll back down from no one, except to win fair lady's heart.

I love to play live, anywhere I can. It can be very spiritually moving.

Done right, it can equal the playing field.

Yes, there are some great advantedges to signing with a major label.

Kenyon Grey grew up in his father’s church, where he played bass on the worship team. In 1980, Kenyon formed the band 'Prophecy' with Billy Spoon. Still, athletics were more the priority at that point in his life. "Boxing, kickboxing, and football, pretty much dominated my existence", Kenyon explains.

It was only when Kenyon was injured in a freak accident while playing Arena Football, did he realize that athletics held no future in his life. "I was trying to drudge my way into the NFL by playing in these minor leagues. It wasn't meant to be", explains Kenyon.

His athletic future was finished, so Kenyon took a job as a manager / bartender at a local strip club. "I call it my 8 years of darkness." says Kenyon. "My morality fell by the wayside. I was angry for a number of reasons, yet I couldn't put a finger on any of them. I lost two marriages because of that business. I was a true viper in the world. I had to change my life."

Kenyon refocused and got hired on with the local Fire Department. Soon, he started a new music project called 'Destiny'. "It was fun, we released one independent CD", remembers Kenyon.

Then, in 1999, feeling that he should focus more in the Adult Contemporary genre, Kenyon formed a duo project with Thurane Aung Khin of New Jerusalem. A move that later paid off when the duo signed recording contracts with RCM Records in early 2000. They released a 4 song EP and the title cut, a song called "Heaven in Your Eyes" immediately began to create a stir. Dan Keen with BMI in Nashville heard the song and said it would be a great fit in Country music. In August of 2001, "Heaven in Your Eyes" debut at #83 on the CCMA/HMG Charts, playing on 1500 radio station in 31 states across the US. "We had a small hit". Shrugs Kenyon.

"Heaven in Your Eyes", took the CCMA/HMG by storm, receiving tremendous reviews and write-ups in Power Source Magazine, a well-respected industry editorial. Soon the duo was performing in arenas and stadiums like, Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, Mesa Amphitheater, Peoria Sport Complex, as well as opening for major artists like, Bob Carlisle (Butterfly Kisses), Clay Crosse, and Michelle Tumes. The duo also appeared live on television, Channel 3's 'Good Morning Arizona Show'. But, they really turned heads performing at the GMA Awards and the CCMA Awards respectively.

Yet, as suddenly as it began, it ended. RCM Records ran out of money and couldn't continue the promotions. As a result, the Kenyon Grey duo split. Thurane's New Jerusalem project found new life however, so Kenyon went solo, keeping the name Kenyon Grey.

In early September of 2001, Kenyon signed a recording contract with Creative Focus Records and recorded "Chasing Rainbows", a cute little country ditty aimed at families. The song was set to be released later that month, but then 9/11 occurred.

Kenyon remembers that tragic morning. "As I watched those Towers fall, I knew that hundreds of my brothers, my fellow firefighter were dying that very moment and my heart tore. Only by placing God as my beacon of light, did I get through it."

In the next few weeks, Kenyon was moved to write two songs, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" & "Twin Towers Rising", honoring all those brave souls who lost their lives that fateful morning. 1002 Productions in Nashville heard the songs and signed Kenyon to Development & Production contracts. They also brought Grammy Award winning writer / producer Tony Marty with Curb Records on board. The bond between Tony and Kenyon Grey was ever tightened when they found out that both their birthdays fell on 9/11. "Their seemed to be a Godly, spiritual presence when we wrote and recorded these songs." says Kenyon. Both songs seemed to garner immediate interest from industry executives. "Tony told me that his promoters over at Curb Record absolutely loved 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'“, reveals Kenyon.

In August of 2002, Loggins Promotions test marketed both 9/11 songs and "Chasing Rainbows" to New Music Weekly, Billboard, FM Quarterback, Radio $ Records, and Gavin, as well as other top radio personalities and professionals. Both "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Twin Towers Rising" received a rating of 4 out of 4 stars in regard to commercial value of the song and "Chasing Rainbows" received 3 out of 4 stars. Beth and Bill on KEZ’s top morning radio show in Arizona called 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' "A beautiful and well written song... very impressive.”

The songs created such a buzz that even before their actual release date; radio stations everywhere were playing them.

"It was crazy, I kept on getting all these calls to do radio interviews and we hadn't even released the songs yet,” states Kenyon. "I'd do them of course... I think the interview on Clear Channel actually started it all. I believe they went out to something like 750 stations nationwide."

The interview on Clear Channel seemed to create such a wild fire effect, Kenyon spent most of 2002 traveling to perform and promote the songs. Soon, offers began to poor in from some very high profile independent labels as well as one from a major label.

Then tragedy struck when Kenyon's, then 5-year-old daughter and youngest son, were brutally sexually assaulted. "It's in those times when you really have to fall into God's arms and let him keep you standing strong,” insists Kenyon.

Kenyon took all of 2003 and most of 2004 off in order to be there for his children. That decision cost Kenyon his deal with the major label. "I'd make the same choice again,” says Kenyon. "My children need a father who's willing to sacrifice everything for them“.

In late 2004, Kenyon Grey resurfaced when he penned a deal for six of his songs to appear in the soundtrack of a film called "The Sum of One". Then in 2005, Kenyon was hired to score the musical soundtrack for another film called “Vampire Slayers“. He brought long time friend Thurane on board that project and the two created a lively soundtrack. “Hey, all these opportunities began to open up in the film industry.” Explains Kenyon. “I've really gone down a wide array of roads I guess."

Also in 2005, Kenyon helped produce another film called "The Legend of Crown King", being distributed by SPG Home Video. Then in 2006, Kenyon wrote and directed his first feature film called "The Whistler". He scored the film as well. It is distributed by Leo Film Releasing (domestic) and SPG Home Video (foreign). Steve Lustgarden at Leo Films has touted "The Whistler" as being the best ultra-low budget film he's ever seen period.

Currently, Kenyon is finishing up pre-production on another script he wrote called "The Ghost of Mary Franz". He is directing the project and he and Thurane Aung Khin are scoring the film.

Al Gerow, Night Ranger, Oingo Boingo, Keith Green, Matthew Ward, Phil Keagy, Steve Camp, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Tim McGraw, John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and Danny Elfman.

Anywhere I can see the ocean at sunset.