How Ron Kenoly transformed global gospel music and worship ministry

The Kenyan Boys' Choir entertain American Christian worship leader, singer and songwriter Ron Kenoly(C) at Kempisky Villa Rosa, Nairobi on December 19, 2016.  Kenoly died aged 81. [File, Standard] 

Few Gospel musicians can be described as global, authentic, versatile, inclusive and impactful. Dr Ron Kenoly fits all these and much more. He deeply influenced me in songwriting, music arrangement, studio and live productions, concert delivery, worship leading, lyrical intentionality and genre versatility. While I could write tonnes on each of the above, allow me to single out three big influences by Dr Kenoly on my music production and journey in general.

Dr Kenoly’s generous display of genre versability, ranging from his Latino sounds in “Lift Him Up” and “Ancient of Days” to Reggae vibes such as those in “Winnerman”, to RnB hits like “Beauty for Ashes”, to AfroJazz reminiscent of Hugh Masekela in “Sing Out”, all the way to the quiet melancholic choral arrangements of worship balads like “Anointing Fall on Me” and the sequel “Hallowed Be Thy Name.”