Creative Choices Crisis Pregnancy Center
Press release May 13, 2009
Contact Jim Kelly 252-473-5513
New Gospel CD Features Local Songwriter
Singer songwriter Jim Kelly of Wanchese, has released a new CD titled “Here Am I
Lord”. The album includes 13 gospel songs, 11 written by Kelly and two co-written with
Ken Mann and Patty Letz. Kelly was born and raised in Arkansas in the foothills of the
Ozarks, but has lived on the Outer Banks for the past 20 years.
Kelly started playing the guitar in the early 70’s and wrote his first gospel song in 1976.
He has written almost 80 gospel and country songs. The gospel groups, Undivided and
The Captain’s Crew, have recorded some of his songs as well as singer Katy Cudworth.
This CD is Kelly’s first solo album. It has been said Kelly’s smooth voice is a cross
between Elvis Presley and Jim Reeves. The first single is the title cut “Here Am I Lord”
and has been released to radio stations in the United States by Crossroads Music and to
radio stations overseas by New Christian Music from England.
Two time Gospel Music Association musician of the year, David Johnson, arranged and
recorded the music tracks and Ken Mann worked as the studio engineer. Mann mixed
and produced the CD.
The music is a blend of folk, bluegrass and country with guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin
and harp. Each song is a story put to music as only Jim Kelly can. “Samson”, “The
Burning Bush” and “The Prodigal Son” are stories from the Bible with melodies as
captivating as the stories themselves. “I’m Thankful” and “The Peace” reflect on finding
contentment even when circumstances around you are less than perfect. Songs like
“You’ll Never Go Hungry” and “So It Is” share the reality that people have to accept
responsibility for their decisions what they do. Other songs on the CD reflect on God’s
roll in the lives of people today.
Kelly can often be heard playing at fairs, festivals and churches in North Carolina. The
CD is available in stores throughout the area or by contacting Kelly direct at
252-473-5513 or by email at jksong@embarqmail.com.