Kenny Bishop
Encyclopedia
Kenny Bishop traveled with his father Kenneth Bishop Sr. and his older brother Mark Bishop from 1984 to 2001 as a part of the Southern Gospel
trio The Bishops. The group earned several industry and fan awards including the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award. They had several number one and top ten songs on the genre's music charts. The group traveled mostly within the United States
and made several appearances on both Christian and mainstream television. They recorded more than two dozen audio and video recordings. Many of their songs were written by Mark, who often wrote story-songs or ballads intended to make a spiritual or inspirational point. The Bishops were also noted for their a capella recordings and performances known as "front porch singing."
While performing with the group, Kenny worked as a part time political advisor and consultant, helping run and manage local and regional political campaigns. In the fall of 2002 Kenny joined the campaign staff of U.S. Congressman Ernie Fletcher
. The following year the Congressman ran for Governor of Kentucky
and was elected to a four year term. Kenny went to work in the Fletcher administration as the executive director of Kentucky's Governor's Mansion.
During his tenure as executive director Kenny helped establish the annual Easter Egg Roll at the Governor's Mansion in 2004. He also served as a member of the Historic Properties Advisory Commission, and on the board of the Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization formed to raise funds for the renovation of the Kentucky's executive residence. Kenny managed the multi-,illion dollar renovation project that was begun in the winter of 2006. He also serves on the board of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
Kenny's first solo recording on Daywind Records was released in May 2006. The recording was nominated for a 2007 GRAMMY award in the Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album category. The self-titled release was also nominated for two GMA Dove Awards for the songs "The Prodigal's Dad" (written by Jeff Steele) and "Don't Let Who You Are Keep You Away" (written by Bishop). The same album contains the hit song "Lord Have Mercy!", written by Sonya Isaacs
(who sings backup in Bishop's version) and several other songs co-written by Bishop as well as other well known gospel music writers.
Kenny has performed for heads of state, including US presidents, governors as well as other dignitaries and officials. He has been a regular performer on the Gaither Homecoming
video series and radio program, and has performed on Nashville's Grand Ole Opry
, Fox News
, C-SPAN
, CNN
, and PBS
. His story has been featured in Billboard
, Country Weekly Magazine and in various Christian music publications.
Kenny has defined his music's message with a stated mission and purpose based on his understanding that everyone, without exception, qualifies for God's grace.
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
trio The Bishops. The group earned several industry and fan awards including the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award. They had several number one and top ten songs on the genre's music charts. The group traveled mostly within the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and made several appearances on both Christian and mainstream television. They recorded more than two dozen audio and video recordings. Many of their songs were written by Mark, who often wrote story-songs or ballads intended to make a spiritual or inspirational point. The Bishops were also noted for their a capella recordings and performances known as "front porch singing."
While performing with the group, Kenny worked as a part time political advisor and consultant, helping run and manage local and regional political campaigns. In the fall of 2002 Kenny joined the campaign staff of U.S. Congressman Ernie Fletcher
Ernie Fletcher
Ernest Lee "Ernie" Fletcher is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Kentucky. In 1999, he was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives; he resigned in 2003 after being elected the 60th governor of Kentucky and served in that office...
. The following year the Congressman ran for Governor of Kentucky
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
and was elected to a four year term. Kenny went to work in the Fletcher administration as the executive director of Kentucky's Governor's Mansion.
During his tenure as executive director Kenny helped establish the annual Easter Egg Roll at the Governor's Mansion in 2004. He also served as a member of the Historic Properties Advisory Commission, and on the board of the Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization formed to raise funds for the renovation of the Kentucky's executive residence. Kenny managed the multi-,illion dollar renovation project that was begun in the winter of 2006. He also serves on the board of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
Kenny's first solo recording on Daywind Records was released in May 2006. The recording was nominated for a 2007 GRAMMY award in the Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album category. The self-titled release was also nominated for two GMA Dove Awards for the songs "The Prodigal's Dad" (written by Jeff Steele) and "Don't Let Who You Are Keep You Away" (written by Bishop). The same album contains the hit song "Lord Have Mercy!", written by Sonya Isaacs
Sonya Isaacs
Sonya Melissa Isaacs is an American country and Christian music singer. Isaacs grew up near Morrow, Ohio, and graduated from Little Miami High School in 1992....
(who sings backup in Bishop's version) and several other songs co-written by Bishop as well as other well known gospel music writers.
Kenny has performed for heads of state, including US presidents, governors as well as other dignitaries and officials. He has been a regular performer on the Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither...
video series and radio program, and has performed on Nashville's Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
, Fox News
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
, C-SPAN
C-SPAN
C-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
, CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, and PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
. His story has been featured in Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
, Country Weekly Magazine and in various Christian music publications.
Kenny has defined his music's message with a stated mission and purpose based on his understanding that everyone, without exception, qualifies for God's grace.