By: Janice Malone
Motown Recording Artist KEM was in concert at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center earlier this week, with his KEM & Friends ‘WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS’ Holiday Tour. It was a unique experience with a holiday-themed storyline directed by national playwright, Latteras R. Whitfield, and narrated on stage by actor/comedian Anthony Anderson. The holiday tour featured KEM performing some of his classic songs, along with holiday tunes from his first and current Christmas album, What Christmas Means, which was released last year. After the 2012 holiday season, the album had sold 76,000 copies, making it the #3 highest-selling Urban Christmas record in one season. Two tracks from the CD were nominated for the 44th NAACP Image Awards in 2013. “Glorify The King” and “Be Mine for Christmas (ft. Ledisi)” were both nominated in the ‘Outstanding Song’ category. One year later, KEM has expanded his Christmas album with four newly recorded bonus tracks. One of the stand out bonus track singles is the song “JESUS” featuring legendary R&B artists, Patti LaBelle and Ronald Isley.
Born in Nashville, this phenomenal singer-songwriter-producer burst onto the scene a decade ago when Motown Records released his debut smash hit album KEMISTRY. Shortly before the concert in Music City, KEM shares some insight on his holiday Christmas activities and more.
The first edition of the cd WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS, his first Christmas album was released last year. The current one is a deluxe edition, which includes 4bonus tracks that have been added, that features the single “Jesus” which featuring Kem, Patti LaBelle and Ron Isley. “I’m so glad the whole project’s been received so well by the public. I knew I wanted to add more songs before I finished the first CD last year.” says Kem.
TRIBUNE: How special is this project for you?
KEM: “Christmas is such a major part of my life. In celebrating the birth of the Christ, I wanted to feature music that would be a part of the public’s holiday celebration…I’m always humbled by the positive response to the music that I make, regardless if it’s a studio album or a holiday project. As an artist, you can never sell enough albums. (LoL)
TRIBUNE: What was it like to actually work with these music icons that you grew up listening to—Patti LaBelle and Ron Isley?
KEM: “Combined together, Patti and Ron have about a century of experience of working in the music industry. So working with them has definitely been the highlight of my career. They embraced, supported and taught me. So I was literally sitting at the feet of music royalty. It was an unforgettable position to be in.”
TRIBUNE: How will you be spending Christmas? Are you on the road performing or what?
KEM: “For Christmas Day I will hold a holiday brunch at my house that will last from about 11am to 3pm. My family, friends and neighbors all come over to eat really good and exchange gifts. After all that’s done, I send everybody home so I can watch the basketball game. (LoL)
TRIBUNE: So far, what’s been your most memorable Christmas?
KEM: “My favorite part of Christmas is my mother’s cooking. My siblings and I see each other all of the time but its mom’s holiday cooking that really binds all the kids together. But as a child, I can remember that every Christmas was great and happy and fun. As kids, we didn’t really know how little our family had. Every year on Christmas morning the tree was stacked with gifts My parents went out of their way to make sure our holiday experience was a memorable each year, and I’m grateful to that.”
TRIBUNE: Are you one of those guys who likes to cook it up in the kitchen during the holidays?
KEM: “I can make a few things but during the holidays I rather let the hands that are experts in cooking do those meals. I gotta leave that to the professionals.”
TRIBUNE: What are some of your personal favorite holiday dishes to eat, loving prepared by your mom?
KEM: “My mom does so many great dishes but it’s her chitlins that I look forward to eating the most every year. Now for the sophisticated black folks, they may not want to hear anything about that kind of eating. But long before we all became so sophisticated, we ate like that and I’m not ashamed to admit it. My mom also does this excellent pot of collard and turnip greens mix. And then she does this down home macaroni and cheese dish that’s so good, until all you have to do is throw away the entire pan when it’s over!”
TRIBUNE: I think I’m on my way to Detroit to your mom’s house for Christmas dinner.
KEM: (he laughs) “You’re more than welcome!”
TRIBUNE: Last question: You have this non-profit organization that’s doing amazing work in the Detroit area. Tell us the latest on what you guys have been doing and will be doing for 2014.
KEM: “I have an organization call Mack & Third that provides resources to people who help other people. Earlier this week we had a barber visit one of the Detroit area schools to give free haircuts to little boys for the holidays. The Mack & Third organization does all kinds of things from providing food to the homeless to providing toys to kids in shelters. We also support organizations to people who are recovering from substance abuse, or healing from domestic violence. We recently made a $5000 donation to an organization that helps the homeless with housing all year round. If there’s any way that we can help people become better and stronger in their lives, we try to help. When I was going through some of the most darkest periods of my life there people there to help hold me up. So I want to also do what I can try and help others in need have some of the same resources I had.”
TRIBUNE: That’s wonderful to hear. I read that you guys had an event this past summer that had over 50,000 people in attendance.”
KEM: “Yes, we plan on doing it again next year. It’s called the Mack & Third Live Concert. We had Frankie Beverly & Maze close out the show. We had Morris Day & the Time; it was great and all for a worthy cause.”
TRIBUNE: Good to hear some positive headlines coming from the city of Detroit. Thank you for this holiday chat. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.”
KEM: “Yes, there’s a lot of good things in Detroit that rarely gets reported. Thank you too for taking the time. And Merry Christmas to you and the wonderful people of Nashville.”