ABOUT JOHN LEMONIS                                                                                                          

BORN: Greenville MS, 1962

FIRST RADIO SINGLE: "Brand New Dawn" (1978), a duet with my sister Lisa Lemonis Alexander

INSTRUMENTS PLAYED: The Piano/Keyboard is my primary instrument, but I also play guitar and baritone. Okay, I don't really play baritone anymore. However, it was one of the instruments you could play at Clinton Jr. High (MS) that was actually provided, so I did play it! I started on drums but it didn't last either, once I was relocated to the garage and winter hit.

ON CHURCH WORK EXPERIENCE: I have about thirty years of experience as a Minister of Music and Worship Leader. However, through the years, I also served in the areas of Youth, Education, Evangelism, Outreach, Activities, Building Administration, Recreation, and Associate Pastor. I even did a short stint at one of my churches as Janitor when ours suddenly resigned. I literally cleaned toilets on Saturday night, then led music and preached the next morning!

MY FIRST PUBLISHED SONG: "A Call to Praise" was released by Brentwood-Benson in 1993. Ed Kee was instrumental in adding it to a collection (America's Favorite 200 Praise and Worship Songs). I wrote it with Donna Citty.

MY FIRST ARTIST CUT: "I Carried His Cross" was released by N Harmony on Homeland Records in the mid-1990's. I wrote the song with Tony Wood. It was one of our first collaborations. The song has been recorded by other groups since that first release.

MY FIRST NUMBER ONE: "Live to Worship" as released by Scott Krippayne on Spring Hill Records and made it to #1 on the Inspo Charts at about the same time as "Forever Changed" was rising to #1 on the Southern Gospel Charts for the Kingdom Heirs on a Crossroads Records release. "Live to Worship" was co-written with Tony Wood and Scott Krippayne. It was originally released on the Point of Grace project GIRLS OF GRACE, with Joy Williams singing lead. It has been released several times since, including a great rendition by PureNRG, the latter two both on Word Records. "Forever Changed" was written with Marty Funderburk and also continues to be recorded by other groups and artists. Arthur Rice recently told me it's still a crowd favorite and they regularly perform it, including this year at the end of NQC in Louisville. I've heard them sing it live and they do a wonderful job with it.

MY FAVORITE CHRISTIAN ARTISTS: I would probably go a little "old school" on a list of Christian music favorites. I don't know if anyone tops the best of Keith Green. His passion, style, and songs were awesome. He certainly influenced my music. I like a lot of The DeGarmo and Key Band's material as well. The guys in the Gaither Vocal Band (some past members, too) are all great singers. Jason Crabb is incredible. Cherie Adams and Scott Krippayne are both good artists and friends with whom I've had the pleasure of working. Downhere is a very talented band and really nice guys. Brian Free & Assurance would be toward the top of a long list of Southern Gospel artists I admire. Need to Breathe and Fee are newer artists I enjoy. Phil Keaggy, Bob Carlisle (especially in Allies), and Second Chapter of Acts are another couple of artists I listened to a while back. 

THE BEST PART OF THE ROAD: I like the adventure of discovering new places and meeting new people. I also look forward to visiting with old friends. Best of all, I love getting to share the music and message and watch while God works!

THE WORST PART OF THE ROAD: It reminds me that there's no place like home, especially where my own bed is concerned. Also, it's almost impossible to keep my exercise schedule, I eat more poorly than usual, and I tend to leave stuff all over God's creation. Thanks to those of you who have mailed things back!  : )

MY EDUCATION: ThM, BA - Andersonville Baptist Seminary, Luther Rice Seminary, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Delta State University (home of the Fighting Okra), Mississippi Delta Jr. College, and Greenville Christian School (MS).

MY CHILDREN: Nikki (1989), Tony (1991), Kara (2004)

HOBBIES: Running and Working Out, Cooking, Traveling, Playing and Watching Sports, Spending time with my children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO4anwPdJOw - "All for the Glory of You" as performed live by Mark Harris. (Harris/Lemonis/Wood)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLllXMWiDmk - The Kingdom Heirs perform "Forever Changed" live!