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Through his passion for music and desire to be an instrument in God’s hands, Kenneth Cope’s music inspires, lifts, and blesses the human soul.
“My faith is at the core of my music,” Kenneth says. “I have a passionate desire to make music that encourages faith and stimulates hope.”
Motivated by such passion, few musicians have impacted a culture or genre as acutely and intensely as this composer, producer, performer, singer, and songwriter. Kenneth consistently sets the standard for excellence in inspirational music. Born in Salt Lake City, the third of six children, Kenneth grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended the High School for the Performing Arts before leaving for Switzerland and France to serve an LDS mission.
Kenneth began his musical career focusing his songwriting on the youth and young adults of the Church by recording the 1986 Especially For Youth (EFY) theme song and going on to compose numerous songs for seven albums produced for the EFY Program. Now, more than 20 years later, Kenneth’s newly released album, All About You, is a more focused return to that earlier mission.
“All About You is filled with energy and praise,” Kenneth says. “It’s intended to not only inspire reverent reflection with its more peaceful ballads, but also, with its up-beat songs, bring an added measure of joy and energy to our weekly lives that so often seem void of religious significance.”
Kenneth produced his first solo album, Heaven —Don’t Miss It for the World in 1987 which was followed by the best-selling and critically acclaimed Greater Than Us All (1989). Songs like "His Hands" and "Never a Better Hero" have become classics. He produced two additional thematic albums: My Servant Joseph (1993) and Women at the Well (1995) once again demonstrating his songwriting prowess and contemplative nature before recording Stories from Eden’s Garden (1998), A Prayer unto Thee (1999) and Hear My Praise (2002).
Kenneth took a break from releasing solo albums to mentor and produce recording artist, Mindy Gledhill and her debut album, The Sum of All Grace. He also ventured into the world of film scoring by writing and producing an original score for Joseph Smith, The Seer, an interactive CD-ROM that explores and examines the life of the prophet. In 2005 he released the 200th anniversary edition of My Servant Joseph and Face to Face: The Kenneth Cope Collection. All About You (2008) is the fourth contemporary album of the 11 he has released during his varied musical career.
Currently, he is collaborating with author Susan Easton Black and artist Liz Lemon Swindle on a multimedia presentation to chronicle the life of Christ, titled Son of Man.
Recognizing Kenneth’s achievements, the Faith Centered Music Association (FCMA) has awarded him numerous PEARL Awards over the years including Male Vocalist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Album of the Year. Stories from Eden's Garden earned Kenneth an Indie nomination for Contemporary Christian Album of the Year from the Association for Independent Music.
Despite his much acclaimed achievements and successful musical career, Kenneth’s true passion remains at home. “I am most passionate about my family,” Kenneth said. “Personally, no earthly honor, attainment or diversion has ever been able to eclipse the joy I continue to feel in the company of my family.
Kenneth lives with his wife Kathy and their three daughters in Salt Lake City, Utah.
