Dallas/Fort Worth-area gospel recording artist Kenny Skinner’s debut single released eight years after his mother’s passing
Andre Johnson 
A MAKING HEADLINE NEWS VALENTINE’S DAY 2018 SPECIAL REPORT
DALLAS — Valentine’s Day 2018 is one about which Kenny Skinner will remember for years to come.
Probably for the rest of his life.
Credit a few key members of his family and the single, most underlying reason why.
“I have great support from my family,” Skinner, the Music Director of Empowered Outreach Church in Denton, Texas (Senior Pastor Kenneth D. Davis) said during an exclusive interview this week with Making Headline News. “I’m fortunate to have both grandmothers living. They are my number one supporters. They both keep me grounded.”
Much to his delight and most importantly, Skinner has his beloved mother, Dianne Mitchell Skinner, to thank for having arguably the biggest impact on his life.
A proud preacher’s kid who is a native of nearby Longview, Texas, Skinner was brought up in the historic Church of God In Christ, during which so he was a fixture for the Young People Willing Workers Department (or YPWW), not to mention a regular attendee of Sunday School, morning and evening worship services, midweek Bible Study, as well as the Sunshine Band and Purity Class.
To his distinctly unique credit, that his mother kept him surrounded mostly in a Christian-oriented environment essentially proved beneficial for Skinner, an accomplished gospel singer and the mastermind behind his recently-released debut single entitled, “More Like You.”
LISTEN TO KENNY SKINNER’S DEBUT SINGLE HERE: https://kennyskinner.hearnow.com/
A song that is powered by his debut forthcoming album entitled, “Kenny Skinner Forty Eight,” Skinner’s featured spiritual hit was officially released on February 2 — ironically on his 40th birthday — and a little more than eight years since his beloved, big-hearted angel departed this earth for her heavenly reward.
Widely regarded as his “best friend” and inspiration, Mitchell Skinner passed away on January 23, 2010 at the tender age of 58.
Aside from having instilled in her son some rich, life-enhancing godly principles, Mitchell Skinner was also responsible for paving the way for her son through the gospel music industry, considering she was a devoted musician in her own right.
“She’d have me on the stool as she would play during service,” Skinner recalled. “I think that’s where the passion of music was cultivated.”
Interestingly, Mitchell Skinner, was a praise and worship fixture in the Body of Christ, most notably as a longtime musician for her father, late Superintendent F. L. Mitchell.
“When my father was called to ministry, he wanted my mother to come along with him; however, that’d left my grandfather without a musician,” Skinner explained. “My mother prayed and asked God to send her father a musician so that she could honor my dad’s request, not knowing that (through God), I’d be the answered prayer.”
Indeed Skinner was the answer to a much-needed prayer request. Never mind he was only seven years of age and hadn’t spent one minute taking piano lessons. Because at the end of the real day, what he had ultimately discovered is that had been strategically set him aside for God’s use.
“God blessed me with the gift to play the piano,” Skinner said. “I would travel all across the world with my grandfather. Both of my grandfathers were singers as well. My other grandfather was a musician, so I’ve been truly blessed to carry both legacies.”
Consequently, Skinner was offered the opportunity to be my mother’s care giver during the final seven months of her life.
“I saw things that no children should ever have to witness,” Skinner said.
For what it’s worth, Skinner’s intimate time with his mother month’s before she expired essentially had provided him with a newfound disposition on life — the sort of change that eventually fueled his desire to serve God unlike never before, especially through his immeasurable and globally-acclaimed music talents.
Credit a few key members of his family and the single, most underlying reason why.
Especially good ole Mama Skinner.
“We really didn’t have a choice,” said Skinner, referring to his notable upbringing and heavy involvement in the church. “I was also the musician for both of my grandfather’s churches. I have five siblings. My mother had two sets of twins. I’m one of them (twin sister). We had Sunday School on the way to church and, if we didn’t learn the memory verse, my mother would pinch us under the arms.”
As it turned out, those customary pinches, coupled with his mother’s unyielding support, benefited Skinner mightily throughout the years.
Now we know why.
Having witnessed God positioning him for ministry at a relatively early age — “I just wasn’t fully ready to totally surrender,” Skinner admitted — this young PK had finally sold out to his Creator on May 22, 2016, a development that eventually gave way to him preaching his first sermon.
Never mind that while a college undergrad, he was carjacked at gun point.
Never mind that he literally saw his life flash before him.
“All I remember saying was, ‘The Blood of Jesus,’” Skinner said. “That was scary. Even though God brought me out, I still was straddling the fence. I didn’t truly surrender until the passing of my mom. That’s when life became real to me.”
The rest, as they say, was history.
Because all that matters today is that Dianne Mitchell Skinner’s beloved son has not only sold out completely to God, but he’s successfully carrying out her well-publicized legacy in the process.
Yep. That’s just like God.
“My prayer is that the song not only ministers, but inspires the listener to become more like Christ,” Skinner said of his newly-released debut single. “We’re living in a society where Christianity is becoming less and less popular. As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to live a life that pleasing to the Father.
“”As we align ourselves according to the Father’s will, others would be drawn to him,” added Skinner, who’s currently working on new music projects that are scheduled to be released later this year.
Finally, this young psalmist deemed it essential to go into preaching mode, of sorts which, come to think of it, isn’t merely a surprise, considering he hails from a family full of preachers.
“We are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?” said Skinner, reciting the familiar passage that is Matthew 5:13. “It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
All things considered, credit a few key members of his family and the single, most underlying reason why Skinner is determined to live — and sing — for Almighty God.
All things considered, there’s no doubt that Valentine’s Day 2018 is one about which he will remember for years to come.
Probably for the rest of his life.
For more information on Gospel Recording Artist Kenny Skinner or to purchase his album or schedule him for a singing engagement, connect with him via under “Kenny Skinner.” Also, send email to: [email protected]
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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
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