NASHVILLE, TN. (Kim
Dexter Official Website) - Kim
Dexter possesses all the right qualities to make her music ministry stand out. She's young and energetic yet already established as a performer, producer, and songwriter. Her vast retail, radio and press credits reflect her seasoned professionalism, but a profound new vision gives her the energized passion of a debut artist.
Kim is re-emerging this summer - as a solo artist. The former Mayfair Laundry vocalist has signed with California-based Christian record label 7k' Records, and her solo debut So This Is It will be in stores August 5th.
In the 1990's, Mayfair Laundry was signed to the now defunct Pamplin Music, and toured constantly in support of a string of radio hits. When not on the road, Kim was working behind the scenes producing and writing music for several companies specialzing in music and video releases for children. Kim wrote the theme song for the immensely popular Bibleman video series as well as tracks for artists such as Bryan Duncan, Nicole C. Mullen, and Kim Boyce.
After Mayfair Laundry went separate ways, conflicts in Kim's personal life brought new empowerment to the singer's music and ministry mandate. Struck by personal struggles within herself and with loved ones around her, Kim found her eyes opened to how much people really are hurting and what it takes to trust God through those times. Through her own dark moments, Kim wrote cathartic new songs that offered practical life lessons, and she began performing her music-driven message to churches and venues across the country. Though a seasoned artist, Kim marveled at the way God used her new songs to bring solace and assurance to rattled souls.
"Through my own experience, I realized how many people are hurting in so many ways," says Kim. "Most people suffer in ways you'd never know. I want to show others what I learned about God and how He can help them in their lives. This record is focused on finding healing for the hurting and delivering the strong message of surrendering your life."
The song "Broken Hearted" could easily represent the new album's theme of trusting God through times when nothing makes sense, while "Take Me Down" draws on personal experience of what God can do when one does finally surrender. Likewise, "Your Promises" encourages the downtrodden to read and believe God's promises even when the hurt makes faith a real test. The album is a mix of high-energy pop ("Fill Me Up") and worshipful ballads ("We Need Jesus"), and the first radio single, "Wait (I'm Gonna Get There)," is an upbeat song featuring guest vocals by Christian music icon (and fellow Southern California resident) Bryan Duncan.
The credits for So This Is It read like an all-star band. Musicians lending their talent to the project include Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Joni Mitchell, Faith Hill, and Christina Aguilera), Tim Pierce (Stephen Curtis Chapman, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Jewel) and Matt Bissonette (Ringo Star, Boz Skaggs), among others.
At present, Kim's primary goal is getting the music and message out to the people who need to hear it most. Fortunately, the songs' universal appeal allows the singer to perform in excitingly different ways, whether with a full band or simply on a piano or guitar. In fact, Kim often leads a time of worship during her concert, which shows just how spiritually uplifting her new music can be.
"Putting these songs to music helped me address my own situation," admits Kim. "My whole life I admired artists that used their music as an outlet. These songs represent a turning point for me because I really lived and felt and experienced these songs, and the passion comes through in the lyrics and performances. These are my most personal songs ever."
Kim might already be an accomplished artist, but her new album and music ministry represent a brand new start.
"Hopefully, with God's help, these transparent musical confessions can bring more new starts for all the hurting souls that hear them."
So This Is It will be released by 7k' Records on August 5, 2006. 7k' Records is distributed by TAG Artist Group, LLC in Nashville, Tennessee, also home to Bryan Duncan, Dino, Phil Keaggy, Clay Crosse, Kent Bottenfield, Leon Patillo, Steve Archer, Chuckie Perez, Bruce Carroll, Ceili Rain, Randy Stonehill, Janelle, Chronos, Substance, Joy Oliver and more.
