Durham, NC (PRWEB) October 21, 2013
Singer, songwriter and producer KEM brings Christmas and his hits to DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, on December 16, 2013. His last performance at DPAC was a sold-out show in April of 2011. This show is presented in partnership with the DOME Group, Inc.
Tickets go on sale Friday, October 25 at 10 a.m.:
- Online at DPACnc.com
- DPAC Ticket Center: 919.680.2787, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC
- Ticketmaster.com / Ticketmaster Charge by phone at 800.745.3000
Friends of DPAC members may place their orders on October 23. Joining Friends of DPAC is free, and you can register at http://www.dpacnc.com/fod.
KEM’s latest, WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS, is comprised of five original Christmas compositions and five covers of traditional Christmas classics. Highlighted by a duet with Verve recording artist Ledisi on “Be Mine For Christmas,” the album also includes orchestral arrangements by Motown legend Paul Reiser. On October 29, 2013, KEM will release the Deluxe Edition of his WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS album on Kemistry/Motown with four new bonus tracks, including the single “Jesus,” featuring Patti LaBelle and Ronald Isley.
Music saw KEM through the darkest moments in his life as a child, which is where his love of music began.
After high school, his life took a downward turn, and he eventually found himself in and out of drug rehabilitation centers and homeless shelters. Music was his solace during those times, and he played the shelter’s piano every night. He hit rock bottom when, after breaking shelter rules, he was relegated to sleeping outside. It was there that he became determined to change his life.
He began waiting tables and booked weddings and other gigs that would allow him to perform his original music. He continued to write, and eventually, record his music.
In February of 2001, KEM independently released his first CD KEMISTRY and sold nearly 15,000 CDs, piquing the interest of Motown Records. The label signed KEM to a five-record deal in November 2001. His next effort, ALBUM II, was certified gold after just two weeks of its release in May 2005.
KEM’s popularity grew as his third project INTIMACY debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. The first single “Why Would You Stay” spent several weeks at #1 on the Urban AC Radio charts, and the album’s second and third singles, “Share My Life” and “If It’s Love,” both climbed into the chart’s top five; INTIMACY was soon certified gold as well.
KEM wrote and recorded a duet with Ronald Isley entitled “My Favorite Thing” which was released as the second single from Isley’s 2013 CD THIS SONG IS FOR YOU. The two R&B singers also starred in the music video for the single.
Combined, KEM’s four albums have sold in excess of 2.4 million units.
In January 2013, KEM made his first trip to Japan to perform at the Blue Note in Tokyo. Japan is one of KEM’s strongest international markets.
KEM’s acting debut came with the release of the movie SPARKLE in August 2012, which starred Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston; KEM played the role of Buddy, the club owner.
In 2012, KEM founded Mack & Third, Inc., a Michigan domestic non-profit corporation that assists organizations that support the homeless community, including the shelters and organizations which supported KEM throughout his journey from homelessness and addiction to sobriety and success. KEM’s annual Mack & Third event is an all-day free concert to benefit and recognize Detroit’s homeless citizens. KEM presented his third Mack & Third event in Detroit on August 26, 2012, which was headlined by Maze feat. Frankie Beverly. The event was attended by 55,000 fans and collected in excess of 130,000 canned goods.
In recognition of his talent, KEM was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards in 2006 and four times for the 2013 44th NAACP Image Awards.
About DPAC
Since its opening in 2008, DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, has become the center for live entertainment in the Triangle. Recognized for its contemporary design, DPAC features 2,700 seats, intimate sightlines and state-of-the art sound and video. Listed four times in the top 10 in Pollstar magazine’s annual worldwide theater attendance rankings, DPAC is currently the #3 ranked theater in the U.S.
What’s up next at DPAC? TLC’s Long Island Medium, THERESA CAPUTO LIVE! THE EXPERIENCE (October 24), Grammy©-nominated indie artist NEKO CASE (October 26) and world-renowned singer-songwriter INDIA.ARIE (October 29).
For more information, please go to http://www.DPACnc.com.