Keith Inman Joins Priority
We are pleased to introduce Keith Inman as Bass singer for Priority. We were able to catch up to him for this one on one interview.
On a personal note, let’s talk family….share a little family information
My wife, Cindy and I celebrated 25 years of marriage on June 30, 2009. We have 3 adopted sons: Tyler 17, Jonathan 17, and Colton 6. We call Memphis, Tennessee home.
What are your hobbies outside of gospel music?
We like just hanging out as a family, eating out, watching movies or the boys sporting events,
church activities and golfing.
Do you remember the first time that you sang in concert, what was it like?
I was 14. My family and I attended Rose Hill Baptist Church. My brothers Clayton, Phil and I first sang together as the Inman Brothers. It was a wonderful experience. I think I realized then that this was something I would do for the rest of my life. My youngest brother Greg joined the group in 1983. He and I have managed The Inmans as a quartet since that time. The year 2009 marks 32 years that I have been privileged to sing with The Inmans.
Besides working and touring, are there any special “out of the box” events scheduled in your future?
On December 17th, our family will host our 14th annual fundraiser called “Home for Christmas” to help raise money for the Memphis Union Mission. This event brings together many talented individuals from the West Tennessee area and we perform a mix of Christmas and Southern Gospel Music. The event is always well attended and the proceeds go to a worthy cause. The Memphis Union Mission is unique in that it no longer accepts federal funds because that would disallow them the opportunity to Christ with the men. By not accepting the federal funding, the shelter is free to preach and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ without interference.
Tell me a little about family life when you were growing up
I grew up in a home with a lot of music. My mother is a talented singer and she guided our move into music by teaching us harmony. Truth be known, the original quartet was started in the car on the way to church on Sunday with us boys and mom singing all the way there and all the way home.
Who were some of your influences and how did they affect your decision to sing gospel music
As a young person I looked up to all of the great bass singers of that day…George Younce, Tim Riley, Ray Dean Reese, J D Sumner, Ken Turner, & London Parris. In the house where we were raised, every Sunday morning we would watch The Gospel Singing Jubilee. Our radio was always tuned to the local gospel station. When I was 8 years old, I remember our church hosting a local quartet called The Cavaliers Quartet. That had a big impact on me as that was the first quartet I ever saw in person. J.G. Whitfield would also bring concerts to Memphis back in those days. We would go downtown to the old Ellis Auditorium to see groups like the Florida Boys, the LeFevres, the Hinsons, the Goodmans, the Dixie Echoes, the Cathedrals and London Parris & the Apostles. The Blackwood Brothers also held an annual homecoming in Memphis back then. By the way, the Ellis Auditorium is where the Blackwood Brothers founded the National Quartet Convention in 1957.
Can you share a little about your testimony?
I was raised in a Christian home and learned a lot about being a Christian from my parents. But it was not until a Wednesday evening revival meeting held on February 18, 1976 (My 13th birthday) that I hit the aisle, knelt by an old folding chair in a Sunday School room behind the sanctuary and surrendered my life to Jesus. Since that time, God has blessed my life so much with a loving, supportive, Godly wife, a beautiful family and precious Christian friends. My life verse is “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phillippians 4:13 KJV
Do you have any closing thoughts?
When I think about the history of our music, I realize that so many of our pioneers worked so hard and sacrificed so much to pave the way for the groups on the road today. It’s an honor to be associated with Southern Gospel Music, and more specifically, with the gentlemen that make up Priority. I look forward to lifting high the Banner of Christ with these guys for many years to come.
