Keith Thomas (record producer)
Keith Thomas is an American music producer and songwriter. His production and artist management company, Levosia Entertainment, is currently in Nashville, Tennessee. He has worked on 40 No. 1 Billboard charts and has received multiple Grammy Awards.
Career
Born and raised in the Atlanta suburb of Conyers, Georgia,[1] Thomas was singing lead for his father's gospel group by the age of 9. His ability as a keyboard player led him, while still in high school, to recording sessions in the Atlanta studio. Here he came to the attention of country superstar Ronnie Milsap.
Thomas moved to Nashville as Ronnie's first staff writer for Milsap's newly formed publishing company, Ronjoy Music. Shortly thereafter, Thomas signed on with Word Records and began a seven-year tenure as their staff writer and producer. During this time, Thomas produced over 16 albums for various artists earning over 20 No. 1 singles.
Encouraged by this success, Thomas left Word and founded his own publishing and production company, Yellow Elephant Music, and began writing and producing music for BeBe & CeCe Winans. During their four album collaboration, the three sold over 3 million albums and had nine top 30 singles, six of which went top 10 and two of which went No. 1. As a result of this relationship, BeBe & CeCe Winans earned four Grammy awards, an additional Grammy nomination, and five Dove awards.
1990s
In 1991, Thomas crossed over into the world of mainstream pop when he partnered with longtime friend and Christian contemporary musician Amy Grant to collect their first No. 1, Top 40 hit, "Baby Baby." At the same time, Thomas focused his music on former Miss America, soon to become global pop star and actress, Vanessa Williams. He produced five tracks on her Comfort Zone album including the No. 1 hit, "Save the Best for Last". These two No. 1 songs with Grant and Williams earned Thomas Grammy nominations for Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year.
Responding to the momentum created by this success, Thomas owned The Bennett House recording studio in Franklin, Tennessee. Twenty minutes from downtown Nashville, The Bennett House not only accommodates Thomas' personal project studio and administrative offices but also offers outside clients a 19th-century recording environment that is unique in the Nashville music scene.
Christening the move into The Bennett House, Thomas gained his attention again to Amy Grant by writing and producing for her House of Love album. This album featured several hits for Thomas including the songs, "Lucky One," and the title track, "House of Love." Thomas produced the song "The Sweetest Days" for Vanessa Williams as well as records for James Ingram, Peabo Bryson, Deborah Cox, Regina Belle and Wendy Moten. In 1995, Thomas wrote and produced the hit song, "I Could Fall in Love," for Selena. though became the first artist to place both a Spanish- and an English-language song in the top 10 of the Hot Latin Tracks chart. "I Could Fall in Love" became the fifth best-charting song from that chart in 1995 and remained the highest-charting English-language song for two years, until Celine Dion's 1998 single "My Heart Will Go On" surpassed it when it peaked at number 1. The album, Dreaming of You, on which "I Could Fall in Love" appears, has now been certified 35x platinum. That year Thomas also produced Williams' Academy Award-winning single, "Colors of the Wind," for the multi-platinum selling motion picture soundtrack, Pocahontas.
In 1997, Thomas completed tracks for Grant's next album, Behind the Eyes and Williams' follow up album, Next. He also produced records for Michael Bolton, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Tamia and Puff Johnson.
In early 1998, Thomas produced several songs for Williams and Jon Secada for the movie, Dance with Me. He also produced the track, "I Do (Cherish You)," for 98 Degrees' multi-platinum album on Universal Records, 98° and Rising. The song was also featured in the movie, Notting Hill, that starred Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. In addition, Thomas was nominated for a Grammy for Producer of the Year for the 1998 Grammy awards.
In late 1998, Thomas served as the principal producer and co-executive producer for the soundtrack Touched by an Angel featuring songs inspired by the popular TV series. On this project, Thomas worked with Deana Carter, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Uncle Sam and Wynonna.
Early in 1999, Thomas produced the track "Precious Wings" with actress/singer Tatyana Ali for the movie The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. During that year he also produced tracks for Yolanda Adams, Wild Orchid and Vanessa Williams. Thomas also produced the song "You're Where I Belong" for Trisha Yearwood for the movie Stuart Little.
2000s
In early 2000, Thomas wrote and produced the hit song, "I Wanna Be with You," for Mandy Moore. The song was featured in the Columbia Pictures film, Center Stage.
In 2009, Thomas produced the Grammy Award-winning Heather Headley album, Audience of One. In 2012, Thomas produced the Grammy-nominated band, Forever Jones' new album, Musical Revival released April 10, 2012 on EMI Records. He also reunited with Headley in 2012 to produce a project in conjunction with her lead role in the stage adaptation of The Body Guard, which opened in the UK, November 2012. The Whitney Houston tribute moves from the West End to Broadway in 2014.
2010s
Thomas also produced the title track and three additional songs for The Voice finalist, Chris Mann's 2012 debut CD, Roads on Universal Republic.
In early 2013, Thomas was asked to participate in the reality series Chasing Nashville on Lifetime, which follows seven inspiring artists from West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina.
2019 lawsuit
In August 2019, American singer Jordan Pruitt filed a lawsuit against Thomas for past abuse she had experienced from him while being in the music industry.
Discography
The album credits below, while comprehensive, may contain omissions.
| 2016 | I'll Be Home For Christmas • Please Come Home For Christmas | The Tenors | Producer/Programmer/Arranger |
| 2016 | Christmas Is Here | Danny Gokey | Dove Award "Best Christmas Album" |
| 2016 | Romantico | Ray Vega Soundtrack PBS Special | Producer/Writer/Programmer/Arranger |
| 2016 | Can't Stop Love | Chandler Stephens & Kane Brown | ProducerProgrammer |
| 2016 | Patchwork Heart • CMT Featured Song & Video | Chandler Stephens | ProducerProgrammer |
| 2015 | When Worlds Collide | The Tenors | Producer/Writer/Programmer/Arranger |
| 2015 | Christmas Is Here | Danny Gokey | Producer/Writer/Programmer/Arranger |
| 2014 | Hope in Front of Me | Danny Gokey | Producer/Writer • One Life, It's Not Over, This Is What It Means, Because of You |
| 2013 | The Promised Land | Marsha Hancock | Executive Producer/Producer/Writer (Theme Song For Lifetime Reality Series, Chasing Nashville) |
| 2013 | Chasing Nashville Soundtrack | Multiple Artists | Executive Producer/Producer/Writer |
| 2013 | Boys 'Round Here (Remix) | Blake Shelton | Producer/Arranger |
| 2013 | Long Way To Go (Remix) | Josh Gracin | Producer/Arranger - Average Joe's Entertainment |
| 2013 | The Only One in the World | Heather Headley | Producer/Writer |
| 2012 | Musical Revival | ForeverJONES | Producer |
| 2011 | The Ultimate Sacrifice | Bebe Winans | Producer |
| 2010 | Voice of Heaven | Laura Turner | Producer, arranger, songwriter |
| 2009 | The Real Thing | Vanessa Williams | Producer, arranger, Programmer, Piano |
| 2009 | Audience of One | Heather Headley | Producer, arranger, Programmer, Piano |
| 2009 | Stand (In The Light) | James Ingram | Producer, arranger, Programmer, writer |
| 2009 | Still (Reunion Project) | Bebe & Cece Winans | Producer, arranger, Programmer, writer |
| 2008 | WOW Gospel 2008 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2007 | Ultimate Collection | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Producer |
| 2007 | Timeless: The Selah Collection | Selah | Keyboards, Programming, producer |
| 2007 | Rissi Palmer | Rissi Palmer | Piano, arranger, producer |
| 2007 | Number 1's: Love Songs | Various Artists | Arranger, producer |
| 2007 | Number 1's: '90 Soul | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2007 | Colorful World Children's Book | Cece Winans | Co-writer - Maren Green Publishing |
| 2007 | Greatest Hits [Sparrow] | Amy Grant | Producer |
| 2007 | Eighties: The Ultimate Collection | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2007 | Definitive Collection | First Call | Producer |
| 2007 | Definitive Collection | Steve Camp | Producer |
| 2006 | WOW Gospel 2006 | Various Artists | Arranger, producer |
| 2006 | Treasures: A Collection of Their Greatest Hits | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Arranger, producer |
| 2006 | Nativity Story: Sacred Songs | Original Soundtrack | Producer |
| 2006 | Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album | Selah | Keyboards, Programming, producer |
| 2005 | Purified | CeCe Winans | Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Piano, arranger, Drums, Guitar (Bass), Keyboards, producer, Executive Producer, Drum Programming |
| 2005 | Disney's Greatest Hits [# 1] | Disney | Arranger, producer |
| 2004 | Walt Disney Records Presents Superstar Hits | Disney | Arranger, producer |
| 2004 | Love Songs | Vanessa Williams | Arranger, producer |
| 2004 | In This Skin [Bonus Tracks & DVD] | Jessica Simpson | Bass, arranger, Keyboards, Programming, producer, Mixing |
| 2004 | The Hard Way | Owsley | Strings, producer, Photography |
| 2004 | Greatest Hits 1986-2004 | Amy Grant | Producer, Remix Producer, Remix Arrangement |
| 2004 | Best of Peabo Bryson [Columbia] | Peabo Bryson | Synthesizer, Programming, producer, Drum Programming, Original Recording Producer |
| 2004 | The Best of Mandy Moore | Mandy Moore | Synthesizer, Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, arranger, producer, Drum |
| 2004 | BeBe & CeCe Winans [Platinum Disc] | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Producer |
| 2003 | WOW Hits 2004 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2003 | Simple Things | Amy Grant | Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Keyboards, Programming, producer, Executive Producer, Drum Programming, Mixing |
| 2003 | In This Skin | Jessica Simpson | Bass, Keyboards, Programming, producer, Mixing |
| 2003 | History Makers: The Best of Gospel, Vol. 1 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2003 | Great Family of Gospel | The Winans Family | Producer |
| 2003 | 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The | Vanessa Williams | Arranger, producer, String Arrangements |
| 2002 | Selena [Original Soundtrack 2003] | Original Soundtrack | Producer, Song Writer |
| 2002 | Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church | Charlotte Church | Producer |
| 2002 | Great Women of Gospel, Vol. 3 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2002 | Disney's Superstar Hits | Disney | Arranger, producer |
| 2001 | Osmosis Jones | Original Soundtrack | Arranger, producer |
| 2001 | Great Gospel Moments: Men of Gospel | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2001 | Enchantment | Charlotte Church | Arranger, producer, Synthesizer Programming |
| 2000 | WOW Gold | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2000 | Super Hits | Peabo Bryson | Arranger, producer |
| 2000 | Isn't She Great | Burt Bacharach | Programming, producer |
| 2000 | I Wanna Be with You | Mandy Moore | Guitar (Acoustic), arranger, Programming, producer, Drum Programming, Synthesizer Programming, writer |
| 2000 | Heart of a Champion | Carman | Producer, writer |
| 2000 | Disney's Greatest Hits | Various Artists | Producer |
| 2000 | Center Stage [Sony] | Original Soundtrack | Synthesizer, Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, arranger, producer, Drum Programming, writer |
| 2000 | At Last | Gladys Knight | Arranger, producer |
| 1999 | WOW 2000 | Various Artists | Producer |
| 1999 | Mountain High... Valley Low | Yolanda Adams | Multi Instruments, producer, writer |
| 1999 | The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland | Original Soundtrack | Producer |
| 1998 | Yours Faithfully | Rebbie Jackson | Arranger, producer |
| 1998 | Very Best of Vanessa Williams [Polygram International] | Vanessa Williams | Producer |
| 1998 | Touched by an Angel: The Album | Television Soundtrack | Executive Producer, arranger, producer, String Arrangements, |
| 1998 | Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years | Vanessa Williams | Synthesizer, Bass, arranger, Keyboards, producer, String Arrangements, Drum Programming, Piano Programming |
| 1998 | Everything's Gonna Be Alright | Deana Carter | Arranger, Keyboards, producer |
| 1998 | Disney's Greatest Pop Hits | Various Artists | Arranger, producer |
| 1998 | Dance with Me | Original Soundtrack | Arranger, producer |
| 1998 | Audra & Alayna | Audra & Alayna | Guitar (Acoustic), arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Melodica, producer |
| 1998 | 98° and Rising | 98° | Bass, Keyboards, Producer (I Do Cherish You) |
| 1997 | Takes a Little Time | Amy Grant | Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, producer |
| 1997 | Speed 2: Cruise Control | Original Soundtrack | Synthesizer, Piano, arranger, Programming, producer |
| 1997 | One Night with You: The Best of Love, Vol. 2 | Luther Vandross | Synthesizer, arranger, producer, String Arrangements, Bass Programming |
| 1997 | Next | Vanessa Williams | Synthesizer, Guitar, Piano, arranger, Programming, producer, String Arrangements, Drum Programming, Keyboard Programming, Bass Programming |
| 1997 | Behind the Eyes | Amy Grant | Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, arranger, Guitar (Electric), Keyboards, Programming, producer, String Arrangements, Synthesizer Programming |
| 1997 | Anytime | Brian McKnight | Synthesizer, Piano, arranger, producer, Bass Programming |
| 1997 | All That Matters | Michael Bolton | Multi Instruments, Drum Programming, Bass Programming, producer |
| 1996 | This Is the Time: The Christmas Album | Michael Bolton | Guitar, arranger, producer, String Arrangements, Drum Programming, Piano Programming, Synthesizer Programming |
| 1996 | NBA at 50: A Musical Celebration | Various Artists | Synthesizer, Piano, arranger, Programming, producer, String Arrangements, Drum Programming, Piano Programming, Synthesizer Programming |
| 1996 | Miracle | Puff Johnson | Synthesizer, Guitar, Piano, arranger, Programming, producer |
| 1996 | Kissing Rain | Roch Voisine | Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Programming, producer |
| 1996 | First Wives Club [Original Soundtrack] | Original Soundtrack | Producer |
| 1996 | Count on Me/Hold Up the Light | Whitney Houston/Cece & BeBe Winans | Arranger, producer |
| 1995 | WOW 1996: The Year's 30 Top Christian Artists and Son | Various Artists | Producer |
| 1995 | Tapestry Revisited: A Tribute to Carole King | Various Artists | Piano, Piano (Electric), producer, String Arrangements |
| 1995 | Sweetest Days | Vanessa Williams | Bass, Piano, Programming, producer, String Arrangements |
| 1995 | Reachin' Back | Regina Belle | Synthesizer, producer, Bass Programming |
| 1995 | Pocahontas [Original Soundtrack] | Original Soundtrack | Arranger, Producer • Academy Award Best Song For Motion Picture |
| 1995 | Greatest Hits | Exposé | Synthesizer, arranger, producer, Bass Programming |
| 1995 | I Could Fall in Love | Selena | Synthesizer, arranger, producer, Programmed Bass, writer |
| 1995 | Deborah Cox | Deborah Cox | Synthesizer, Bass |
| 1994 | Through the Fire | Peabo Bryson | Synthesizer, Percussion, arranger, Drums, Programming, producer, Vocal Arrangement |
| 1994 | Relationships | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Arranger, writer |
| 1994 | Pure Pleasure | Phil Perry | Bass, Percussion, arranger, Keyboards, producer, Keyboard Programming, Track Arrangement |
| 1994 | Pagemaster | James Horner | Producer |
| 1994 | The Mask [Original Soundtrack] | Original Soundtrack | Producer |
| 1994 | Lucky One [CD Single] | Amy Grant | Producer |
| 1994 | Kathy Troccoli | Kathy Troccoli | Synthesizer, Percussion, Drums, Programming, producer |
| 1994 | House of Love | Amy Grant | Synthesizer, Bass, Piano, arranger, Piano (Electric), Programming, producer, String Arrangements, Drum Programming, Percussion Programming, Synthesizer Programming |
| 1994 | Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert | Original Soundtrack | Arranger, producer |
| 1994 | 8 Seconds | 8 Seconds: Original Soundtrack | Arranger, producer |
| 1993 | Wannagirl | Jeremy Jordan | Synthesizer, Bass, arranger, Drums, Keyboards, Vocals (background), producer, writer, Vocal Arrangement, Drum Programming |
| 1993 | Always You | James Ingram | Arranger, Drums, Keyboards, Programming, producer, Drum Programming, Keyboard Programming, Bass Programming |
| 1993 | Absolute Best | Carman | Producer |
| 1992 | Trey Lorenz | Trey Lorenz | Bass, arranger, Keyboards, producer, Vocal Arrangement, Drum Programming |
| 1991 | Shakin' The House | Carman | Synthesizer, Bass, arranger, Programming, producer, Drum Programming, Synclavier Horns, Synthesizer Programming |
| 1991 | Addicted to Jesus | Carman | Producer, arranger, Instruments, Programming, Keyboards, Bass, Synth Guitar, Drum Programming |
| 1991 | Heart in Motion | Amy Grant | Synthesizer, Bass, arranger, Drums, Vocals (background), producer, Drum Programming, Percussion Programming |
| 1991 | Different Lifestyles | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Synthesizer, Bass, Percussion, arranger, producer, Drum Programming, Instrumentation |
| 1991 | The Comfort Zone | Vanessa Williams | Bass, arranger, Keyboards, Programming, producer, Vocal Arrangement, String Arrangements, Drum Programming, Rhythm Arrangements |
| 1990 | River of Love | David Foster | Synthesizer Programming |
| 1989 | The Choice of a New Generation | Pepsi | Producer, Synclavier, (International Theme Song) |
| 1989 | Precious Moments: Fall '88 | Steve & Annie Chapman | Piano, Overdubs, Synclavier, String Arrangements, Synthesizer Overdubs |
| 1989 | Revival in the Land | Carman | Synthesizer, Bass, arranger, producer, Drum Programming, Synclavier Horns, Synclavier Drums |
| 1988 | New World | Karla Bonoff | Synthesizer, Bass, arranger, producer, String Arrangements, Drum Programming |
| 1988 | Live: Radically Saved | Carman | Synthesizer, Guitar (Acoustic), Bass, Percussion, arranger, Keyboards, Vocals (background), Multi Instruments, producer, Synclavier, Introduction |
| 1988 | Lead Me On | Amy Grant | Synclavier, Keyboards |
| 1988 | Heaven | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Synthesizer, Bass, Piano, arranger, Drums, Guitar (Steel), Programming, producer, Synclavier, Vocal Arrangement, Horn Arrangements, Drum Programming |
| 1987 | This Year's Model | The Imperials | Arrangements (rhythm tracks), Keyboards (additional), Keyboards, Drum Programming, songwriter |
| 1987 | Something Takes Over | First Call | Keyboards, Programming, Track Arrangement |
| 1987 | I Prefer the Moonlight | Kenny Rogers | Keyboards |
| 1987 | BeBe & CeCe Winans | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Keyboards, Vocals (background), producer, String Arrangements |
| 1986 | Velvet & Steel | Dion | Keyboards |
| 1986 | Can't Stop Talking About Him | Gaither Vocal Band | Producer |
| 1986 | Forever | Gaither Vocal Band | Producer |
| 1986 | Live And Learn | Paul Smith | Producer, songwriter, Arrangements, Programming, Keyboards |
| 1985 | Let the Wind Blow | The Imperials | Keyboards, Acoustic Piano |
| 1985 | The Champion | Carman | Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, producer, Synthesizer Programming |
| 1985 | Action | Steve Archer | Producer |
| 1984 | Comin' on Strong | Carman | Synthesizer, Bass, Acoustic Piano, Programming, Vocals (background), producer, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer Bass, Moog Bass |
| 1983 | Side by Side | The Imperials | Producer, Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Vocoder, Vocals (background) |
| 1981 | For Every Man | Steve Camp | Producer, Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes, Vocals (background), songwriter |
| 1981 | Love Overflowing | Sandi Patti | Arranger, Keyboards, Track Arrangement |
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-01-30. Retrieved 2010-04-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
