Keith Thomas (record producer)

Brian Keith Thomasis an American record producer and songwriter fromFranklin, Tennessee.He founded the record label and artist management company Levosia Entertainment in 2003. He has received twoGrammy Awardsfrom six nominations.

Career

Born and raised in theAtlantasuburb ofConyers, Georgia,Thomas was singing lead for his father's gospel group by the age of 9. While still in high school, his ability as a keyboard player led him to recording sessions in the local Atlanta studios. Here, he came to the attention of country singerRonnie Milsap.

Thomas moved to Nashville as Milsap's first staff writer for his publishing company, Ronjoy Music. Shortly thereafter, Thomas signed on withWord Recordsand 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 forBeBeandCeCe 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, a nomination, and fiveDove Awards.In 1989, he collaborated once more with BeBe Winans, this time co-writing Takin' a Chance,a Japan-exclusive single from Whitney Houston's third album, "I'm Your Baby Tonight".

1990s

In 1991, Thomas crossed over into the world of mainstream pop when he partnered with longtime friend and Christian contemporary musicianAmy Grantto collect their first No. 1, Top 40 hit, "Baby Baby."Meanwhile, Thomas focused his music on former Miss America, soon to become global pop star and actress,Vanessa Williams.He produced five tracks on herComfort Zonealbum including the No. 1 hit, "Save the Best for Last".These two No. 1 songs with Grant and Williams earned Thomas Grammy nominations forProducer of the Year,Song of the Year,andRecord of the Year.

Responding to the momentum created by this success, Thomas ownedThe Bennett Houserecording 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 herHouse of Lovealbum. 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 forJames Ingram,Peabo Bryson,Deborah Cox,Regina BelleandWendy Moten.In 1995, Thomas wrote and produced the hit song, "I Could Fall in Love,"forSelena.Selena thus 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, untilCeline 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 Eyesand Williams' follow up album,Next.He also produced records forMichael Bolton,Luther Vandross,Brian McKnight,TamiaandPuff Johnson.

In early 1998, Thomas produced several songs for Williams andJon Secadafor the movie,Dance with Me.He also produced the track, "I Do (Cherish You),"for98 Degrees' multi-platinum album on Universal Records,98° and Rising.The song was also featured in the movie,Notting Hill,that starredJulia RobertsandHugh Grant.In addition, Thomas was nominated for a Grammy for Producer of the Year for the1998 Grammy awards.

In late 1998, Thomas served as the principal producer and co-executive producer for the soundtrackTouched by an Angelfeaturing songs inspired by the popular TV series. On this project, Thomas worked withDeana Carter,Amy Grant,Faith Hill,Uncle SamandWynonna.

Early in 1999, Thomas produced the track "Precious Wings" with actress/singerTatyana Alifor the movieThe Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.During that year he also produced tracks forYolanda Adams,Wild Orchidand Vanessa Williams. Thomas also produced the song "You're Where I Belong",written byDiane WarrenforTrisha Yearwoodfor the movieStuart Little.

2000s

In early 2000, Thomas wrote and produced the hit song, "I Wanna Be with You,"forMandy Moore.The song was featured in the Columbia Pictures film,Center Stage.

In 2009, Thomas produced the Grammy Award-winningHeather Headleyalbum,Audience of One.

2010s

In 2012, Thomas produced the Grammy-nominated band,Forever Jones' album,Musical Revivalreleased 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 ofThe Body Guard,which opened in the UK, November 2012. The Whitney Houston tribute moves from the West End to Broadway in 2014.

Thomas produced the title track and three additional songs forThe VoicefinalistChris Mann's 2012 debut albumRoadson Universal Republic.

In early 2013, Thomas was asked to participate in the reality seriesChasing Nashvilleon Lifetime, which follows seven inspiring artists from West Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina.

External links

• Official website