Media

Getting inside the music of "I Will Still Be Me" by Ken Stacey is likened to a journey to the center of the Earth, radically different yet refreshingly welcoming, as a traveler to a foreign land comes across a landmark that has beckoned for years. This songwriter reminded us of greats like Jeff Buckley, Harry Nilsson and even the Beatles, thought-provoking and versatile lyrically, along with a masterful use of modern beats, funky throw-backs, and synthesized vocals. We especially enjoyed "Only Love", which combines all of the aforementioned elements of genius songwriting, production, and performance. Way far out front vocals and bitter raw emotion drive us to pick our favorite, "Shine", for it's hip lyrical makeup. -

Anita Mann Productions Review
Grand Opening of Americana @ Brand in Glendale, May 2nd, 2008

“We had the privilege of working with Ken on May 2nd, 2008 for Developer Rick Caruso’s private rooftop party dubbed the “Supper Club in the Sky” for the Grand Opening of Americana @ Brand in Glendale, CA. Ken performed an original song written by James Dunn and Amanda McBroom called “America”, while backed by the Glendale HS choir (and an All-Star Orchestra). Jay Leno emceed the evening’s event and governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke to all the guests. The other performers of the evening included The Temptations and The Four Tops performing a set together, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, the dancers from Dancing with the Stars and the USC Marching Band…The patriotic production of “America” was very moving!...Ken’s performance was one of the highlights of the evening! Ken commands the stage with such professionalism and confidence. He truly felt every word he was singing and it translated to everyone in the audience, allowing them to experience every emotion along with him… there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as it made you proud to be an American. I would add that Ken is a complete joy to work with! He is very professional, passionate, down to earth, and humble. He brings such a positive attitude with him at all times and he truly loves to perform. One of the most common comments I heard from the guests was how beautiful and patriotic the song was, plus the fact that Ken really sang his heart out, was so genuine and portrayed such spirit. He certainly added a wonderful touch to an amazing “Americana” finale. I would absolutely work with Ken again, without hesitation!”

Anita Mann/Anita Mann Productions (Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Honoree as one of America’s top five contemporary choreographers, two time Emmy Award winner and 4 decades of dance choreography from Elvis Presley to award winning TV shows)

Very special music...It’s interesting to realize that you can’t spontaneously and arbitrarily pigeonhole Stacey’s music, and, that’s the point of it, that the music and its production urge you to have a deeper look. Stacey, once a background singer for Elton John, has debuted with this splendid album. In an extensive sense, this is pop music with a real chance of reaching top chart positions. But not because the music is sketchy or overly simple, but rather because you can feel the spirit of long gone days, of times when more value was put on good compositions and arrangements. Therefore, it is not surprising that with a first listen the music of the Beatles come to my mind! Not that Ken sounds like the Beatles. Rather, his music only reminds me of the wonderful compositions McCartney once submitted, tracks full of small fine ideas. And Stacey sings the tracks, all original compositions, with a very harmonious, soft and very pleasant voice. The entire CD is a varied mixture of songs, with the first track, “So Damn Beautiful" my favourite. It is very impressive, with gentle appeal and a very intelligent arrangement, which seem to creep into your ears – absolutely fantastic! The second track, " Only Love”, had been selected for the “American Idol Song Writing Competition” in the United States as a Top 20 finalist from among thousands of entries. “Only Love” is a genuine pop-tune designed for the charts; and I would love to see Ken find success with it! "I Will Still Be Me", a further high point of the record, benefits from beautifully complex vocal harmonies. It is a joy to dig deeply into this song, a true enjoyment for the ears! I think this song is the most reminiscent of the Beatles. “Rain” recalls music from bands like Crowded House, music I really love…very impressive and deeply emotional.

Conclusion: Marvellously arranged filigree pop music with slightly “singer/songwriter” parts, with fine compositional nuances, like a brisk interspersed piano, and subtle and appropriate use of strings arrangements and background harmony/choir, or at times an accordion; all is well conceived at a very high musical level.

With good promotion Ken Stacey could easily achieve a high level of popularity!

After the sudden death of Michael Jackson, I received an outpouring of love and support from family and friends. As most of you know, I was rehearsing tirelessly with Michael as one of his background singers for the upcoming London 02 Arena shows. Before I even had the time to process his untimely death, the entire Michael Jackson touring band was called upon to rehearse and perform at Michael’s memorial at the Staples Center.

I’ve had little time to reach out to all of you and give a statement on this whole ordeal but a fellow singer/songwriter, Dan Reed, wrote a beautiful statement on Michael’s death and with his kind permission I am reposting here. Again, thank you for all your support during these past few months.

Peace,
Ken Stacey

Repost from Dan Reed

'La Vie En Rose' and Michael Jackson

One week before the news of Michael Jackson's death came, I had just watched a movie called 'La Vie En Rose' (roughly translated as 'Life is Bliss'), a film that displays the life and death of Edith Piaf, a magnificently gifted French vocalist who struggled all through her life, from childhood to her lonely, painful and slow death on a small farm in the countryside of France. After watching the film I was almost in tears realizing how much joy this 'song bird' gave to the world and yet the world did not take care of her the way her talent and voice had taken care of the world's spirit. Hearing a week later that Michael Jackson had died, perhaps not as 'alone' as Edith yet still alone, was deafening. One could argue that Michael was indeed alone in his solitude amongst the myriad of people all trying to make a living off of him and in the end this attributed to his demise, for where were his friends and family when he needed comfort, and support for his pain, both physical and mental? Perhaps they were there, but Michael could not hear them.

Like Edith, Michael was and still is the worlds 'songbird'. In his interviews, lyrics, melodies and his dance, he always reached for something higher that exists within ourselves. He tried to point humanity in a compassionate direction, despite what people believed of the controversy that surrounded his later years.

His father Joseph Jackson, appearing to show no remorse or sense of loss whatsoever since his son's death is a testament to the truth that Michael told in his interviews over a decade ago where he described his desolate childhood, and the sickness that followed him his whole life whenever his father was near. Maybe Michael would not have been so innovative and driven had his father not been such a tyrant within the family atmosphere, but Michael turned his pain into a art, into hope, into more pain in his life... and through that process he touched the heart of the entire world.

I imagine more people in the world have been touched by Michael Jackson's art than have been touched by Jesus, or Mohammed, or the Torah. Michael touched everyone with his music and one need to look no further than the song "Man In The Mirror", to understand what and who Michael Jackson was, or at the very least who he longed to be and how he wished the world to be.

We put our song birds in a cage, we ask them to sing, we show them off and parade them around, give them awards, and then we feed them with fan mail, cynicism, critiques, condescending headlines, and when they die of starvation of the soul... like Edit Piaf and Michael, the world sits back in shock and marvel at how much of an empty space they left behind, when all the while we could have fed them with friendship, listened to their pain and help lift them instead of trying to bring them down, and possibly allowed them to flourish outside of the cage, instead of crumble within.

I was not alive during Edith's era, but was touched by her story. Michael Jackson on the other hand was a part of my life since childhood. I was 9 years old singing the song 'Ben' having no idea what or who the song was about. I can't tell you how many times me and my friends have tried to moonwalk, or how we were moved by the lyrics, melodies, the dance moves, but most importantly the 'voice'! He sang from his heart it always appeared... even when reduced to tears in 'She's Out Of My Life', some would laugh and snicker at him breaking in to tears on the recording when he was alive... perhaps now it is us who will cry when listening to this song.

Michael Jackson was not the only voice out there, but he was the world's voice... in the music world, the spiritual world, and in the political world as well, through many decades and generations... for it is obvious now after his death he has united people from every country, from every religion and every background... this cannot be said of politicians or religious leaders, the United Nations... no one but Mr. Jackson has done this.

In the generations to come many will not believe that a gifted soul like this had ever existed in reality, for the world will never see one such as him again. I wish the media and us, the lover's of his art, would have let him know this before his passing. Yes, he sold out 50 shows in London in 3 hours, and this indeed is a form of love and appreciation... but did we hear his lyrics and the intention of his most insightful songs? And if we did, did we heed their call?

Michael was a messenger and like all the messengers before him, their 'message' was clear, and for our gratitude we often persecute them. Joan of Arc, JFK, Gandhi, MLK, Jesus... all were saying the same thing and were extinguished because of it. Michael used different tools then the aforementioned, he sang and he danced, he spoke of how selfish and silly the world is in interviews, he used the tools of modern man and media to try and affect change, even while contorting himself to escape his own self, his past.

Maybe some day the world will listen to this 'message' that is brought to us over and over again through different souls, different faces and different methods... and then we can possibly share the burden that people like Michael Jackson seem to feel the need to carry on their own and get crushed beneath it's weight.

Thank you for the music, Mr. Michael Jackson... and for having the courage to perform like a lion and yet speak as a child. May you have a safe journey home.

Ken Stacey, Judith Hill and the rest of the Michael Jackson touring band will be performing, "Man in the Mirror", in honor of Michael Jackson this Wednesday night (November 11th) on the "Lopez Tonight" show, channel TBS. Check your local listings for time...

For more information: