Milbert E.S. McKenzie (born April 29, 1949), who goes by the stage name Doc McKenzie, is an American gospel musician. He started his music career in 1990, and released six albums, which were released by Atlanta International Records, Savoy Records, and Meltone Records. Milbert released three albums of note, Ride with Jesus in 1996 with First Lite Records, 1998's Live, also with First Lite, and 2009's Renewed with Ophir Records, all of which charted on the Billboard magazine charts, exclusively on the Gospel Albums chart.
Doc McKenzie | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Milbert E.S. McKenzie |
| Also known as | Doc McKenzie |
| Born | April 29, 1949 Olanta, South Carolina |
| Origin | Lake City, South Carolina |
| Genres | CCM, gospel, traditional black gospel, urban contemporary gospel, Christian country music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Atlanta International, Savoy, Meltone, First Lite, MCG, New Haven, Ophir |
| Website | docmckenzieandthehilites |
Early life
editMilbert was born on April 29, 1949, in Olanta, South Carolina,[1][2] the son of Leroy and Cora McKenzie, who were farmers.[1][2] The family attended St. Mark's Holiness Church in Lake City, South Carolina.[1][2] His pastor at the time, Bishop, R. C. Eaddy, gave him his moniker "Doc" because he could fix anything.[1][2] He started leading his church choir at the age of six. The Hi-Lites were started by his sister Beronzy McKenzie, and his cousin Handy McFadden, and they relocated to Paterson, New Jersey, for a time during the 1960s and 1970s, moving back home in the mid-1980s to begin their musical recording careers.[1][2]
Music career
editMilbert began his recording career in 1990, with the release of six albums by three labels, Atlanta International Records, Savoy Records, and Meltone Records.[3] He released Ride with Jesus on October 22, 1996, with First Lite Records,[3] and this was the breakthrough release on the Billboard magazine Gospel Albums chart at No. 28.[4] The musician release, Live, on September 15, 1998, by First Lite Records,[3] and this charted on the aforementioned chart at No. 21.[4] His next album to chart, Renewed, was released by Ophir Records on September 1, 2009,[3] and this placed at No. 14 on the Gospel Albums chart.[4]
Discography
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions[4] |
|---|---|---|
| US Gos | ||
| Ride with Jesus |
|
28 |
| Live |
|
21 |
| Renewed |
|
14 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Carpenter, Bil (2005). Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 289. ISBN 9780879308414.
- ^ a b c d e "2003–2004 Bill 1203: Doc McKenzie". South Carolina State Legislature. April 28, 2004. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Doc McKenzie : Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Billboard. "Doc McKenzie : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2015.