Today we’d like to introduce you to Keagan Denney.
Hi Keagan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s crazy to say, but I started songwriting when I was 13 years old. My brother and I were both pastor’s kids at the time and were heavily involved in church, leading worship, and ministry. We weren’t just inspired by the artists we listened to, but also by the atmosphere and dynamic of our little church in Cadiz, Ohio.
I was obsessed with Matthew West, for KING & COUNTRY, Phil Collins, Michael Bublé, and so many other artists. Being homeschooled gave me the freedom to really discover my abilities as a young musician and songwriter without the pressure of being pushed toward a specific direction or style by other people.
My mom noticed both my brother’s gifting and mine and had us meet with a gentleman by the name of Geron Davis. Geron immediately saw the talent, but he felt we still had some growing to do.
Jonathan, my brother, and I went to work. Our family moved to Nashville, and we started writing like our lives depended on it. We didn’t really notice a major difference in our songwriting abilities until after we spent a weekend with Joel Lindsey and his Songs Matter writing group. That was where the rubber met the road. I had to learn how to write collaboratively with people other than just my brother.
Years later, my brother got married, and I released a solo single called “Penance” in November of 2021. That was when my actual music career really started to take off.
The amount of life I’ve lived since then is insane. I’ve learned so much about what it truly means to write and create for Jesus rather than for myself. At the end of the day, the only person who deserves the glory for anything I’ve accomplished is Christ.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
NOOOOOO… It has been so bumpy! Life comes at you at 1,000 mph, and sometimes you just aren’t ready. I’ve lost loved ones, I’ve been hurt and I’ve hurt others, I’ve fallen and gotten back up, and I’ve experienced victories and defeats on many occasions.
One thing I dealt with was the lie that even God didn’t want to hear the words I would write. For a period of time, I felt intensely alone. I would write and write and write, my songs weren’t getting many streams, and I was also lacking in the friends department. I began to feel like my words didn’t matter, so I would shut down pretty frequently, thinking no one wanted to hear anything I had to say.
That was until the Lord allowed people to randomly walk into my life and speak life back into me. I was able to find my bearings again and began writing with the intention of never allowing the people who listen to my music to feel “unheard.”
Everyone’s life matters. Everyone’s words matter. If I hadn’t walked through that season of my life, I don’t think my understanding of that truth would be what it is today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m in ministry, and my outlet for ministry just so happens to be music! I specifically specialize in psalms and poetry that inspire people to deepen their relationship with God or help them understand Him better.
I’m proud of the message God has given me to share with others: You are loved, and you will always be loved, no matter what. There will always be a path to a more abundant life, and that path is Jesus Christ.
My sound is unique as well. I tend to lean more toward ’80s pop and synthwave!
How do you define success?
People reaching out to me and telling me how my music has impacted or inspired them. I’ve had so many young people message me saying that my music inspired them to dive deeper into the Word, and that just makes my heart so happy.
Success, to me, is people finding Jesus and allowing Him to change their lives.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaegan_music/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaeganmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kaegan_music
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ypFqbZ8uiCUUNPgyIldam
