It’s not uncommon for Kelontae Gavin to season his conversations with happy humming and bursts of music. That’s because there’s always a song in his head and soul in his step.
His enthusiastic energy is what has helped propel him front and center into the Gospel music scene—this year nominated in four different categories at the Stellar Awards, airing next month on the BET Network.
“It’s like the Grammys of Gospel (music),” Gavin said.
Just 19, the Summerville High graduate learned in January he had been selected in the categories of Male Vocalist, Contemporary Male Vocalist, Contemporary CD of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year. Gavin said a majority of the nominations are the result of nearly-overnight success from his freshman album, “The Higher Experience,” which debuted last April.
“I was so excited about that. I was so honored,” Gavin said.
Though it won’t be Gavin’s first time attending the Stellar Awards—he was nominated last year in the Youth Project of the Year category—it will be his inaugural year as one of the show’s featured performers. Gavin is slated to take the stage to belt out his latest hit single “No Ordinary Worship,” a tune he said has “been blessing and hitting the charts” for at least three months.
Though currently attending Bold Ministries International in Moncks Corner, Gavin earlier this month sat inside the church sanctuary—Favor Ministries in Ridgeville—where he grew up in Berkeley County’s Pringletown. During a brief moment of pause and reflection, he thought back on his childhood memories of the Stellar Awards, remembering watching the show as an admiring 11-year-old fan.
“I went from watching the Stellars to being on it,” Gavin said—eyes wide with disbelief.
“I’m actually on the big stage with Gospel artists that I looked up to—legends who have come before me; and to be on the stage, to not just perform but being able to minister, is powerful in itself.”
Gavin will also never forget feeling “blown away” the first time he started hearing his voice blast through the speakers of his car radio—the dial tuned in to Charleston’s Gospel music station 106.3 FM.
“Like, ‘That’s me?—ah, look at the country boy; he’s made it from Pringletown to Uptown,’” Gavin said.
However, in a few short weeks the teen will be uprooting himself from his small, Southern hometown and heading to Atlanta, where he’s accepted a worship leader position at House of Hope Church—a 7,000-member congregation. Though slightly nervous, he said he’s excited to commence the next chapter of his life.
“It’s going to be fun,” Gavin said.
While music is a vital part of the singer/songwriter’s life, it’s always been his main vehicle of Christian ministry, the area he explained he’s most committed to—his inner passion the strongest for teaching, preaching and sharing his faith with others.
“Yes, it is artistry for me, but my focus has always been ministry,” Gavin said. “I’ve always known I’ll put my ministry before (the music) industry. …My personal conviction will always be to make sure that anything I do will glorify my Father.”
It’s the book of Psalm in the Bible that Gavin said most inspires him to write music.
“The poet David—he was awesome,” he said. “Every psalm is a song, so most of his psalms talk about his life experience, how he was feeling; so most of the time…I just write what I’m feeling or how I’m feeling. People’s lives are transformed…straight from the pen to the heart.”
In addition to touring and singing, Gavin spends much of his time sharing the Gospel message and motivating youth around the country. He said it was the role of Pringletown’s “seasoned saints”—the matriarchs and patriarchs of his childhood—who taught him the humility and respect that keeps him grounded.
“(They) kept me rooted…in knowing who I was and whose I was…knowing how to treat people and talk to people,” Gavin said.
With a professional music career that commenced at age 16, Gavin is now three years into the industry, settling in and making his mark. But he’s eager to continue his impact, with new music in the works and an upcoming gig starting next month, when he said he scheduled to start touring with Jonathan McReynolds on the fellow Gospel musician’s “Make Room Tour.”
Understanding he’s been given a rare opportunity to do what he loves—and at such a young age—Gavin cherishes each moment of his unique life.
“Knowing that I’m replaceable, that anybody else in the world cold have my spot…but to know that (God) finds me qualified to fit the position is honorable in itself,” he said.
The Stellar Awards will air at 7 p.m. April 21 on BET.
