| Summary: | Gospel musician and singer Willie David Kitchens, Jr. was born on January 6, 1956 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He sang at churches with his sisters and father, a guitarist with the gospel group Five Sons of Calvary, at age seven. At age sixteen, Kitchens joined the Five Sons as a bass guitarist and background vocalist while also performing in his church choir and in the funk band at Howard High School. Upon graduation, Kitchens attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He taught himself to play harmonica, piano and electric keyboards. In 1995, following a successful gospel career, Kitchens became music and performing arts director for Bethlehem Center in Chattanooga where he created a traveling youth choir. From 1999 to 2002, Kitchens performed as lead singer for the Impressions, the gospel-influenced rhythm and blues group that launched Curtis Mayfield's career. He served as gospel service worship leader at Chattanooga's Christ Church.
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