The death of Memphis singer/songwriter and recovery minister John Kilzer was revealed on March 12 by his church, St. John’s United Methodist Church. Kilzer's album Scars, produced by Matt Ross-Spang, represents his latest work, while his 1988 album Memory in The Making shows his beginnings in Memphis. The album's first track, "Green, Yellow And Red," had been recorded the year before by Rosanne Cash on her album King's Record Shop.
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Kilzer's touring and songwriting remained high but his 2000 recovery began a new level of educational achievements and his ministry as an associate pastor.
Scars was just released on Jan. 11, 2019. GRAMMY-winning engineer Ross-Spang produced it for Archer Records and compared working in the studio with Kilzer to the great old days of Stax. "I think it's important to get the band's first impression as a unit, as opposed to individually," he said. "It's where we all go together that's important to the song."
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It was on May 4, 2018 that Rita Coolidge's latest album, Safe In The Arms Of Time, was released. Track four, "Spirit World," was written by Kilzer with his GRAMMY-winning collaborator Stephen Bruton.
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On Feb. 17, less than a month ago, the Rev'd Dr. John Kilzer addressed St. John's United Methodist Church in Memphis, on the 6th Sunday After Epiphany. His life was rich in music and faith.
1968: A Year Of Change For The World, Memphis & Stax Records
