Makky Kaylor

"In it's most honest form, the music God's given Makky Kaylor is southern-soul music. Elements of country and a healthy dose of gospel inevitably flavor it because they are woven within the fabric of his soul....a smooth and soulful voice oozing with honest emotion. You'll be moved by the man and the music."-Performing Songwriter MagazineMak "Makky" Kaylor has been called “The Voice” by many of the music industry’s elite for the sheer quantity and quality of his work and is featured nationally on Radio, Records, Motion Picture Soundtracks and literally hundreds of Commercial Jingles throughout the country including being the voice nationally and regionally for Blue Diamond Almonds, The Grand Ole Opry, Williams Sausage and Asgrow Seed Company. There is sincerity and soul in Kaylor’s original music that sets him apart from other artists.Considered an A-List Session Vocalist in Nashville, Makky is gifted with a highly celebrated smooth, soulful vocal style that has brought him great respect from listeners, legendary figures in the Music Industry and peers alike.Whether it’s receiving a standing ovation at The Ryman Auditorium, fronting the Symphony, belting out a soulful song with his incredible all-star band, playing an intimate writers show at the legendary Bluebird Cafe or praising the Lord through song in a house of worship, you will be moved by the music of Makky Kaylor!Award-Winning Composer *Kaylor has penned over 40 charting songs and is now also writing songs for his own music projects. Artists that have recorded his songs include Larry Gatlin (a Kaylor/Gatlin Duet), Larnelle Harris, John Conlee, Jim Nabors, The Florida Boys, Bruce Carroll, The Ruppes, The Fox Brothers and many more.Makky's unique brand of country, soul and gospel make his original material appealing to various music genres.Sincerity & Soul Southern Soul best describes the music of Makky Kaylor. Being true to the music of his southern soul is more important than the bland commercialism so rampant on the radio today.“Artistic honesty is what I believe my listeners want and I can sleep at night knowing I’ve been honest with them.”Unashamedly combining elements of country, soul and gospel, Kaylor has a special sound all his own. Makky prefers “keeping it real.”“Commercial success comes and goes but career longevity and having a peace about it comes to the writers and artists brave enough to be true to their artistic calling,” Kaylor concludes.Author/Speaker Makky’s book The Confessions of a Session Singer is published and distributed worldwide through Hal Leonard Publishing.Makky’s newest book, The Man With Two Hearts, is his amazing true story of life and near-death (open-heart surgery at age 37 after his heart was diagnosed at a working capacity of 20% and 3 times enlarged, his main valve was replaced with an experimental one) highlighting both the physical and spiritual changes to his heart. Makky encourages the reader to realize the relevance of their own heart’s story to improve their work, their world and their relationships.He speaks on both books' subjects (and sings) at a variety of corporate, Inspirational, music industry and private events.What They're Saying... "I believe in and am cheering for Mak Kaylor. He's a wonderful man with great gifts. He's everything a singer and everything a songwriter ought toal want to be. He's got heart and he's got soul and he wears his heart right out there on his sleeve for everyone to see. Folks, you should be so lucky that Mak Kaylor passes your way."--Larry Gatlin, Grammy Award-Winning Recording Artist“You are my SUPER HERO! You have a wonderful, soulful style that speaks to the heart, that inspires, and that affirms what we all feel. When you’re singing, I want to sing along; and when you stop, I still hear your voice. You have an awesome, soothing and memorable style and I look forward to the opportunity to hear you again . . .--Sheilia Jamison- Event Chairperson, Germantown Chamber of Commerce“If I could sing like Makky, I’d sing myself to sleep every night.”--Randy Goodrum- Songwriters Hall of Fame InducteeFun Facts favorite color: 2 of them (but not together) - dark gold, deep purplefavorite sport: to watch - baseball, to play - tennisone book that has made a lasting impact: walking on water (l'engle)recording artists that have influenced your music: elvis, ray charles, bruce hornsby, michael mcdonald, delbert mcclintonfavorite time of day: ah, twilightfavorite songwriter: i work with too many great ones to give a complete list. a few writer friends who have made an impact on me and my work are tom snow, richard leigh, mike reid, randy goodrum, tom douglas, craig bickhart... to name a few.if you weren't a writer/recording artist what would you be?: bored!eye color: teal. is that really important?favorite thing to do privately: it wouldn't be private if i told you, now, would it? actually, pray.right or left handed? bothif you had to pick, would you write or sing? my truest calling is to writefavorite ice cream flavor: blue belle cherry amarettofavorite movie: film adaptation of les miserable w/liam neesonpet peeves: pet peeves (aka 'a lack of grace')okay, but when you’re 'lacking grace'? ha! not being genuine, arrogance of assumption, oh, and having a "cattle mentality" - going along with the crowd instead of forming your own beliefs and decisionsyou really admire people who: pull themselves up from their bootstrapsyou don't admire people who: allow someone else to "pay their way" through lifeyour favorite teacher was: hands down, pastor scotty smithfavorite subject in school: englishleast favorite subject in school: mathfavorite tv shows: classics - andy griffith, dick van dyke, mashcurrently: i think too much to watch much tvfavorite moment in the last few years: holding my little girl - fresh from heaven - for the first timefavorite career moment: pales in comparison to the last answer, but - receiving a standing ovation at the ryman auditorium after singing a duet with larry gatlin and the gatlin brotherswhat did you want to be when you were a little boy in memphis? "elvis" or a writer.do you consider yourself 'religious'? good question. not at all! my closest relationship is with God but i am not into religion for religion sake - to me, it's all about relationship. when i get to heaven (and i plan to), i don't believe it will matter how 'religious' i was. to me, what will matter is knowing and loving God.favorite bible verse: psalm 73:26favorite biblical character: king daviddo you have lots of friends? lots of acquaintances - only a handful of close friends.what does the future of music look like to you? controlled by the fans and i like that. most people are tired of being force fed what's on the radio chosen by an elite group of commerce minded individuals. people with good taste want music to be about music again, i think.what does the future of your career look like to you? i hope it has me writing more music and books and recording more of my songs. it's really in God's hands, though. i think i've found my niche stylistically. i just hope to do more of it.any words for new writers, artists? be honest in your work. i believe that's what people want to hear - honesty. listeners don't connect with technique or even your voice. they connect with your heart. give it to them.