BIOGRAPHY:
Keith Ayling (Kato) has been a songwriter for a number of years, building up a worldwide following that has experienced the live show where soaring melodies meet energetic musicianship that makes the spirit soar. One reviewer once wrote "life affirming guitar and keith's strong yet vulnerable voice combine to make the venue come alive...I smile, I dance, I love everything, and the world is a brighter place."
Encouraged by his musician-father, and starting out as a drummer, it was youth leaders Tim Blackshaw and Rick Bentham who took Keith to a charity thrift shop to buy a cheap acoustic guitar. Returning to their student house, Tim & Rick taught Keith three chords and they all began leading worship together at their local church.
Keith's transition from drummer to songwriter was complete and has resulted in 14 commercially released albums, 4 US radio no.1s, 4 UK Top Ten radio no.1s, gigs around the world to audiences of up to 12,000 and a pioneering heart to play to the smallest, intimate groups where it simply feels 'right'.
The last few years has seen Keith establish a charity that takes music to young people in hardship around the world. He has spent a month on India's tsunami coast, and regularly tours Eastern Europe working with villages in Slovakia. 2008 will see a flurry of activity as Keith releases a 'Greatest collection'. Invitations to Kosova, Serbia and Sri Lanka have also been offered for 2008, as well as the completion of a long-awaited album of new songs.
REVIEWS
"emotionally charged, beautifully crafted, thoroughly contemporary sound"
(Premier magazine)
"an almighty crash of power pop that is electrifying to the soul"
(NFN British netzine)
"Songs to help you survive is an exceptional album that establishes Keith Ayling as one of the UK's major Christian acts."
(Unity Newspaper, UK)
"This is a milestone in UK Christian music ... one of the brightest artists on the British scene emerges with his best album ever ... sonically stunning. Alongside Delirious this is as good as UK Christian music gets!" (Tony Cummings / Cross Rhythms)
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