


Inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame - November 30, 2002
Vital statistics: 5' 10", Brown Hair, Hazel Eyes, 175 lbs.
4 Octave Range
Toured United States as leader singer with Everyday People and Family
Affair performing concerts, Oldie - Goldie Shows, television, corporate
venues, state fairs, etc.
Large repertoire, good stage presence
Up tempo Rock Classics, Rhythm & Blues to power ballads
Recorded "A Million Teardrops" backed by Wayne Cochran's band while
still in high school in Georgia. Recorded on independent label Confederate
Recording Company under stage name Ken Kennington.
Record collectors are selling as a collector's item at record conventions and
websites for $200 per copy.
Also listed on compilation with Wayne Cochran and Otis Redding in Europe
with the Bear Family, an International Collector's Recording Company.
Performed locally at various resort: The Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney
World, Disney's Contemporary Resort, the River Country at Walt Disney World,
Arthur's 21 at the Palace Hotel (now Wyndham), the Hyatt, Bay Hill Country
Club, Alaqua, Heathrow, Erroll Estates and many other major hotels in the area.
Leon Kennington
a.k.a. Ken Kennington
Leon was born into a very musical family in Griffin, Georgia and later, raised in Macon,
Georgia. He started singing gospel music solos at the tender age of four in local churches.
Soon he was on the radio and by the time he was eight he was in a live television talent
show out of Atlant, the Freddy Miller's "Stars of Tomorrow" which he won the first
place prize. This led to frequent quest performances on the show.
A guy by the name of Bob Cox was working for Feddy Miller as a singer on WAGA-TV,
Bob later sarted his own talent show in Macon called "Bids for Broadway". The
first prize was a trip to Hollywood, CA with a screen test and he felt Leon had such a
mature voice for a child his age, 10 years old. He stood a good chance as a child prodigy
in music and in movies. Leon won that first prize trip to Hollywood however, due to
certain circumstances, was unable to go.
A true lifetime performer, at the age of thirteen, Leon was professionally playing in local
nightclubs with adult bands and sill making frequent television appearances. During his
teenage years, he had the opportunity to meet and work as well as travel with Wayne Cochran
and Otis Redding playing various venues along the way, including the Martin Thompson Theater
chain. During this time, he met Jerry Lee Lewis and became personal friends with Charlie Rich.
Charlie was a great inspiration to Leon and he always held him in high regard.
Leon has opened for such artists as Crystal Gayle, Buddy Fo from Hawaii formerly of the
Don Ho show and the Diamonds, which are remembered fro such hits as "Little Darlin" and
"Strollin".
Then at the age of seventeen, Leon recorded a 45 under the stage name of "Ken Kennington"
under the Confederate Record Label. The A side, "A Million Teardrops", sold
well here in the U.S., and the B side, "It Goes Without Saying" became popular years
later, a true Rockabilly hit, in Europe. Currently this 45 sells for over $200 a piece
here in the States. This record is now being used on a compilation with Wayne Cochran and
Otis Redding.
Over the years, Leon has continued singing and traveling in different states. He now
concentrates on corporate venues and convention work. He has performed at various
Disney Resorts such as the Polynesian, Contemporary and the River Country Resort. He
has worked convention shows at other resorts and country clubs as well as performed at Church
Street Station in the Cheyenne Saloon, which is where the Nashville Network recorded shows
with major country stars in the 80's.
He now resides in Ocoee, Florida with his wife, daughter and three beautiful
grandchildren. Currently, he is working with a songwriter out of Nashville and hopes to
release a CD of original work soon. Aside from music, Leon is interested in working in
movies as well as commercials and voice-overs.
In November of 2002, Leon Kennington was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of
Fame for his lifetime contribution to a life he lives for ... Music.
Page posted April, 2004

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