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Kenna Turner West Releases the Personal and Insightful “I’m Not Who I Was”

Arden, North Carolina (March 26, 2021) — Though she’s best-known as a songwriter with a bookcase full of awards, including eight BMI awards; three Dove Awards; twenty-five “Song of the Year” titles, and a growing list of #1s, insiders and those with long memories have known for years that Kenna Turner West is also a compelling vocalist.  Now, following “Calling All Prodigals,” her debut single as a recording artist for Sonlite Records, she underlines the point by offering deep insight into the transformative message of faith with “I’m Not Who I Was,” a contemplative ballad that reveals both her creative and interpretive powers.    

Written by West with Nathan Woodard and Marcia Henry, “I’m Not Who I Was” takes the listener on a profound journey that traces the path from self-doubt to the assurance of God’s redemption. “I know me, inside out,” the singer/songwriter confesses over spare backing from piano and organ, recounting “all the struggles no one sees,” before a lyric turn that leads into a ringing, affirmative chorus on which she’s joined by Bill Shivers and Mike Rogers of Brian Free & Assurance:

“I know exactly who I am
But God tells me everything I’m not
I’m not forgotten, I’m not forsaken…
I’m not perfect, but I can still raise my hand because
Thank God, I’m not who I was”

From that hushed beginning, “I’m Not Who I Was” builds slowly, yet inevitably, to a bridge that captures its essential message before the joyous affirmation of a final chorus: 

“It’s hard to believe it, ‘cause I know my heart so well
But it’s what He told me, so on days like this I remind myself”


“While ‘I’m Not Who I Was’ is a very personal song, the lyrics are true for every believer in Christ,” West says. “The song reminds us that we are all a work in process, with God transforming us ‘from glory to glory.’ It also reminds us that what we see when we look at our lives is very different from what God sees through the finished work of the cross. I cried the day we wrote it, and I cry nearly every time I sing it!”Listen to “I’m Not Who I Was”HERE.

About Kenna Turner West
Kenna’s roots in the music business run deep. Her father, Ken Turner, sang bass for many years with the Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Her mother-in-law, country music star Dottie West, was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Steeped in a rich musical heritage, Kenna has carved out her own place in the industry over the years. A staff writer for Curb|Word Music Publishing located on Nashville’s historic Music Row, Kenna’s songs have been recorded by artists such as Jason Crabb, Hillary Scott,  The Martins, The Crabb Family, The Isaacs, The Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, The Collingsworth Family, Brian Free & Assurance, Joseph Habedank, Michael English, Finding Favour, Marty Raybon, Karen Peck & New River, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Talleys, Gordon Mote, 11th Hour, Legacy Five, and many more.  

Whether she is writing songs in Nashville or ministering alongside noted Christian leaders at venues ranging from The Pentagon to NASCAR chapels to the local church, Kenna’s life has a singular call: to creatively communicate the Living Hope found in Jesus Christ.

About Crossroads:
Crossroads is a market leader in the Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Americana fields. Established in 1993, following the combination of Horizon Music Group and Sonlite Records, Crossroads now operates several divisions including Crossroads Label Group (Horizon Records, Sonlite Records, Mountain Home Music, Skyland Records, Pisgah Ridge Records, Crossroads Records, and Organic Records), Crossroads Distribution, Crossroads Radio Promotions, and Crossroads Recording Studios. Led by a strong executive team of Christian music and Bluegrass music veterans, Crossroads combines cutting-edge technology with creative innovation to connect fans with our artists’ music.

Absolutely Gospel Music

Formed over 25 years ago by Founders Deon & Susan Unthank originally as SoGospelNews.com. SoGospelNews.com became the most viewed Southern Gospel website on the Internet with over 1 million hits per month. The website is based out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In April 2010, SoGospelNews changed its name to AbsolutelyGospel.com, allowing the site to cover all genres of gospel music. Before the passing of founder Deon Unthank in December 17, 2022, he arranged the sale of the site to a dear family friend, Bev McCann. The site is now run by Bev McCann and the Nashville 37201 media group.
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