GALA 2006

Born in Moline, Illinois near Chicago, twin brothers Kelvis and Kendall Duffie are the youngest of six children born to the late Maydean Brown. Raised in a single parent home by their church musician mother, they began singing in church at the age of four.

By the time they were 14, their natural talents were garnering attention, both in and out of church. The late Jerry Weaver, former lead guitarist for Aretha Franklin and producer for such names as Janet Jackson (debut album 1982) and New Edition, took a strong interest in them and formed a Gospel group called Meekness.

After years of performing in and around the Gospel circuit, these aspiring young artists had already performed with industry legends Commissioned and Take 6; the group even recorded vocals on Bebe and Cece Winans “Relationships” album, but disbanded in the mid 90’s after minor success.

The knowledge and experience they garnered during this phase allowed them to prepare for bigger and better things. With music as the driving passion, Kendall embarked on a journey to find a creative outlet and headed for London where he lived for nearly two years.

It was there he met producer Ray Hayden who produced the first solo project for Maysa, who introduced him to Incognito front man “Bluey”, who would later contribute to the debut project.

Walking two to three hours each way on the streets of London for short meetings with various record labels, Kendall finally caught the attention of industry veteran Ralph Tee’s label Expansion Records.

“When passion and destiny cross, success is inevitable” states Kendall “there were days I didn’t have enough money to eat and travel on the subway so I would walk everywhere. I was so focused and determined that I didn’t even realize how far I was actually walking everyday”!

It finally all paid off. In 1999 Expansion released the compilation “Soul Stepp’n” which included the duo’s first release entitled “Make You Mine” featuring Kirk Whalum. The song was one of the labels most sought after records in 1999. The momentum and buzz led to a record deal with Expansion and an opportunity for the guys to record a full CD.

Two years later, their debut CD “On Kloud 9” released and took the UK soul fraternity by storm. The album remained on top of the UK soul charts for the majority of 2002.

Currently based in Nashville, Tenn., Kendall and Kelvis both enjoy careers as prominent executives in the Gospel music industry as well as budding stars in the smooth R&B and soul world.

Kelvis “Clyde” Duffie holds the title National Director of Radio Promotions for the number one label in the genre, Verity Records where he promotes some of the industry’s biggest names including Donnie McClurkin and Fred Hammond.

Kendall is head of A&R for Light Records and develops records for all the acts on the label including Shirley Caesar, Rizen and Bishop Paul S. Morton.

Recently the guys launched their own recording studio called The Vibe Room where they’ve just completed recording Kloud 9’s highly anticipated sophomore release ” Yearning To Love”.