Bonnie Keen began her career as a studio session singer in Nashville, TN. She worked with artists including
Amy Grant,
Michael W. Smith,
Rich Mullins,
Steve Winwood, and
Barry Manilow. From her years as a session vocalist, the trio
First Call was born.
Keen and fellow founding members
Marty McCall and
Mel Tunney, who was later replaced by
Marabeth Jordan, released 12 albums and received five Grammy nominations and 11 Dove Award nominations, taking home three Dove Awards. Jordan left the group in 1994, reducing the trio to a pair.
In her personal life,
Keen faced a divorce, a battle with depression, and the challenges of being a single parent. However, she says that God taught her valuable lessons through the pain.
Keen released her first solo album,
Marked for Life, in 1999. In addition, her first book, Blessed Are the Desperate for They Will Find Peace: Hope in the Midst of Broken Dreams, was published in 2000. ~ Ashleigh Kittle