From Bruce Knight of Push-It News:
Memphis, TN – July 3, 2013
It is with a great sadness to report that Kevin “DJ Soni D” Allen, Sr. was involved in an automobile accident that took his life on Monday, July 1, 2013 in Hinkley, California. He is survived by his 4 children, 2 ex-wives, mother, and a host of other family members. Funeral arrangements are pending.
He was the creator of the “Gospel Reflections” radio program that was first hosted by Lonnie Hunter. In 2009, Soni D became the host and producer of the popular program, “Gospel Reflections,” a 2-hour syndicated Gospel Music program featuring Gospel’s greatest artists and their music from yesterday, today and tomorrow. The show is broadcast weekly in over 15 markets reaching over 2 million African-American households.
Soni D is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Moreover, he celebrates a compelling spiritual background and a magnificent heritage in the church. Since childhood he was spiritually nurtured and developed at the very prominent Roberts Temple C.O.G.I.C. church of which he remains a member.
His educational background exemplifies his passion for the Lord and his commitment to excellence. He graduated Proviso from East High School in 1981. He continued his educational pursuits at Kennedy-King College in l982. During his matriculation he became the first “Gospel DJ” on the college’s radio station WKKC. In 1983, he attended Columbia College in Chicago.
Soni D’s list of accomplishments is quite impressive and clarifies his labor-intensive and inexhaustible talents. Not only is he a prolific percussionist, he is also a skillful producer who stands on the edge of a creative epiphany. His very first job as a Gospel DJ was for Gospel Skating Night at Chicago’s Skate City Roller Rink in 1978.
He is the Executive Director of Development and Content for Jesus Music Productions. The company offers masterfully orchestrated family and religious based programming for TV and radio.
A quick glance at his repertoire highlights his incomparable and diverse skills. He formed the very first turntable mixshow in Memphis, TN, “The Budweiser Club No-Name Saturday Night Dance Party,” aired on the KRNB Magic 101 FM. Then “Soni D’s House Express” which featured Chicago-styled House Music on WHRK, K-97 and in 1990 Soni D exploded on the turntables on various radio stations including WGCI Chicago, K 104 Dallas, Kiss 104 Atlanta and Power 99 Philadelphia. Then as the Production Manager for Cutler Productions/Premiere Radio networks. He magnificently created with Cutler Productions the world’s first syndicated mix show “Mix America” which aired in 40 markets nationwide.
He holds national syndication recognition for the following: Production manager and producer/engineer for the “Tom Joyner’s On The Move” nationally syndicated countdown show for which he was a 3-time “Billboard Magazine” Award winner. He created GT30″Gospel’s Top 30 Countdown”with Ken Carthern and Al “The Bishop” Hobbs.” He produced “The Countdown” with Walt “Baby” Love. He also worked with Lee Bailey to create “Laugh Zone” and as co-producer for syndicated “Gospel News Now.” Other significant contributions to the gospel media industry include relocating to Atlanta, Georgia for On Mic Productions/American Urban Radio Networks to produce “The Bobby Jones Gospel Countdown,” “Soni D’s Ol School Mix,” “Soulful Praise” with Donnie McClurkin and “On Da Down Lo” with talk show host Wendy Williams.
Other notable mentions of his revolutionary career include Production Director for “Radio One’s” Philadelphia Cluster. In this unparalleled age of hi-tech, Soni D created “Text-A-Mercial” TM, radio and TV commercials created as SMS Text messages sent to cell phones. As you can see, he displays vast ingenuity and sheer vitality that is uniquely Soni D. Most of all, his talents are innovative and his exceptionality is his uncompromising commitment to God.
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Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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(CHIEF ROCKER ) SONI D was the nickname I often used over the many years that we were together in the studio working on radio or voice over for a tv commercials or at the club going on stage to do shows together or separately! I’m “RAY THE J” AND he was much more than the best mixmaster globally of all times on stage or the best producer of the hundreds of radio and tv commercials we did from Memphis as far away as London! HE WAS MY BEST PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL BEST FRIEND OF ALL TIMES!