PEORIA MAGAZINE December 2022

P L A Y I N G I N P E O R I A

CHRISTIAN MUSIC TAKES LOCAL SINGER-SONGWRITER TO A HIGHER LEVEL

K adee Allen was in Clarksville, Tennessee this year, playing the first set of a planned three hour gig. The crowd seemed to be into her evangelical Christianmusic, some singing along to familiar choruses and thanking her for sharing. Except for a bar manager, whose displeasure ended the show. “It was an honor to get kicked out,” Allen saidwith a smile. “I got to spend an hour and a half in a bar, leading worship.” What could be better? To Allen, 26, who has been leading worship services in Peoria-area churches since her early teens, not much. She recently finished recording three original songs with some of Nashville’s best-known studio musicians. The project is in final production now,

Morton resident Kadee Allen signs with Nashville record label

with an expected December release. The EP could ignite the type of career serious musicians covet – although Allen does not. Fame and fortune are not her goal, though she would be fine with a “big” career. “The point of being a worship leader is to be used as a vessel to lead people into the presence of God,” she said. “That’s my heart’s desire: to see chains broken, lives changed, people healed.” The Allenbaugh family — Kadee shortens it to “Allen” because “it’s easier to say” — moved to central Illinois 20 some years ago. Her father, Chip, is an ordainedminister who works at Dream Center of Peoria. He and his wife, Juli, have three daughters, Cassie, Cortney and Kadee, who’s the youngest.

BY BY KIRK WESSLER PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

“ Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men”

– COLOSSIANS 3:23

68 DECEMBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE