Daniel Kirkley was raised to be a perfect southern gentleman with a love of Carolina BBQ and good sweet tea. Born to Richard and Libby Kirkley on January 13, 1979, Daniel spent the first 21 years of his life calling Lancaster, South Carolina home. Daniel also claims his little brother Dustin, and sister-in-law, Erin.

Music was obviously in his blood. By the time he was six, he was singing at church, but as he grew older he found a love for science and medicine. When college came around, he chose a double major at the University in South Carolina in Pre-Med and Classical Voice. He was awarded a music scholarship, but his intention was to become a pediatrician.

Daniel says that at first music was not even on the forefront of his mind, but really just a “means to an end.” So as you can imagine, it was quite a shock when he told his parents one day that God had showed him a different path in music, and that his new plan was to give up his scholarship, give up medicine completely and move west to Belmont University, leaving the Eastern Time Zone for the first time in his life. To say Daniel has a passion would be an understatement, he has a calling, and faith would take him on a new adventure in music.

Daniel said that there were a few “irrational” conversations that followed his first announcement, but some months later Daniel still hadn’t given up the idea. His Dad and Mom took a legal pad and wrote down a list of all the reasons he shouldn’t go to Belmont. They then sat down with him with the legal pad in front of them and asked him to name the top three reasons why he thought he should. His first reason was, “I legitimately feel that this is where God is leading me.” That was all they needed to hear. His Dad told him that they would do whatever they had to do and his Mom responded with loving tears. So in those few minutes pediatrics was put aside completely, and a new journey began.

A lot happened in the next few years. Daniel learned to write music and others finally realized that he needed to be the one singing in the spotlight! He released an independent album in 2003; a couple years later, he signed on with Centricity Records.

Later he released his album “Let Love Win” featuring his first single, “My New Dawn,” an inspiring song about a new beginning. The music video gave a great picture of the weight of the world and our own flesh, and our freedom in the light of Christ! I can’t help but get excited at the end when Daniel pushes open that huge door and the light shines in! What a picture of the freedom found in Christ!

It’s hard to believe that only ten years ago, the winsome singer Daniel Kirkley was planning to be a pediatrician. At the same time, it’s amazing to see how God pulled it all together and where faith has taken Daniel.

But he isn’t done yet. Now he is working on a new album, details at DanielKirkley.com. I can already tell that this one will be even better than the first!! How is that possible? I don’t know, but just listen to his Jukebox and you’ll see what I mean! You can also get his EP “As Tomorrow Comes” and his new single “Crying Out To You” on iTunes.