Kloud 9 WAGTi Radio

Twin brothers Kelvis and Kendall Duffie formed Kloud 9 in the tradition of such artists as The Isley Brothers, The Whispers and Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly, all of whom the group would go on to appear with on tour. Growing up in a single-parent home in Denver, CO where their mother was a church musician, Kendall and Kelvis started singing in church at an early age. By the age of fourteen they captured the attention of producer Jerry Weaver (former guitarist with Aretha Franklin and producer of Janet Jackson's debut album). With Weaver, Kendall and Kelvis laid the foundation for a music career and began learning the ins and outs of the music business. Weaver formed a gospel group called Meekness which included the Duffies but the group experienced only minor success.

When Meekness disbanded, the Duffie twins headed for Nashville to try to further themselves in the music industry. Their experiences there propelled them into careers as record executives with major gospel labels.

However their thirst to perform and record never left them and so they decided to form a vocal duo. The name Kloud 9 was derived out the concept of wanting people to experience a mood of ultimate pleasure when listening to their music. The spelling of Kloud with a "K" was a nod to the fact that both their names began with that letter. After shopping their music and being constantly told they should push their music in a more edgy and raunchy style, Kendall decided to look abroad for audiences who appreciated quality soul music.

"I remember driving to work one day and pulling over at a grocery store parking lot and literally breaking down in tears," states Kendall. I felt so empty and unhappy and I knew I had to do music and do it at a level that

would satisfy the desire in my soul. I called my job and resigned on the spot, bought a one-way ticket to London where I knew music had a different appreciation, knowing that being an American would open doors for me over there. I told my family that I would not return until I found an outlet to release my music. I realized I didn't have enough money to travel on public transportation every day so I bought a map of London, got numbers and addresses to all the indie and major labels in London and my game plan everyday for the first few months I was there was walking 4 - 5 hours each way for 20-30 minutes meetings. At one point I recall feeling rocks on my foot and looked under my shoe and saw I had literally walked a hole in my shoes!"

During my time in London I met a producer named Ray Hayden who produced Maysa's first album. He allowed me to work in his studio to help him with production on various projects. I remember leaving his studio one morning around 3AM with not a penny in my pocket and knowing I had several hours to walk back to where I was staying but I was finally feeling happy again. I was creating music. It was through Ray that I eventually met Maysa and through Maysa that I met Incognito leader Bluey. Shortly thereafter we got a call from Expansion Records in the UK to do an album."

Koud 9's debut CD ON KLOUD 9 was released in 2002 in the UK and was critically acclaimed. The album topped the UK Sweet Rhythms Soul Chart for three weeks and spent twelve weeks on Finland's Soul charts. Kloud 9's other UK releases include 2005's YEARNING TO LOVE YOU and KLOUD 9 PRESENTS THE VIBE ROOM, a compilation of Kendall's productions, both of which reached #1 on the UK soul music charts.

ENJOY THE RIDE is truly Kloud 9's coming out event in America. The duo has been building a following in America as an opening act for The Isley Brothers, The Whispers, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and of course Maysa. They recently won a Soultracks award for "Best duo/group" and have been making an impression on their peers and mentors in the business. As R & B legend Walter Scott of the Whispers says, "These are some super talented brothers, no question about it. The world is gonna hear from th(continued)