Kip Blackshire: While growing up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas Kip started singing at an early age. "My older brothers and I would sing around the house all the time", Blackshire comments. "When I was five years old my Grandmother entered us into a school talent show. While I shied away from being the lead singer, my Grandmother told me that I had no choice. I was going to sing! I didn't argue, so I just went with it." We were the grand prize winners four years in a row. Once I acknowledged the appreciation that people had for my talents, the shyness disappeared. Then being a performer became so much more natural to me. At that moment, I knew I wanted to be a singer. His musical talents spawn from a musical family. "There are four generations of gospel singers in my family, it's in my blood." In 1999 Morris Hayes, Prince's Keyboardist and close friend of Kip's family, invited him to a private Prince jam session with Santana and Larry Graham (from Sly & the Family Sone) at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, MN. "I guess I was pretty sheltered while growing up, I had no idea who Santana or Sly and the Family Stone were. Prince looked at me like I was crazy! I grew up listening to the likes of KC & Jojo". Little did Blackshire know, that this was meant to be and a much higher power will always be working in his favor. While singing to himself in the restroom at Paisley Park, Prince overheard him. Prince was so impressed that he invited Blackshire to sing along in a jam session. Five weeks later he was singing backup for Prince and on tour at sold out arena shows all over. "It was a dream come true", said Blackshire. "Who would of guessed, one day I am in a restroom minding my own business as usual, then the next day I am learning the keyboard parts and back-up vocals for a major national tour...with an Icon...Prince! I thank God everyday for that moment!" The Music: While working with Prince, Kip Blackshire shared the stage with famous musicians like George Clinton, Lenny Kravitz, Macy Gray, Eryka Badu, Chaka Khan, No Doubt (Gwen Stefani), Cheryl Crow, Larry Graham and many, many more. His head-turning vocal riffs converging with R&B soul and rock style makes him shine in any spotlight. "His Band & Point Person's". Blackshire is teaming up with successful musicians such as former NPG Music Director and Keyboardist Morris Hayes, Keyboardist Russ King (Crazy Betty), Guitarist Aaron "Orange" Cosgrove, Guitarist Kyle Wood, Drummer Chad Elliott (Sugar Divaz), and Bassist Serge Akou. Along with the powerful "point" pesonality of Ursula Love and his own personal photographer Asia Brown.