Milbert E.S. McKenzie (born April 29, 1949), who goes by the stage name Doc McKenzie, is an American
gospel music
Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...
ian. He started his music career in 1990, and released six albums, which were released by Atlanta International Records, Savoy Records, and Meltone Records. Milbert released three albums of note, ''Ride with Jesus'' in 1996 with First Lite Records, 1998's ''Live'', also with First Lite, and 2009's ''Renewed'' with Ophir Records, all of which charted on the ''Billboard'' magazine charts, exclusively on the Gospel Albums chart.
Early life
Milbert was born on April 29, 1949, in
Olanta, South Carolina
Olanta is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 563 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, down from 613 in 2000. It is part of the Florence, South Carolina, Florence F ...
, the son of Leroy and Cora McKenzie, who were farmers. The family attended St. Mark's Holiness Church in
Lake City, South Carolina
Lake City is a city in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,675 at the 2010 census. Located in central South Carolina, it is south of Florence and included as part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Hist ...
. His pastor at the time, Bishop, R. C. Eaddy, gave him his moniker "Doc" because he could fix anything. He started leading his church choir at the age of six. The Hi-Lites were started by his sister Beronzy McKenzie, and his cousin Handy McFadden, and they relocated to
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson ( ) is the largest City (New Jersey), city in and the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
Music career
Milbert began his recording career in 1990, with the release of six albums by three labels, Atlanta International Records, Savoy Records, and Meltone Records. He released ''Ride with Jesus'' on October 22, 1996, with First Lite Records, and this was the breakthrough release on the ''Billboard'' magazineGospel Albums chart at No. 28. The musician release, ''Live'', on September 15, 1998, by First Lite Records, and this charted on the aforementioned chart at No. 21. His next album to chart, ''Renewed'', was released by Ophir Records on September 1, 2009, and this placed at No. 14 on the Gospel Albums chart.