One Step Closer – The Passing of Dana Key
One step closer, closer to the promised land…
Dana Key took that last step to the promised land last night. Right now, his God, his Father, his Savior is filling every promise He made. I don’t know exactly what that looks like, but Dana deserved it.
Dana was part of the legendary Christian rock band Degarmo & Key. He was part of Ardent Records. He signed me, recognizing something I didn’t even see. He is the reason most of you know me. He was the pastor of TLC Church in Memphis. He was a husband and father. And most importantly, he was a believer and proclaimed of Jesus Christ.
Dana was a mentor and role model to me. There’s no way I can capture what I learned here in a hotel typing on my phone. I wish I had recorded it all and could put it in a book for you: Wisdom from one Christian Generation to the Next. But I can’t.
Please be praying for his wife Anita and his children. Please pray for his church family.
Dana was a man of God. Before he was a musician, he was a minister. And before he was a minister, he was God’s child. He will be missed.
Todd
31 Comments
I am so sorry to hear of Dama’s passing. Yet rejoicing with the angels in Heaven. God has another singer in His great choir.
My prayers go out to his family & his extended family ( the band). May you all find comfort in the arms of our Lord.
Be safe in HIS ARMS. May you feel HIS LOVE WRAPPED AROUND YOU!
Well said Todd. Praying for his family, friends, and church.
It is a sad day for his family and friends. So thankful for his legacy – of course, for his part in mentoring you, Todd (and Joy Whitlock), but it extends much further back and much wider than that. May we all remember not to be “casual Christians” and embrace his example of being Christ to the world. RIP, Dana. We can look forward to the day we can all sing together in the Heavenly choir.
I remember he would always follow something that was probably going to make you squirm with “I tell you my friend”. Every Sunday talk really made you think all week about what he had taught you. Dana, you will be missed by all present and past TLC’rs.
I’m thankful for Dana’s ministry too. His music had a great influence on me many decades ago, and I’m very thankful for how God used him at Ardent to encourage and mentor you, Todd. It was a great privilege to visit his church and see God at work in their community outreach and love. What a wonderful legacy of a faithful life!
Words can’t even begin to tell the story of Dana’s influence on me when I was a awkward unsure teenager. To have a Christian man, strong in his faith, unashamed to share it, and cool at the same time…unheard of! As I grew up, he continued to be a model of grace and confidence in Christ that I so greatly appreciated. “there’s no time to waste time this time through…”
[…] a blog post from Todd Agnew. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Dana Key “Part Of The Mystery” […]
Thinking of you today, Todd. When I heard the announcement I thought of you and his impact in your life. He touched so many people.
Wes and I are praying for you and for Dana’s family.
Take care,
Libby
Thank You Todd, for saying such sweet things about my Daddy. We love you.
– Scottie
[…] music artist Todd Agnew made the following statement on his web page regarding the passing of Dana Key: Monday, June 7, […]
[…] wrote on his official website, “Please be praying for his wife Anita and his children. Please pray for his church family. Dana […]
Wow. I am sitting here with DeGarmo & Key’s albums in my arms, including the CD, D&K, from which I played, “Rock Solid” every Saturday night as the opening theme for our Saturday Night All Request Party at WCRM 103.9 Today’s Christian Music, in the Chicago area from 1981-1989.
I cannot contain my tears as I listen to their great music, which inspired at least one, and maybe two or even three generations of young Christians as we tried to walk the talk, especially through Christian radio.
I pray that Dana’s homegoing will touch even more people for the Lord, and will bring us closer to the knowledge that each breath we take is a gift from the Lord. He certainly seemed to live to glorify our Lord in all he did. Thanks, Dana.
Thank you Todd for helping us find out about our Dear beloved Dana. I briefly met you in Asheville during Integrity Music Conference. I was really touched by your ministry. I am from Africa (Congo). I met Dana and the rest of the band during their Visit in Kinshasa. For the little time I spent with them (especially Dana), they really inspired us with their music and passion for the Lord.
Our loss is heaven’s gain. My prayer is for the family and friends..
in Christ,
Paul Tsasa
So sorry to hear the news about Dana. The music of Degarmo and Eddie DeGarmo played a huge role in the beginning of my Christian walk. I never even knew Christian music even existed prior to that! May the simple fact of knowing that every thing he lived for here, he is now seeing it realized there, in the presence of the Father.
Todd, you, his family and friends and fellowship will be in our prayers. Until we see him again,
Rhonda
Thank you, Todd, for your words about Dana’s life and love of our Lord. My husband, Barry, is a church planter with the EFCA and we’ve been planting churches since 1999. During a difficult ministry time in Memphis, Dana prayed with us about moving to Colorado to plant a church in Durango. He has been praying with us for 4 years now. My children and I first met you at at TLC sponsored concert in 2002 or 2003. My daughter who now sings with a a worship team at MCC, was so impressed with you as you took the time to bend down & talk to her and her little brother as they sat on a Razorback blanket in the Memphis heat. Thank you, Dana, for putting Christ first and thank you, Todd, for sharing your gift of worship with others. We will keep Anita and the kids in our prayers!
I am so sorry for his family – so excited for him. Imagine the sights he is beholding – his Master face to face!!! He did not live a lukewarm life – now his eternal reward!
Dana Key was truely a minister first and performer second. Not to take away from his incredible and obvious talents, when you attended one of his concerts it was like going to church. The music of Degarmo & Key ministered to me more than any other Christian music of the early 80’s. Thank you Lord for loaning Him to us and for using him as your vessel to bless so many people. I am praying for his family as no words can heal the pain. May the very same God [that Dana is now praising at the throne] touch his family with comfort and peace.
I’m so very sad. Sad for all of us left behind, missing Dana. I only met him a couple of times (at concerts) but the truth of his lyrics impacted me. His and Eddie’s musicianship reached me.
Over the years, as I’ve heard of Dana’s continued and deepened faith in Jesus Christ, I’ve continued to be encouraged by his Christian walk.
Today, I played “Wayfaring Stranger” and rejoiced that Dana is indeed a part of that “band” washed in the blood of Jesus.
I pray the Holy Spirit will comfort and carry his wife, children, family, congregation and friends. Thank You, God, for saving Dana Key and using him to touch my life and the lives of so many others.
I:am a christian and he will missed very much,
I have the hardest time even stumbling on the righteous path, but the mentioned obituary is also something like how I will like to be remembered. God definetly gives you the gift of expression.
[…] today we learned of the passing of D&K’s Dana Key last night. You can read Todd Agnew’s blog, and listen to some classic D&K music onthe concept video “666.” Also, a cover by […]
Dana Key and Sam Shaw were very instrumental menof God in my life at a very difficult time. It was through their “Love of Christ” that they helped me find my way. I pray for all whose life he touched and for those who will be touched. Blessings.
There’s no way to express how influential Dana and the band were for me as a young believer. Their album “Straight On” still ranks as one of the best ever, and touches my heart even today.
Thank you, Dana. I know Jesus welcomes you with open arms.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
I was shocked to hear of Dana’s passing, I am saddened for those who were close to him, you are all in my prayers. As a Christian DJ many years ago, D&K were played often. I had the chance to meet Dana and Eddie years ago when they did a concert almost 20 years ago at Fredonia State in NY and we got to have dinner (pizza) with them before the show and later after the alter call, it as just a very cool moment in the life of a young new Christian… Many lives have been changed because of your faithfulness…
Todd, my heart is hurting for Dana’s wife, his family, his church, and for you, as Dana has been brought from this season. Yet I am thankful and curious as to what he is now experiencing in the place of Eternity. I am grateful God used him as a tool to touch thousands upon thousands through his music, and your music.
I believe the songs that God gave Dana will continue to spread His love. Though the source is gone the notes remain, and the melodies will still bring life as love in another form lives on.
I KNOW DANA IS IN HEAVEN LOOKING DOWN ON US, I HAD THE PRIVELIDGE OF MEETING HIM AND SEEING HIM PERFORM. I LOVED D&K,
THEIR MUSIC MINISTERED TO ME AND WITH GOD’S HELP GOT ME THROUGH ALL OF LIFES ROLLERCOASTERS. THEY SAY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG AND 56 IS MUCH TOO YOUNG, HE STILL HAD ALOT OF LIVING TO DO BUT, I GUESS GOD NEEDED HIM MORE. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY, AND MY HEART TO EDDIE. I KNOW HE WILL BE MISSED. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. RHONDA M.
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I HAD THE OPPERTUNITY TO GET TO SEE D&K IN 1988. AT CHRISTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL CALLED FISHNET IN FRONT ROYAL, VA. WHERE ALSO MET SOME OF THE BANDS. DEGARMO & KEY WERE ONE OF THE BANDS. DANA KEYS A DOWN TO EARTH MAN. WHO LOVED THE LORD AND LOVED WHAT HE DID. ALSO DURING ONE HIS GUITAR SOLO’S HE LEANED OVER INTO THE FRONT ROW AND GAVE ME A HUGE HUG. THIS COMING FROM A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN. WHAT A TESTOMONY OF GOD’S LOVE. HE IS A HUGE INFLUENCE ON MY WALK WITH CHRIST AND I WILL TRUELY MISS HIM. THANK YOU DANA FOR ALL THE GREAT MUSIC. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THANK YOU GOD FOR GIVE DANA TO US. WE KNOW THAT HE IS WITH YOU AND HERE IS ONE HECK OF A CONCERT GOING IN HEAVEN RIGHT NOW. REST IN PEACE.
Dana’s church (TLC) has provided many with insight into the gentle heart of Dana Key through his sincere and passionate teaching of the Word. I am saddened by his passing and wanted to share these words after listening to “Destined to Win”:
Dana’s Destiny Fulfilled.
Sometimes, the flame of a human life flickers dimly; Occassionally it flashes white hot. Brilliant and temporary, it is then seen no more. Sometimes a life is sadly unnoticed and only serves to burn the eyes with the smoke from its’ passing. But when the fire of life finds Christ as its’ fuel, it grows to be bright and steady, warming all those whose sense the Source. It can not be extinguished by trials, or sickness or even death. Such a Light could be seen in the life of Dana Key. Even though he is no longer with us, his light shines even still.
[…] June 6, 2010, Dana Key died suddenly. He was a founding member of the Jesus music duo Degarmo & Key, along with friend Eddie […]
I had the privilege of meeting Dana & Eddie just once. They were doing a ‘radio only’ tour in the early 90’s. They came to the station I worked at in Spokane, WA, KTSL. They set up in our studio and played about an hour’s worth of music with a short interview. I remember them to be class acts and friendly gentlemen. I also remember that when we spoke with them off-air, you could tell they MEANT what they said about Jesus.
I want to be sad about Dana’s passing, but I find that I’m not. After all, he is in the BEST place you could EVER want to be, in the company of Jesus Himself. How can you really be sad about that?
Thank you, Dana, for the music, and thank You, Lord Jesus, for being his Inspiration.
Dana Key profoundly impacted my early life as a Christian. I know I have never been the same. The news of his passing saddens me when I consider those he is leaving behind. We know he has entered his father’s house and is rejoicing at the throne.
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