Fred “Kyle” Lehning ’71 is recipient of a Merit-Loyalty Award for his accomplishments in the music industry and continued support of Millikin’s music program.
Lehning, an independent record producer, has been producing and engineering records since the ’70s. His first hit as a producer was “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight” by England Dan and John Ford Coley in 1976. Since then, he has worked with many nationally known recording artists, including Ronnie Milsap, Neal McCoy, George Jones, Dan Seals, Anne Murray, Cheryl Wheeler, Bryan White and Randy Travis, Travis calls Lehning his “friend and long-time collaborator.” He was president of Asylum Records from 1992–98. He has received numerous Grammy, Dove, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards. Most recently Randy Travis’ “Glory Train,” produced by Lehning, was awarded the 2006 Gospel Music Association Country Album of the Year. He is considered one of the top producers in the music industry.
Lehning continues his connection with Millikin despite his busy schedule. In 2004, he spoke at the Tabor Business Conference. He visits Millikin biannually to speak with music industry and upper level recording studio classes and he holds regular interviews with classes over speakerphone. Lehning helped Millikin acquire a TASCAM hard disc-recorder for the Millitrax recording studio. Recently, he visited campus to assist in a recording for OneVoice, Millikin’s award-winning vocal jazz ensemble.
Lehning earned a bachelor of arts degree in music from Millikin and was a member of the renowned jazz lab band under the direction of Roger Schueler. He lives in Nashville, Tenn., and has four grown sons: Eric, Jason, Jordan and Ryan. |
