Kirk Franklin (born in Riverside, Texas) is an American Gospel music singer and author. He is most notable known as as the leader of contemporary gospel choirs such as Kirk Franklin & the Family, Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation, God's Property and Kirk Franklin Presents 1NC (One Nation Crew). Biography Early years A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Kirk was raised by his aunt, Gertrude Franklin, after being abandoned by his parents. He developed a talent for music early, playing the piano at age four and becoming music director of his church, Greater Strangers Rest, at age eleven. After leading the DFW Mass Choir at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, he organized "The Family", a seventeen-voice choir, in 1992. Musical career He signed with Sparrow Records in 1993, releasing Kirk Franklin & The Family. It spent almost 2 years on the gospel charts, also charted on the R&B charts (very rare for a