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Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961 in Houston, Texas) is an American singer, with 4 Grammy Awards. She is one of the most popular gospel music artists of the contemporary period. Along with Kirk Franklin, Adams is among the artists who have achieved the greatest critical and commercial success in blending R&B styles and gospel music, an achievement which, while it initially caused criticism among the conservative Christian church, later helped gospel gain airplay in secular venues.
BiographyRaised as the oldest of six siblings in Houston, Texas, Adams grew up in a household where she was exposed to musical influences ranging from classical to gospel to Motown. She sang throughout her teen years and continued performing on weekends. Adams graduated from Sterling High School in Houston in 1979.[1]
Early CareerAs a lead singer in the Southeast Inspirational Choir (including a powerful, enthusiastic turn as the lead on "My Liberty," - written by the late Carl Preacher - among others) she attracted the attention of Thomas Whitfield and Sound of Gospel Records. Sound of Gospel, signed her to a recording contract which yielded her debut album Just As I Am in 1988.[3] Her strong, soulful voice and striking, statuesque beauty scored quickly with Gospel audiences, and the debut hit the Gospel top 10. She later signed to Ben Tankard's independent label Tribute Records in 1990 and began a string of top 10 Gospel albums that made her a staple on Gospel radio and awards shows. Mountain High...Valley Low FameA decade after her arrival, Adams received her first significant attention outside the Gospel realm with her signing by Elektra Records and releasing Mountain High...Valley Low in 1999. Working with top producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men), Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary) and Keith Thomas (BeBe and CeCe Winans) made for a contemporary urban album while holding to the timeless moral and spiritual themes that Adams' core fanbase was built on. Mountain High bore a basket of great cuts, including the up-tempo "Time to Change" and "Yeah", as well as the poignant song of loss and faith "Fragile Heart," dedicated to the memory of Yolanda's long time road manager who died in 1998.[4] The album's biggest single came in the form of the ballad "Open My Heart" which took Urban Adult Contemporary radio by storm. This would be Adams' first ever top 5 R&B and top 40 Pop hit. "Open My Heart" stayed on the charts for over a year. It was also instrumental in winning Adams her first Grammy, a well-deserved "Best Contemporary Soul Gospel" award.
Yolanda's next endeavor Believe, released later in 2001, was a safer, less ambitious disc that scored moderately with the single "Never Give Up," but failed to match the critical accomplishment of its predecessor. Thereafter, Adams then took a four year hiatus that included both a new baby and an unfortunate divorce. Yolanda also served as a spokesperson for the FILA Corporation's Operation Rebound program, addressing the concerns of inner city school children. Back After Four Years HiatusThe end of Yolanda's hiatus was perfectly timed to miss the label shuffle that resulted in Elektra Records being absorbed by Atlantic Records. Her eager comeback album Day By Day was well received and featured the singles "This Too Shall Pass" as well as "Victory". The latter was featured prominently in the movie The Gospel. Recently on Trinity Broadcasting Network's Praise the Lord, Yolanda told host Kirk Franklin that a new cd is forthcoming in 2007 along with her first clothing line. Adams is now considered by many to be the "first lady of modern Gospel". She has fashioned an enviable career over the past 15+ years through a combination of class, grace and plain old great singing. Adams sang the national anthem at the AFC Championship in 2007 as well as made an appearance on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition also performing the Star Spangled Banner. Radio listeners are starting their mornings off hearing the voice of 5-time Grammy winner Yolanda Adams, but she's not singing. The songstress is now breaking ground as the hostess of a morning show on Houston's Gospel KROI-FM (Praise 92.1). It is said to be the first daily nationally syndicated inspirational show in radio. The Yolanda Adams Morning Show has also launched in the following markets: Atlanta; Augusta, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.; Philadelphia; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; and Indianapolis. Personal lifeIn 1988, Adams married Troy Mason. That marriage ended in divorce less than one year later. In 1997, Adams married former NFL player Tim Crawford. They had one daughter, Taylor Ayanna, in 2001. However, in August 2004, Adams filed for and obtained a divorce from Crawford. Vocal ProfileVoice
Highest note
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DiscographyThis list is abbreviated. For more information about her singles, albums, and videos, see Yolanda Adams discography.
Awards
RIAA Certifications
Trivia
References
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