Yolanda Adams
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Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961 in Houston, Texas) is an American singer, one of the most popular gospel music artists of the contemporary period. Along with Kirk Franklin, Adams is one of the first artists to blend R&B and gospel music, an achievement which, while it initially caused criticism among the conservative Christian church, later helped gospel gain airplay in secular venues. She is often referred to as the "Whitney Houston" of Gospel Music because of the similar strong vocals.
Biography
Adams originally worked as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston, Texas. Inspired by her mother, Adams turned to music and released her first album, Just as I Am, in 1988. By the mid-1990s, Adams was a popular and well-known performer, and in 1999 signed a major-label deal with Elektra Records, resulting in a number of successful albums.Her first release on Elektra, Mountain High...Valley Low, won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, and its single "Open My Heart" was a Top 10 R&B hit and won the 2000 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song. Two years later, she won a second Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, this time for 2001's The Experience. In addition, Adams has received the Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist three times (in 2000, 2001, and 2002), and the 2001 Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist.
Personal life
In 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 2004, Adams filed for and obtained a divorce from Crawford.Discography
Albums
- Light release
- 1988: Just As I Am
- 1991: Through The Storm
- 1993: Save the World
- 1995: More Than a Melody
- 1996: Shakin' the House: Live in L.A.
- 1996: Yolanda...Live in Washington
- 1998: Songs From the Heart
- 1999: Mountain High...Valley Low
- 2000: Christmas with Yolanda Adams
- 2001: The Experience
- 2001: Believe
- 2005: Day by Day #23 US
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B/Hip-Hop | |||
| 1996 | "Gotta Have Love" | - | #97 | More Than a Melody |
| 2000 | "Open My Heart" | #57 | #10 | Mountain High...Valley Low |
| 2002 | "I'm Gonna Be Ready" | - | #74 | Believe |
| 2002 | "Never Give Up" | - | #79 | Believe |
| 2003 | "The Battle Is the Lord's" | #75 | - | Yolanda...Live in Washington |
| 2005 | "Someone Watching Over You" | - | #59 | Day by Day |
| 2005 | "Victory" | - | - | Day by Day |
Video Appearances
- 2000: Sum of All Fears (Soundtrack)
- 2002: The Fighting Temptations
- 2004: Honey (Soundtrack)
- 2005: The Gospel
- 2006: Madea's Family reunion (soundtrack)
External links
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