Gospel Superstar Yolanda Adams
YOLANDA ADAMS, Considered by many to be the first lady of modern Gospel, Yolanda Adams has fashioned an enviable career over the past 15+ years through a combination of class, grace and plain old great singing. Raised 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 following her graduation from college even as she began a career teaching elementary school. Soon she began to garner significant note as a singer and made the decision to give up teaching to perform full-time.
Ever since her late-`80s debut Just As I Am, Yolanda Adams has triumphantly carried the torch for contemporary gospel and inspirational music via 12 glorious albums. Stunningly beautiful, exceptionally educated, filled with the spirit and blessed with one of the most powerful voices in any genre of music, this Houston-native and one-time school teacher has been a stately beacon of God’s light, earning numerous accolades and awards for her shining efforts, including the first American Music Award for Contemporary Gospel Artist, four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and four National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Grammy® Awards (including 1999’s Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for Mountain High…Valley Low which featured her secular breakthrough hit “Open My Heart,” and 2005’s Best Gospel Song for “Be Blessed,” for which she was a co-writer).
In 2007, Yolanda Adams made a major transition to Columbia Records, a powerhouse recording company with history dating back a century. “When my contract was up, I seized this opportunity,” Adams states. “I needed to come to a place where singers are loved and adored. With everybody from Beyoncé to Celine Dion, Columbia is that place. They really know what to do for people with voices.” Steve Barnett of Columbia Records states, “Yolanda Adams is truly the ‘first lady of modern gospel’ and we are proud to have her on the Columbia roster. Her pioneering blend of R&B, pop and gospel continues to inspire her fans and transform the musical landscape. Her music has brought me a lot of joy over the years and we are all very excited to hear where Yolanda is going next.”
