Six Grammy nominations, eight Stellar Awards, an NAACP Image Award, thousands of concert dates, and millions of fans around the world prove that Vickie Winans is one of the greatest artists of our generation. She’s a household name and the Hardest Working Woman in Gospel music. Now, with over 20 years in the limelight, Winans has finally recorded her first Holiday CD – “Happy Holidays from Vickie Winans” (in stores on October 2, 2007) the first project on her own label, Destiny Joy Records (Distributed by Central South Distribution).
It’s doubtful that Vickie’s parents knew that their 7th of 12 children would be a Billboard-charting gospel icon. But while singing her first solo in church at the age of 8, it’s certain that Aaron and Mattie Bowman saw something special in their daughter. Growing up in church in Detroit, MI, she honed her skills and belted out songs stunning audiences time and time again. Eventually, she connected with the Winans family who helped her get her start.
On the path to gospel superstardom, Winans released one hit after another with 1 songs such as “We Shall Behold Him”, “As Long As I Got King Jesus”, “We Need a Word from the Lord,” “Shake Yourself Loose”, “It’s Alright” and “The Rainbow.”
Decades later, Vickie Winans is not only known as an award-winning gospel recording artist, but she’s revered as a consummate business woman that heads up Viviane, Inc. where she manages herself and books hundreds of shows per year. She is also the President of her own record label, Destiny Joy Records. A producer, director, songwriter, actress and comedienne as well, Winans does everything in excellence.
Among all of her many accolades, Winans feels that her most rewarding accomplishments are the significant roles she plays in her family. She is a loving sibling to her 11 brothers and sisters, (the Bowman family). In 2003, Winans married her love, Joe McLemore in a lavish wedding in Las Vegas. Another one of her most satisfying jobs is her role as mother and grandmother. She’s the mother of two hit producers and singers, Mario Winans and Marvin Winans, Jr.; and grandmother to 11-year old Mario Mendell Winans II and her 7-year old granddaughter, Skyler Destiny Winans.
Vickie Winans knows she’s a blessed woman and she’s eager to share her life’s experiences with everyone she comes in contact with. Her infectious and humorous personality and her thousand-watt smile will disarm the coldest stranger. “Although I’ve had my share of heartaches, pain, and sickness over the years, I know that God has blessed me and given me great favor! It’s because of Him that I have a fantastic family, great friends, and a rewarding career!” It’s in that spirit that Winans can wish the whole world a Happy Holiday season for years to come through fifteen masterful songs that will surely go down in history as another true holiday classic CD!
Winans is one of the best-known artists in gospel music with signature songs such as “Shake Yourself Loose,” “As Long As I Got King Jesus” and “We Shall Behold Him” to her credit. Her cd "Bringing It All Together" spent nine weeks at 1 on the Billboard gospel album sales chart in 2003 and a full year in the Top Ten. The CD also won a Grammy nomination and five Stellar Awards. Her latest CD “Woman to Woman: Songs of Life” has also topped Billboard’s gospel chart and continues to gain momentum.
Winans has been profiled in Ebony magazine, USA Today and the Associated Press. Her profile on BET’s Sunday morning TV series “Lift Every Voice” remains the most watched episode in that program’s history with over 800,000 viewers.
For high res, jpegs and other media info, contact: Bill Carpenter at (202) 506-5051 or carpenterbill@mac.com.
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