The Hardest Working Woman in Gospel, Vickie Winans, has overcome a lot since her last CD was released in 2006. Since then, Winans’ beloved mother Mattie Bowman passed away and Winans departed from Verity Records to launch her own Destiny Joy recording label. After surviving those trying times, Winans has rebounded triumphantly. “God has been good to me,” says the seven-time Grammy nominated singer. “I give Him all the praise. He’s stayed with me and held me up when I couldn’t hold up myself. There are so many great things happening that I just have to say that it’s because of God that I made it over.”
How I Got Over is the name of Winans’ forthcoming self-produced CD that hits stores on August 4, 2009. The eleven-song project is a mix of traditional and urban contemporary songs. Her first radio single, “How I Got Over” is Winans’ personal testimony. Taking a line from an old hymn classic favorite, Winans creates a brand new song that celebrates her victories, faith and trust in God. It opens with an upbeat, but old school church flavor and breaks down into a contemporary vamp before closing with her nephew, Tim Bowman Jr. laying down some jazzy scats that would make Ella Fitzgerald stand up and applaud. The project is rounded out with a brilliant dance song “Heyyy” (featuring Tye Tribbett), “Release It” (a tear jerking ballad), and “Swoop” among others.
Recently, Black Entertainment Television (BET) signed Winans to host a new comedy TV series, “A Time to Laugh.” Winans has already begun taping some of the 30 episodes that feature her hilarious emcee skills, G-rated comedians and inspirational music. The series debuts on BET in January 2010. The self-managed artist is also a successful businesswoman who owns a jewelry store and wig shop, Accents by Vickie Winans. Winans burst on the gospel music scene in 1985 with her signature smash “We Shall Behold Him.” She’s remained one of gospel music’s Top 10 artists with appearances on NBC Today and Oprah. She has appeared on the cover of Jet magazine, served as celebrity spokesperson for Daimler-Chrysler and Quaker Oats. Other hits include #1 songs “As Long As I Got King Jesus”, “Shake Yourself Loose” and “The Rainbow.”
