Grammy-nominated and Stellar-award winning gospel artist, Vickie Winans will headline the 25th Annual Sunflower River Gospel Festival. Sunday, August 12, 2012, Clarksdale, MS!
BIO (via vickiewinans.com)
Born October 18, 1953 and the 7th of 12 children, who knew that a Billboard-charting gospel icon would be found in Vickie Bowman. 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. 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 five beautiful grandchildren.
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!”Winans is one of the best-known artists in gospel music with signature songs such as “How I Got Over,” “Shake Yourself Loose,” “As Long As I Got King Jesus” and “We Shall Behold Him” to her credit. 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.
