Yolanda Adams

Contemporary gospel singer Yolanda Adams hails from Houston, Texas, where she spent her young adulthood teaching, modelling, and singing in choirs. Adams's debut, JUST AS I AM, was released in 1987, followed by SAVE THE WORLD (1989), and MORE THAN A MELODY (1995). Adams continued recording and releasing albums into the late '90s when she had a commercial breakthrough with her major label debut, MOUNTAIN HIGH.VALLEY LOW (1999). The album went platinum and netted Adams a Grammy award. THE EXPERIENCE (2001), a live album, also won a Grammy, while that year's BELIEVE, 2005's DAY BY DAY, THE BEST OF ME (a greatest-hits package), and 2007's WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME, a holiday album, continued to enjoy impressive popularity and sales.