User:CLWinans/sandbox

Carvin Lawrence Winans (born March 5, 1958) Is an American gospel singer and member of the musical Winans family.

Personal life
Carvin Lawrence Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, the third of 10 children of Delores (Ransom) and David Glenn Winans, Sr., who recorded together as "Mom and Pop Winans". His siblings David II, Ronald, Marvin (his fraternal twin), Benjamin (BeBe), Michael, Daniel, Priscilla (CeCe), Deborah (Debbie), Angelique (Angie) are also musically gifted and have careers in the music industry singing, writing and producing. Carvin is a devoted and loving husband to Chérie, they have two children beautiful, Shanniah and Laylah and reside in Toronto. He has four wonderful & gifted children, Carvin Jr (once a memeber of Winans Phase II), Juan (once a memeber of Winans Phase II), Deborah, Ian, from his previous marriage to Deborah K.

Musical Career
Winans sang in the 1970's with his brothers Ronald, Marvin(his twin) and Michael (the group also included others) as The Testimonial Singers. Their first performance was at a high school talent show. In 1975 the group's name was changed to The Winans. Their musical careers spanned both the 1980s and 1990s. The Winans, who were discovered by Andrae Crouch, released their first album under the new group's name, entitled Introducing The Winans, in 1981. The Winans were greatly influenced by the Queen of Gospel Albertina Walker and her group The Caravans. Carvin also wrote songs, for the The Winans records. Some of his work outside of the group consists of a #1 hit song on Billboard for Regina Belle (Make It Like It Was), Whitney Houston (LOVE IS), Peabo Bryson (Life Goes On), Winans Phase II (Too much heaven), and Vanessa Bell Armstrong (Here’s to You). He sang the hit song "Tomorrow" which he wrote at Whitney Houston's funeral. Winans sang background vocals on “Man in the Mirror” produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. He sang with Kenny Loggins on “Imaginary Life”, and Michael McDonald on “Love has no color”. He also performed on “The Winans Real Meaning of Christmas” show, which aired in 1992 and 1993. He was host and Executive Producer in 2000 of “All Access with Carvin Winans” which aired for two seasons on WDIV TV with numerous celebrity guests such as Debbie Allen, Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, and Brian McKnight.

In 2002 Carvin performed on a sold out world tour with the Winans family in front of millions of fans which closed out in Detroit at the Fox Theatre. In October 2007 he was inducted in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville Tennessee along with his brothers. In 2008 Carvin received the President’s Merit Award from the Recording Academy in recognition of his extraordinary gifts as a passionate singer, performer, expressive communicator, and pioneer of contemporary gospel music. In 2010, Winans released his first Children’s Book entitled “Conrad Saves Pinger Park” and will be releasing more.

Awards

 * Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: All Out (1993)
 * Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group, Choir Or Chorus: The Winans Live At Carnegie Hall (1988)
 * Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Ain't No Need To Worry" (The Winans featuring Anita Baker) (1987)
 * Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Let My People Go" (1986)
 * Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus: "Tomorrow" (1985)
 * "The Winans" have received a total of 9 Grammy Nominations, received several NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards, Dove Awards and Stellar Awards.
 * Three Gold Records

Introducing The Winans

 * Released: 1981 (1981)
 * Format: LP
 * Label: Light Records

Long Time Comin'

 * Released: 1984 (1984)
 * Format: LP
 * Label: Light Records

Tomorrow

 * Released: 1984 (1984)
 * Format: LP
 * Label: Light Records

Let My People Go

 * Released: 1985 (1985)
 * Format: LP
 * Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.

Decisions

 * Released: 1987 (1987)
 * Format: LP
 * Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.

The Winans Live At Carnegie Hall

 * Released: 1988 (1988)
 * Format: LP
 * Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.

Return

 * Released: 1990 (1990)
 * Format: CD
 * Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.

All Out

 * Released: 1993 (1993)
 * Format: CD
 * Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.

Heart & Soul

 * Released: 1995 (1995)
 * Format: CD
 * Label: Qwest/Warner Bros.

Christmas: Our Gifts To You

 * Released: 2000 (2000)
 * Format: CD
 * Label: Diamante Music Group