User:Judy DeRamus

'Judy DeRamus' (born Julia Karen Wilkins; April 10, 1956 in Gold Beach, Oregon). Judy DeRamus is a multi-award winning recording artist in Christian Country and Country Gospel music.

Singing in public started at the early age of three for Judy as she had to stand in a chair at the local country radio station to be able to reach the microphone. Little did anyone know at the time that this shy young girl would impact literally thousands of lives in the years to come with her beautiful voice. Judy was born in Gold Beach, Oregon but became an Okie at the ripe old age of three months when her family moved back to the Oklahoma hills where they had lived prior to their West Coast years. Judy's love for music grew and after graduation from High School she traveled full time with her own country band. However, Judy's heart and desire was always in singing Gospel music. Although good things were happening to further her country music career she decided to follow her heart and re-established her relationship with God. Through the encouragement of singer / actor Hoyt Axton, Judy went back into the studios and record Gospel music with a country flavor. Since that time Judy has had Seventeen #1 songs and four Grammy Nomination Entries, Becoming the youngest female inductee into Country Gospel Music's Hall of Fame and won the Female Vocalist of the Decade Award from the International Country Gospel Music Association. Judy won Female Vocalist of the Year six out of ten years in the Decade of the 90's as well as being nominated by TNN / Music City News for a Christian Country award. Judy has recorded seven CDs and three of them has been with the legendary Jordanaires that recorded with Elvis Presley. The State of Tennessee honored her in presenting her Tennessee's Outstanding Achievement Award. The U.S. Congress presented her A Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for her contributions to the music industry. Judy has also made an appearance in the movie "The Apostle" staring Robert Duvall. Judy's home town of Broken Bow, Oklahoma where she lives with her husband Doug and children has declared February 4th as Judy DeRamus Day. Judy records for Nashville Gospel Records and travels together with her sister Shelia Lewis ministering in song performing in Churches, festivals, auditoriums, Cowboys for Christ and Oprys. Of all that she has received through the years, her heart to help people with the love of the Lord shines even brighter.