Born August 27, 1961, in Houston, TX; oldest of six children; married Tim Crawford, 1997.
Education: Received teaching degree and certification in Texas.
Education: Received teaching degree and certification in Texas.
Her family offered her a solidly religious upbringing, and as a small child she created for herself an imaginary friend she called "Hallelujah" and sang a solo in church at age three. She grew up with the classic gospel sounds of James Cleveland and the Edwin Hawkins Singers, but hers was also a musically eclectic household. Adams's mother, a pianist who majored in music in college, introduced her daughter to jazz, classical music, and secular R&B. Adams joined a gospel choir, the Southeast Inspirational Choir, shortly after her father's death when she was 13.
A six-foot-one-inch beauty, Adams hoped to become a fashion model even as she embarked on a career as an elementary school teacher. Yolanda Adams always sang gospel music, but the career of gospel music was not a priority,nevertheless, her powerful voice propelled her to the forefront of Gospel Music.
Adams signed with the growing Tribute label in 1990, and between 1990 and 1997 released four successful albums, all of which won Stellar awards, a prestigious gospel music industry honor.
Adams was also in the forefront of redefining gospel's visual image.
Adams harked back to her fashion-model days and challenged the preconceptions of those who, in the words of Essence magazine's Deborah Gregory, "still think gospel means big hats and hymns on Sunday." "{Audiences} love it when you don't look like your basic gospel singer in sequins," Adams told Gregory. "I'm definitely into a couture look,".
