Yolanda Adams

Yolanda Adams, the groundbreaking Grammy- winning contemporary gospel artist, has signed with Columbia Records, who will release her new collection of holiday songs on Tuesday, October 16. Yolanda is currently recording the as-yet-untitled seasonal showcase with legendary production team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in her hometown of Houston, Texas. Adams, Jam and Lewis will continue their creative collaboration on a follow-up studio album for Columbia to be released in early 2008. "Yolanda Adams is truly the 'first lady of modern gospel' and we are proud to have her on the Columbia Records roster," said Steve Barnett, Chairman, Columbia Records. "Her pioneering blend of R&B, pop and gospel continues to inspire her fans and transform the musical landscape. Her music has brought me a lot of joy over the years and we are all very excited to hear where Yolanda is going next." Born and raised in Houston, Texas, where her first musical influences ranged from gospel and classical music to R&B and Motown, Yolanda Adams found her calling and honed her craft as the lead singer in the Southeast Inspiration Choir. Her debut album, "Just As I Am," reached #8 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart in 1987 and inaugurated an unbroken string of chart-topping collections including the #1 Top Gospel Albums: "Mountain High ... Valley Low" (1999), "Christmas With Yolanda Adams" (2000), "Believe" (2001), and "Day By Day" (2005). The star of "The Yolanda Adams Morning Show," airing on major radio stations across-the-country, Yolanda has been the recipient of numerous honors including four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, seven NAACP Image Awards (including 2001 Outstanding Female Artist and 2006 Outstanding Gospel Artist), one Soul Train Music Award and five Grammy Awards. She is the first artist to win the American Music Award for Best Contemporary/Inspirational Artist (2001) and took home the BET Award for Best Gospel Artist three years in a row (2001, 2002, 2003).