Vickie Winans | How I Got Over
The beauty of a gospel artist is that their voice can plant seeds for Jesus through their music and ministries. But alongside their fame and responsibilities come the challenges; sometimes more than even one could possibly fathom. If one could list what trails Vickie Winans has faced, she could write a book. Surviving two divorces, losing her mother and several frustrations with the music industry, and so much more, there is plenty of reason for Vickie to testify how she got over those big humps. The consummate professional since entering the music business, she started a record company a few years back, created and starred in a fitness video and released a comedy project. To state that she is a go-getter for God might be the best way in describing this multi-awarded singer who first discovered her gift in a slightly unconventional way – in the bathtub. Vicki’s professional career took off during her marriage to Pastor Marvin Winans, a member of the eighties’ gospel/soul vocal group The Winans with brothers Carvin, Michael and Ronald. Yet once she released her debut for Light Records, Vickie never really needed to lean on other family members coattails to prove her formidable talent. And oh – how her faith was tested several times over and again.
The 1985 release, Be Encouraged, was a remarkable start for Vickie that generated plenty of gospel radio play. But it was the power balled, “We Shall Behold Him” composed by Dottie Rambo, where her fans first took notice. Unfortunately, sales for Vickie’s sophomore disc, the 1989 disc Total Victory, went way south; a similar fate for her label home Light Records which was going through financial ruin. The difficulties continued as she signed with a secular label where she could hopefully crossover to sing her vibrant brand of gospel. The record executives had other plans. From 1991, The Lady(co-produced by R. Kelly and Marvin & Mario Winans) her one and only disc for the MCA record family, was met with mostly negative feedback. But just like the familiar song claims, she picked herself up and started over again. In other words she always found a way to ‘get over.’ In 1997 & 1999 respectively, the recorded concert series Live in
Being the persevering spirit she it, Vickie broke from Verity in 2006 to finally form her company, Destiny Joy Records. The second release from DJ, How I Got Over, is another testimonial record as usual and has many shining moments. The title track focuses on what Vickie does best; bridging the traditional with the now, courtesy of a snappy ‘21st century’ scat by her nephew, Tim Bowman, Jr. One might consider dusting off their old-school roller skates (not blades) as “Swoop” & “Dance Till the Walls Come Down” throws down that‘rock, roll, skate’ feeling. There is contemporary praise dance with “Heyy,” a perfectly suited pairing with Tye Tribbett. From the Live in
Through the years, I have considered Vickie as one of the most versatile female vocalists alongside Patti, Aretha and Chaka. That said, How I Got Over successfully extends Vickie’s musical and ministry legacy and certainly qualifies as her lifelong mission statement.
Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene