Juan Winans facts for kids
Juan Winans is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He comes from the famous Winans family, known for their gospel music.
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Juan Winans' Family and Early Life
Juan Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 24. He is the second of four children born to Carvin Winans and Deborah Kerr Winans. His younger sister is Deborah Joy Winans.
His grandparents, David and Delores Winans, were also singers. They met in 1951 and married two years later. They had ten children, including seven sons and three daughters. David and Delores were known as Mom & Pop Winans. They raised their children in a religious home and taught them to sing. The family often performed gospel music in their great-grandfather's church.
In 1980, four of Juan's uncles—Marvin, Carvin, Michael, and Ronald—were discovered by musician Andrae Crouch. They formed a group called The Winans. Juan's father, Carvin Winans, and his brothers released their first album, Introducing The Winans, in 1981. They became very successful, winning five Grammy Awards and earning the title "First Family of Gospel music." Later, Juan's uncle and aunt, BeBe Winans and CeCe Winans, also became famous as a music duo.
Juan Winans' Music Career
Starting with Winans Phase 2
In 1997, the Winans family was asked to create a theme song for a TV station. Juan, along with his older brother Carvin and two cousins, Marvin Winans Jr and Michael Winans Jr., formed a new group called Winans Phase 2. Juan said he hadn't planned to be a singer before this group started.
They signed a record deal and released their first album, We Got Next, in August 1999. The album quickly became No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Album's chart and sold over 250,000 copies. It was nominated for a Grammy Award. The group also appeared on popular TV shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show and Soul Train. They even toured in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Amsterdam. However, the group stopped making music after a family tour in 2002. Former members mentioned "internal problems" as a reason for the group's end.
Working as a Songwriter and Vocalist (2003-2007)
After Winans Phase 2, Juan continued his music career behind the scenes. In 2003, he recorded background vocals for his uncle BeBe Winans' Christmas album. The next year, he moved to Nashville to focus on writing songs.
He sang background vocals for other artists, including Michelle Williams and Smokie Norful. In 2005, he also provided backing vocals for songs by Kirk Whalum and George Huff. During this time, Juan also led worship services at a church in Nashville for four years.
Songwriting and Producing Success (Since 2008)
Since 2008, Juan Winans has become a successful songwriter and producer. In 2008, he helped write the song "Seattle" for the gospel duo Mary Mary. This song was part of their album The Sound, which was very popular and topped the Gospel charts for over six months. He also worked with Heavy D, writing and singing background vocals for a song on his Grammy-nominated album.
In 2009, Juan wrote and produced the song "Need You To Fall" for Michael Bolton. He also worked with producer Warryn Campbell and Lisa Kimmey to write the song "Sun" for the Tyler Perry film, For Colored Girls. This song was performed by Lalah Hathaway and appeared in the movie and on its soundtrack.
Juan continued to collaborate with Mary Mary, co-writing songs like "Catch Me" and "Never Wave My Flag" for their album Something Big. He also contributed music to the movie Jumping the Broom and wrote the song "Closer" for Bishop T.D. Jakes's album, performed by singer Joe.
In 2011, Juan co-wrote and produced songs for Jessica Reedy's album. He also worked on songs for Dawkins & Dawkins and Heavy D. In 2012, he co-wrote and produced "You Should Know" for Greta Prince.
In 2013, Juan co-wrote the song "With You Everyday" with Beth Hart for her album Bang Bang Boom Boom. More recently, in 2022 and 2023, Juan co-wrote the hit songs "Positive" and "Feel Alright" for Erica Campbell. Both songs reached number one on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart and earned Juan two Grammy Award nominations as a songwriter.
Juan Winans' Personal Life
In September 2007, Juan Winans married Lisa Kimmey, who was a singer in the group Out Of Eden. They had a child named Sophia in 2010. The couple separated in 2023 and later divorced.
Juan Winans' Discography
- Erica Campbell (2023) Feel Alright (Blessed) (Composer)
- Erica Campbell (2022) Positive (Composer)
- Juan Winans (2022) Tell That feat. Mr. Talkbox (Artist/Composer)
- Juan Winans (2021) Never On My Own feat. Deborah Joy Winans (Artist/Composer)
- Juan Winans (2020) It Belongs To Me with Lisa Winans feat. Marvin Winans
- Juan & Lisa Winans (2019) A Little Soul For Christmas (Artist/Composer)
- Smokie Norful (2014) Love (Composer)
- Beth Hart (2012) With You Everyday (Composer)
- Q Parker (2012) The Manual (Composer)
- Tristan Wilds (2012) Remember, Remember EP, Cold (Composer, Producer)
- Heavy D (2011) Love Opus (Composer/Vocalist)
- Dawkins & Dawkins (2011) From Now On (Composer)
- Jessica Reedy (2011) From The Heart (Composer/Producer)
- T.D. Jakes (2011) Sacred Love Songs Vol. 2 Closer (Composer)
- Mary Mary (2011) Something Big (Composer)
- For Colored Girls: Music From and Inspired by the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2010) Sun (Composer)
- Michael Bolton (2009) One World One Love (Composer/Producer)
- Mary Mary (2008) The Sound (Composer)
- Heavy D (2008) Vibes (Composer, Vocalist)
- Marvin Winans (2007) Alone But Not Alone (Vocalist/Arranger)
- BeBe Winans (2007) Cherch (Vocalist)
- Matt Redman (2006) Beautiful News (Vocalist)
- Out of Eden (2006) Out of Eden: The Hits (Engineer/Vocal Producer)
- V Three (2006) V3 (Composer/Arranger)
- Kirk Whalum (2005) Songs of Babyface (Vocalist)
- BarlowGirl (2004) (BarlowGirl) (Vocalist)
- Michelle Williams (2004) Vocalist
- George Huff (2004) My Christmas EP (Vocalist/Arranger)
- Smokie Norful (2004) Nothing Without You (Vocalist)
- BeBe Winans (2003) My Christmas Prayer
- BeBe Winans (2002) Live & Up Close (Vocalist)
- Winans Phase 2 (1999) We Got Next (Artist/Composer)
