Juan Winans facts for kids
Juan Winans is an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is famous for being part of the Winans family, a well-known family in gospel music.
Contents
A Musical Family
Juan Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan. He is the second of four children of Carvin Winans and Deborah Kerr Winans. His sister is the actress Deborah Joy Winans.
Juan's family has a long history in music. His grandparents, David and Delores Winans, were known as "Mom & Pop Winans." They had ten children and taught them all how to sing. Many of them became famous gospel singers.
In 1980, Juan's father, Carvin, and three of his uncles formed the group The Winans. They were discovered by the famous gospel singer Andrae Crouch. The Winans went on to win five Grammy Awards and became known as the "First Family of Gospel."
Other family members also became famous. His uncle and aunt became the popular duo BeBe & CeCe Winans. His other aunts, Angie & Debbie Winans, also released their own music.
Music Career
Winans Phase 2
In 1997, Juan's father and uncles needed a theme song for a TV station. They asked their sons to help record it. This was when Juan realized he wanted a career in music.
He joined with his older brother, Carvin Jr., and two cousins, Marvin Winans Jr. and Michael Winans Jr. Together, they formed the group Winans Phase 2. They signed a record deal with Myrrh/Epic Records.
In 1999, they released their first album, We Got Next. It featured music from famous producers like Rodney Jerkins and Babyface. The album was a huge success. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
The group appeared on popular TV shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show and Soul Train. In 2000, they toured in Europe. However, after a big family tour in 2002, the group stopped making music together.
Songwriting and Producing
After Winans Phase 2, Juan moved to Nashville to focus on songwriting. He worked with many famous artists.
- 2003-2007: He sang background vocals for his uncle BeBe Winans, Michelle Williams, and Smokie Norful. He also worked with jazz musician Kirk Whalum.
- 2008-Present: Juan became a successful songwriter. He co-wrote the song "Seattle" for the gospel duo Mary Mary. The song was on their hit album The Sound. He also worked with rapper Heavy D and pop singer Michael Bolton.
In 2010, he helped write the song "Sun" for the movie For Colored Girls. The song was performed by Lalah Hathaway. He continued to work with Mary Mary on their next album, Something Big.
Juan has also written songs for Bishop T.D. Jakes and singer Joe. In 2022 and 2023, he co-wrote two number-one gospel hits for Erica Campbell, "Positive" and "Feel Alright." These songs earned him two Grammy Award nominations as a songwriter.
Personal Life
In 2007, Juan Winans married Lisa Kimmey, a singer from the group Out of Eden. They have one child, a daughter named Sophia, born in 2010. The couple separated in 2023 and later divorced.
Discography
Here is a list of some of the projects Juan Winans has worked on as an artist, composer, or producer.
- 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 (Artist/Composer)
- Juan & Lisa Winans (2019) A Little Soul For Christmas (Artist/Composer)
- Smokie Norful (2014) Love (Composer)
- Beth Hart (2012) With You Everyday (Composer)
- Heavy D (2011) Love Opus (Composer/Vocalist)
- Jessica Reedy (2011) From The Heart (Composer/Producer)
- T.D. Jakes (2011) Sacred Love Songs Vol. 2 (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)
- BeBe Winans (2007) Cherch (Vocalist)
- Kirk Whalum (2005) Songs of Babyface (Vocalist)
- Michelle Williams (2004) Do You Know (Vocalist)
- Smokie Norful (2004) Nothing Without You (Vocalist)
- Winans Phase 2 (1999) We Got Next (Artist/Composer)
