Vanessa Bell Armstrong facts for kids

Vanessa Bell Armstrong (born October 2, 1953) is a famous American singer. She is known for her amazing gospel and R&B songs. Vanessa released her first album, Peace Be Still, in 1983.

She has been nominated for the Grammy Award seven times! She also won a Stellar Award and a Soul Train Award. Vanessa has worked with many other talented artists like Mattie Moss Clark, The Clark Sisters, and James Cleveland. She grew up in Detroit, and in 2017, she received a special honorary degree in theology.

Vanessa's Music Journey

Vanessa Bell Armstrong started singing and directing the choir at her father's church in Detroit. Her first solo album, Peace Be Still, came out in 1983. The song "Peace Be Still" quickly became one of her most well-known songs.

Her second album, Chosen, was a big hit! It reached number one on the US Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. In 1988, her album Following Jesus won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album.

Mainstream Success

In the late 1980s, Vanessa's music became popular with many different people. Her 1987 album, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, included the hit song "You Bring Out The Best in Me." Another popular song from that album was "Pressing On."

In 1989, her album Wonderful One featured a cover of "Something Inside So Strong." This song was originally about fighting Apartheid, which was a system of unfairness in South Africa. In 1995, Vanessa and other gospel artists remade the song to honor Rosa Parks, a brave civil rights activist.

Vanessa also performed on Broadway in 1991 in a show called Don't Get God Started. A song from that play, "Always," was also on her 1987 album. Her Broadway role even led to a small appearance in Oprah Winfrey's TV special The Women of Brewster Place. She also sang the theme song for the popular 1980s TV show Amen.

After a short break, Vanessa released a new album called A Brand New Day in 2001. In 2004, she received a special award for her lifetime of achievements in gospel music.

Inspiring Songs

Her 2007 album, Walking Miracle, included both traditional gospel songs and newer, more modern ones. The title song, "Walking Miracle," was inspired by her son, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis around the time the album was released. This shows how her music often comes from her own life experiences.

Working with Other Artists

Vanessa has sung with many other talented musicians. She recorded a duet called "Choose Ye" with the gospel group The Winans. She also sang the theme song for the TV show Amen. Her voice can be heard on several songs with John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir, like "We Walk By Faith" and "We Glorify."

Awards and Recognitions

Vanessa Bell Armstrong has been recognized many times for her amazing music.

Grammy Nominations

• Peace Be Still (1983) - Nominated for Best Soul Gospel Performance – Female
• Chosen (1985) - Nominated for Best Soul Gospel Performance – Female
• "Choose Ye" (1986) - Nominated for Best Soul Gospel Performance – Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus
• "Pressing On" (1988) - Nominated for Best Soul Gospel Performance – Female
• The Truth About Christmas (1991) - Nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album
• Something On the Inside (1993) - Nominated for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album
• The Experience (2009) - Nominated for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album

About Her Family

Vanessa Bell Armstrong has five children.