Vanessa Bell Armstrong facts for kids

Vanessa Bell Armstrong (born October 2, 1953) is an American R&B and gospel singer. She released her first album, Peace Be Still, in 1983. Vanessa is a very successful singer! She has been nominated for a Grammy Award seven times. She has also won a Stellar Award and a Soul Train Award.

Vanessa has worked with many famous musicians. These include Mattie Moss Clark, Daryl Coley, The Clark Sisters, Rance Allen, and James Cleveland. She was born in Detroit. In 2017, she received an honorary degree in theology from Next Dimension University.

Her Music Journey

Vanessa's father was a minister at a church in Ferndale, Michigan. She directed the choir and sang there when she was younger.

Vanessa Armstrong released her first solo album, Peace Be Still, in 1983. The song "Peace Be Still" became one of her most famous songs. Her second album, Chosen, was a big hit! It reached number one on the US Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. She even performed at the first-ever Soul Train Awards. In 1988, her 1986 album Following Jesus won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album.

In the late 1980s, Vanessa became even more popular. Her 1987 album, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, included the song "You Bring Out The Best in Me," which was popular on the Billboard charts. Another song, "Pressing On," was a favorite in clubs. In 1988, her album Wonderful One featured a cover of "Something Inside So Strong." This song was originally about fighting Apartheid. In 1995, Vanessa and other gospel artists remade the song to honor Rosa Parks, a famous civil rights activist.

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

After a break from recording, Vanessa released A Brand New Day in 2001. In 2004, she received a special award for her lifetime achievements in gospel music at the Gospel Superfest.

Her 2007 album, Walking Miracle, was her first album in six years. It mixed traditional gospel songs with newer, more modern ones. The title song was inspired by her son, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis around the time the album came out.

Working with Others

Vanessa Armstrong sang a special duet called "Choose Ye" with the gospel group The Winans. She also sang the theme song for the 1980s NBC TV show Amen. She often sang with John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir. You can hear her voice on their songs like "We Walk By Faith" and "We Glorify."

Awards and Nominations

Vanessa Bell Armstrong has been nominated for a Grammy Award seven times!

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

Her Family Life

Vanessa Armstrong has five children.

Her Albums

Vanessa Bell Armstrong has released many albums throughout her career, including studio albums, live albums, and compilations. She has also released several singles.