Wikipedia

Vanessa Bell Armstrong

Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Born
Vanessa Bell

(1953-10-02) October 2, 1953 (age 72)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationGospel singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1968–present

Vanessa Bell Armstrong (née Bell; born October 2, 1953)[1] is an American R&B and gospel singer who released her debut album Peace Be Still in 1983. She is a seven-time Grammy Award nominee, Stellar Award winner, and she won a Soul Train Award. She has worked with many in the industry including Mattie Moss Clark (who helped Armstrong with her career), Daryl Coley, The Clark Sisters, Rance Allen, James Cleveland, and many others.[2] Armstrong (a Detroit native), has an honorary doctorate degree in theology from Next Dimension University, received at the West Angeles Cathedral in Los Angeles in 2017.

Career

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When I started out, I was a contemporary vocalist however the late Thomas Whitfield mixed it up with a traditional feel and since then I never went far from that... I love the contemporary and I love the traditional... to me the time-honored sounds of Gospel music is our medicine... it gives us hope... it encourages, but the contemporary-up tempo stuff is what lifts us up. It all works together.

— Vanessa Bell Armstrong[citation needed]

Her father was the pastor at Greater Mount Everett Church of God in Christ in Detroit Michigan Ferndale south of Royal Oak, Michigan. Vanessa directed the choir and sang in it.[3]

Vanessa Armstrong made her solo debut on Onyx/Muscle Shoals Sound Records in 1983 with the album Peace Be Still. The title track became one of Armstrong's signature songs. Her second album Chosen was number one on the US Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.[4] She performed on the 1st Annual Soul Train Awards ceremony.[5] Her 1986 album Following Jesus won a Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Album – Solo in 1988. She is also a seven time Grammy Award-nominee.

Armstrong enjoyed a bit of mainstream success in the late 1980s. Her self-titled 1987 Jive Records debut had the Billboard-charting hit "You Bring Out The Best in Me," as well as the club favorite "Pressing On."[4][6] In the next year a follow-up album Wonderful One featured a cover of the Labi Siffre anti-Apartheid anthem "Something Inside So Strong." Armstrong along with Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, and other gospel artists remade the song in 1995 as a tribute to Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist. The song was sent to radio stations to play on the 40th anniversary of Parks' arrest. Armstrong appeared on Broadway in 1991 in a production of Don't Get God Started.[7] "Always," a Marvin Winans composition which is a key song in the play, appeared on Armstrong's 1987 self-titled album. The Broadway role lead to a cameo appearance in the Oprah Winfrey TV special The Women of Brewster Place. Armstrong was chosen to record the theme for the popular 1980s NBC sitcom Amen. Armstrong took a three-year self-imposed hiatus from recording before releasing A Brand New Day under a new deal with Tommy Boy Gospel in 2001.[8] She was presented with a lifetime achievement award during 2004's Gospel Superfest.[9]

Her 2007 album, Walking Miracle, is her first release in 6 years, and blends traditional gospel fare like "So Good To Me" (produced by Smokie Norful) with contemporary songs such as "Til The Victory's Won" (produced by Fred Jerkins III) and the title track (produced by Rodney Jerkins). The latter song was inspired by Armstrong's son who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at about the same time of the album's release.[10]

In June 2024, Armstrong released her first studio album in 15 years, titled ‘Today’.

Collaborations

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Armstrong recorded a stand out duet "Choose Ye" with gospel act The Winans on their major label debut Let My People Go for Qwest Records. She also sang the theme song for the 1980s NBC sitcom Amen. She was a frequent musical guest of the early projects of John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir, and her voice is featured on several songs which include "We Walk By Faith" and "We Glorify".

Personal life

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Armstrong has five children.[3]

Discography

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Albums

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Compilations

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Singles

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Awards and nominations

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Dove Awards

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Main article: Dove Awards

The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Bell Armstrong has received 2 nominations.[12]

Year Award Nominated work Result
1984 Traditional Black Gospel Album Peace Be Still Nominated
1985 Chosen' Nominated

Grammy Awards

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Main article: Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Bell Armstrong has received 7 nominations.[13]

Year Award Nominated work Result
1984 Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female Peace Be Still Nominated
1986 Chosen Nominated
1987 Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo, Group, Choir Or Chorus "Chosen Ye" (with The Winans) Nominated
1989 Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female "Pressing On" Nominated
1992 Best Traditional Gospel Album The Truth About Christmas Nominated
1994 Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album Something On The Inside Nominated
2011 Best Traditional Gospel Album The Experience Nominated

Soul Train Awards

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The Soul Train Music Awards are awarded annually. Bell Armstrong has received 1 award.

Year Award Nominated work Result
1988 Best Gospel Album – Solo Following Jesus Won

Stellar Awards

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The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Bell Armstrong has received 3 awards from 6 nominations.[14]

Year Award Nominated work Result
1989 Contemporary Female Artist of the Year Vanessa Bell Armstrong Won
1994 Something On the Outside Won
2008 Female Vocalist of the Year Walking Miracle Nominated
2011 Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year The Experience Nominated
Traditional CD of the Year Nominated
2013 Traditional Female Artist of the Year Timeless Won

Miscellaneous honors

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Year Organization Award Nominated work Result
2025 Missouri Gospel Music Hall of Fame Herself[15] Inducted

References

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  1. ^ Pollard, Deborah Smith (2013). "Armstrong, Vanessa Bell". Grove Music Online. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2234178. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  2. ^ "Vanessa Bell Armstrong". soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Attlee, James (July 1, 1990). "Vanessa Bell Armstrong: The Detroit Mother of Five Who Became a Gospel Superstar". Cross Rhythms. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  4. ^ a b J. Matthew Cobb (August 31, 2007). "80's Countdown". PraiseHymnOnline.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2007.
  5. ^ "Soul Train – Don Cornelius Production". SoulTrain.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2013.
  6. ^ Hardy, James Earl (1995). "Hip deep in gospel – American African music form continues to change". American Visions.
  7. ^ Holden, Stephen (October 31, 1987). "The Stage: 'Don't Get God Started,' a Gospel Musical". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2007.
  8. ^ "Vanessa Bell Armstrong – A Brand New Day". GospelCity.com. December 28, 2001. Archived from the original on September 14, 2005.
  9. ^ Rosenthal, Phil (January 23, 2004). "What are you looking at?". Chicago Sun-Times.
  10. ^ "Vanessa Bell Armstrong EMI Gospel Press Release". Archived from the original on October 8, 2007.
  11. ^ North, Stan (November 6, 2001). "A Brand New Day Album Review". GospelFlava.com. Archived from the original on April 16, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
  12. ^ "Dove Award History". Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  13. ^ "Vanessa Bell Armstrong". Grammy.com. Recording Academy. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  14. ^ "Stellar Award History - Gospel Flava". Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "The Gospel Music Hall of Fame Announces Its 2025 Inductees". August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
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