YOLANDA ADAMS

For gospel legend Yolanda Adams, her stirring Elektra debut, "Mountain High…Valley Low," was an opportunity to bring both her inspirational vision and her wide range of influences to an audience for spiritual fruit.

Since her 1988 debut, the acclaimed and uplifting "Just As I Am," Yolanda has been wowing gospel audiences all over the world. In 1999, four studio albums and one live album later (the Grammy nominated "Yolanda…Live In Washington"), the Houston, Texas native has extended her magnificent reach without watering down the message.

It was while she served as a lead singer with the Southeast Inspirational Choir that Yolanda caught the eye of the prolific

composer/producer, the late Thomas Whitfield. He guided her first album, "Just As I Am" for Sound of Gospel Records. Yolanda went on to sing for the Tribute label in 1990, and was soon hailed as the most versatile contemporary gospel singer since Aretha Franklin.

Religious audiences have been validating Yolanda for well over a decade. She was employed as an elementary school teacher in Houston when she first began to garner recognition for her stunning performances. "I taught second and third grades. I would go on the road during the weekends to sing. Pretty soon the demand started growing. I realized I might be able to make it my career."

Ms. Adams brilliant follow-up albums, "Through The Storm" and "Save The World," won several Stellar awards, Gospel's highest accolade. Her 1995 "More Than A Melody" propelled her into the world of R&B Gospel, with hit singles "Gotta Have Love" and "Open Arms." This CD won a Soul Train Lady of Soul award, a Grammy nomination, and an unforgettable live performance spot on the 1996 Soul Train Music Awards telecast.

ISRAEL HOUGHTON

Israel Houghton is known for injecting contemporary gospel and worship with a blazing, youthful energy that has made him among the most influential tastemakers in his field. As a singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and worship leader, he has created a canon of songs that have become standards in houses of faith around the globe. He has accomplished this largely as the leader of "Israel and New Breed," a Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award-winning musical ensemble and ministry organization that has amassed gold-selling albums and critical platitudes reserved for the best of the best.

Over the past 6 years, Israel has amassed a legion of fans while blasting down musical barriers, and drawing together people of all races, ages and cultures through worship. He has been fittingly graced with 2 Gold-selling albums, 6 Dove Awards, 2 Stellar Awards, a Soul Train Award, and 2 Grammy® Awards— one for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" for A Deeper Level and one for "Best Traditional Gospel Album" for Alive In South Africa. Ironically, there is very little that is "traditional" about the way Israel approaches music and ministry, defying categorization with an ease that other artists envy.

"It's not a white sound or black sound, it's a Kingdom sound," explains the songwriter and producer. And it is because of this progressive connection to now-generation believers that Israel's music has been fanatically embraced around the globe.

As part of his personal effort to change the world, Israel supports a variety of compassion-focused ministries including the international relief and aid organization World Vision and a medical missions ministry birthed out of Houston's Lakewood Church where he serves as a worship leader.