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Industry News
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Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Raised in the same church congregation that nurtured gospel greats Andrea Crouch, Walter and Tremaine Hawkins, BeBe Winans & CeCe Winans and The Clark Sisters to name just a few, Vanessa is considered by many to be the most versatile vocalist in gospel music today. A native of Detroit and mother of five, she got her career moving with the assistance of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Vanessa originally recorded gospel albums for the Onyx label, including "Peace Be Still" (1983) and "Chosen" (1984). She recorded the theme song for the television series 'Amen,' where her links to the Reverend Al Green (and ultimately to Rev. Claude Jeter) were apparent. Vanessa Bell Armstrong then moved to Jive Records and took a more secular approach with "Vanessa Bell Armstrong" (1987), which included "You Bring Out The Best In Me" and "Pressing On." "Wonderful One" (1989) and "The Truth About Christmas" (1990) followed. Vanessa also recorded a duet with Jonathan Butler, "True Love Never Fails" (1988). Later albums include "Something On The Inside" (1993) and "The Secret Is Out" (1995). Three years later, she released her first live album, "Desire of My Heart: Live." A 'best-of' collection appeared in 1999. The acting career of Vanessa Bell Armstrong began in the 1980's when she appeared in the Broadway hit "Don't Get God Started." She followed up with a cameo role in Oprah Winfrey's television movie "The Women of Brewster Place" and now has more than a dozen acting credits. "Music is my first love, but I like the challenge of acting," she says. "I am in complete control of a concert, but in a play I must have the discipline to follow the producer's vision." "Vanessa Bell Armstrong has more than paid her dues" says David Gough, president and founder of the Detroit-based hall of fame. "She is a diva in her own right."
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