04:07 PM CST on Friday, November 7, 2003

Grammy® nominated gospel superstar Yolanda Adams

Performing on the Turkey Float

Gospel legend Yolanda Adams has been wowing gospel audiences all over the world. The Houston native has received rave reviews from critics who refer to her as one of gospel's "seminal" voices.

Religious audiences have been validating Yolanda for well over a decade. She was employed as an elementary teacher in Houston when she first began to garner recognition for her 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."

The eldest of six siblings, her pioneering spirit and boundless optimism soon became her trademark. Her solid church background and love of all kinds of music, which she says: "was inspired by family- everything from Stevie Wonder to Beethoven," left her with a respect for traditional musical hues, as well as a desire for more contemporary interpretation. "Too many times we're put in a box by musical labels," she says.

The singer, whose love of children's causes is almost as legendary as her singing, eagerly embraces the social responsibility that comes with the blessings of success. She's served as a spokesperson for the FILA Corporation's Operation Rebound program, which address the concerns of inner city school children. She recalls her days as a teacher fondly, and tries to instill in her audience the need for positive reinforcement, no matter from what walk of life. "It's been my experience that of whatever you ask of them, you must look to the best in them. The transformation can be astounding."