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The Winans

American gospel quartet (1980-2005)

The Winans were an American gospel quartet from Detroit, Michigan, consisting of brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald Winans.

01History

Brothers Ronald, Marvin, Carvin, and Michael Winans, the second, third, fourth and fifth siblings of the Winans family, grew up in Detroit, Michigan. They were discovered by Andrae Crouch, who signed them to Light Records.

Ronald, Marvin, and Carvin made two albums in 1974 without Michael, and in 1975 with Michael under the name the Testimonial Singers.

Their big break was their first record Introducing the Winans, produced in 1981 by Andrae Crouch, two years after he discovered them and invited them to tour with him.

They performed vocals in This Is America, Charlie Brown's segment "The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad" in 1989. Their style was noted for its crossover efforts and received airplay on R&B radio. The group's last recording was in 1995. They have been involved in various Winans family projects where they are credited as the Winans, like on November 2000's Christmas: Our Gifts to You.

The eldest brother of the group Ronald Winans died on June 17, 2005, of retaining fluid.

02Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US US
R&B
US
Gospel
US
CCM
1981 Introducing the Winans
  • Released: 1981
  • Label: Light
, , , ,
1983 Long Time Comin'
  • Released: 1983
  • Label: Light
, , 8 ,
1984 Tomorrow
  • Released: 1984
  • Label: Light
, , 3 ,
1985 Let My People Go , 57 1 ,
1987 Decisions
  • Released: September 1, 1987
  • Label: Qwest / Warner Bros.
109 30 1 12
1988 Live at Carnegie Hall
  • Released: 1988
  • Label: Qwest / Warner Bros.
, , 13 22
1990 Return
  • Released: April 24, 1990
  • Label: Qwest / Warner Bros.
90 12 1 4
1993 All Out
  • Released: August 24, 1993
  • Label: Qwest / Warner Bros.
, 41 15 9
  • US Sales: 79,000
1995 Heart & Soul
  • Released: October 24, 1995
  • Label: Qwest / Warner Bros.
, , 3 12
2000 Christmas: Our Gifts to You
  • Released: November 14, 2000
  • Label: Diamante
, , , ,
", " denotes releases that did not chart

Compilation albums

Year Album details Chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US
Gospel
1990 The Best of the Winans
  • Released: October 17, 1990
  • Label: Light
,
1994 Feel the Spirit
  • Released: May 15, 1994
  • Label: Metacom Music
-
1995 The Light Years
  • Released: November 7, 1995
  • Label: Light
,
2002 Legends of Gospel
  • Released: February 19, 2002
  • Label: Light
,
The Very Best of the Winans
  • Released: April 16, 2002
  • Label: Rhino
16
2003 Great Family of Gospel ,
2004 Gospel Greats
  • Released: April 6, 2004
  • Label: Flashback / Rhino
,
2005 The Definitive Original Greatest Hits ,
2008 Gospel Legacy
  • Released: January 22, 2008
  • Label: Light
,
", " denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US
R&B
UK
1985 "Let My People Go" 42 71 Let My People Go
"Very Real Way" , ,
1986 "The Real Meaning of Christmas" , , The Real Meaning of Christmas (maxi-single)/"Decisions"
1987 "Ain't No Need to Worry" (feat. Anita Baker) 15 , Decisions
"Love Has No Color" (feat. Michael McDonald) , ,
"Give Me You" , ,
1989 "Lean on Me" (with Thelma Houston) 73 , Lean on Me (soundtrack)
1990 "It's Time" (featuring Teddy Riley) 5 , Return
"A Friend" (featuring Aaron Hall) 11 ,
"When You Cry" (featuring Kenny G) 40 ,
1991 "Don't Leave Me" 34 ,
1993 "Payday" (featuring R. Kelly) 74 , All Out
1994 "That Extra Mile" , ,
1995 "Heart & Soul" 89 , Heart & Soul
1996 "Count It All Joy" , ,
"Standing on Promises" , ,
", " denotes the single failed to chart or was not released

03Awards

  • Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: All Out (1993)
  • Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus: "Let Brotherly Love Continue" (Daniel Winans featuring the Winans & BeBe Winans) (1990)
  • Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus: The Winans Live at Carnegie Hall (1988)
  • Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus: "Ain't No Need to Worry" (The Winans featuring Anita Baker) (1987)
  • Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus: "Let My People Go" (1986)
  • Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male: "Bring Back the Days of Yea and Nay" (Marvin Winans) (1985)
  • Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus: "Tomorrow" (1985)
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Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article The Winans, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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