Local News
Yolanda Adams: The ‘How Sweet the Sound’ Interview
clays Center in Brooklyn.
By Kam Williams
Special To The Skanner News
E
ver since her late-Eighties debut, “Just as I Am,”
Yolanda Adams has triumphantly carried the torch
for contemporary gospel and inspirational music via
a dozen glorious albums. Stunningly beautiful, exceptional-
ly educated, filled with the spirit and blessed with one of the
most powerful voices in any genre of music, this former
schoolteacher is a stately beacon of God’s light.
Born in Houston on Aug. 27, 1961, Yolanda has earned
numerous accolades for her shining efforts, including the
first American Music Award for Contemporary Gospel
Artist and four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.
Among the highlights of her career was winning five
Grammy Awards which includes 1999′s Best Contemporary
Soul Gospel Album for “Mountain High…Valley Low” fea-
turing her crossover breakthrough hit “Open My Heart,”
and 2005′s Best Gospel Song, co-written by Ms. Adams
herself, “Be Blessed.”
Christened “The First Lady of Modern Gospel,” Yolan-
da’s pioneering blend of gospel with R&B infused with a
touch of jazz continues to inspire her fans and transform the
musical landscape. “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show”
can currently be heard on radio stations all across the coun-
try.
Most of Yolanda’s fans know that she was once a school-
teacher; less known is the fact that she earned her college
degree in Radio/Television Broadcasting. Joined by her dis-
tinguished co-hosts, the hilarious Marcus Wiley, and
insightful Anthony Valary, Yolanda’s show is all about wak-
ing up in the sandbox every morning and having F-U-N!
“We have a great morning show,” Yolanda says, beaming.
“It’s not a gospel show or an inspirational show, but a ver-
satile program. I wanted to create a clean, alternative morn-
ing show for people of faith.
Faith, Love, Forgiveness, Protection and Praise! These
are just five of the ten gifts explored in Yolanda Adams new
power-filled inaugural book, “Points of Power.” Inspired by
the Points of Power segment from her morning show,
Yolanda reveals her own personal experiences to show how
the Bible will enlighten readers and provide them with
insight and understanding to respond positively to life’s
challenges. “Points of Power” provides the tools, the wis-
dom and spiritual guidance for living a praise-filled, prayer-
ful, and joyful life.
Here, she talks about her life and career, and about host-
ing Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound,” the country’s most
prestigious gospel music celebration and competition. Now,
in its fifth year of celebrating the community and the power
of gospel music, “How Sweet the Sound’s” national finale
will be staged in New York on November 4th at the Bar-
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Kam Williams: Hi Yolanda, I’m honored to have this
opportunity to speak with you.
Yolanda Adams: It’s great to talk to you, Kam.
KW: What interested you in How Sweet the Sound?
YA: First of all, it gave me an opportunity to spend time
with my great friends Donald Lawrence, CeCe Winans,
Erica Campbell, Fred Hammond and Hezekiah Walker.
Whenever we can hang out, it’s wonderful. Unless we’re on
tour together, we usually don’t have a lot of opportunities to
see each other, other than at something special like award
shows. So, I was excited to do this.
KW: What’s it been like judging How Sweet the Sound?
Is it similar to the job you do on BET’s Sunday Best?
YA: No, I actually co-hosted with Donald this year. So, I
didn’t have to face the difficult challenge of judging these
great choirs.
KW: Do you care to share which choir you think is going
to win?
YA: The crazy part is that the finalists are the top choirs
from all of the cities that we chose. So, there are no duds
left in this selection of choirs. These really are just the
cream of the crop, the best choirs in the U.S.
KW: How is picking the best Gospel group different from
picking the best singer from a show like American Idol or
You have to understand that
everyone has a heart, and
when it hits, the emotion is
there.
The Voice?
YA: The only difference is whether you can feel the heart
of the song, the heart of what they’re trying to convey. You
still have to be professional. The choir’s moves still have to
in sync. So, you’re looking at the same criteria you’d find
on American Idol or Sunday Best.
KW: I told my readers I’d be interviewing you, so I’m
going to mix-in their questions with some of my own. Larry
Greenberg says, I just listened to “Victory” and I was truly
blown away and inspired. Do you mind if I listen to it every
time I start a new project?
YA: Not at all. Thank you so much, Larry. I appreciate it.
[Laughs]
KW: Harriet Pakula-Teweles asks: Which of your songs
has the most personal meaning for you?
YA: That’s like asking: Which of your children is the
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Yolanda Adams
most precious? When I write a song, it comes from the heart
and is based on a specific experience. You can’t really say
that one experience is greater than another, because all of
your experiences take you through life on this journey.
KW: Harriet also asks: Which one do you think has the
biggest emotional impact on your audience?
YA: Wow! I have no idea. Some days it may be “Just a
Prayer Away.” Some audiences want “Victory,” like Larry.
Others want “The Battle Is the Lord’s.” I have so many
songs that have impacted people in different ways. “Fragile
Heart” is one that really took off years ago in South Africa
when I had 20,000 people singing along with me.
KW: Finally, Harriet asks: Do you ever feel that the spiri-
tual essence of a Gospel song’s message is transformed
when you sing in a secular arena instead of a church?
YA: No. No. Unh-uh. The message is still the same. The
delivery is still the same. You have to understand that every-
one has a heart, and when it hits, the emotion is there.
KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier says: You have a great
voice. Have you ever sung in French?
YA: Thank you very much. No, I haven’t, but we are def-
initely looking at doing an album in French, and another
one in Spanish.
KW: Patricia would also like to know if you are interest-
ed in writing your autobiography.
YA: Nah, not yet. I don’t think it’s time yet. I still have a
few more things I want to accomplish first. Maybe in anoth-
er ten years.
KW: Lastly, Patricia’s says: You served as spokesperson
for Operation Rebound, a program that addressed the con-
cern of inner-city schoolchildren. Many young people want
See YOLANDA on page 6
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S EATTLE 2012
If you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
Thursday October 25
ROB KETCHERSIDE GIVES VISUAL PRESENTATION
ABOUT CAPITOL HILL HISTORY. Ketcherside will
illustrate how the Capitol Hill neighborhood has
changed by super imposing details from
modern-day photographs onto historical
photographs. This event is free and open to the
public 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Capitol Hill Branch
Library, 425 Harvard Ave. E.
Friday October 26
SOUTHWEST HALLOWEEN CARNIVALS. Join us in a
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner October 24, 2012
family night of Spooktacular fun! This year we
have added new games, treats and prizes. Find
the closest carnival to you! Delridge Community
Center, 6:30 – 8 p.m. 4501 Delridge Way SW.
Hiawatha Community Center, 6– 8 p.m. 2700
California Ave. SW. South Park Community Center,
6:30 – 8 p.m. 8319 8th Ave. S. and Highpoint
Community Center, 6 – 8 p.m. 6920 34th Ave.
SW.
Saturday October 27
VOLUNTEERS & PARTNERS HELP CITY CELEBRATES
FIRST GREEN KENT DAY. Hundreds of volunteer’s,
Kent’s Mayor and others will join the Green Kent
Partnership at the First Annual Green Kent Day, a
day of volunteer restoration events to celebrate
the partnerships great success. If you would like
to join the fun and volunteer please register at
www.greenkent.org or call 253-856-5110. 9 a.m.
– noon. Two locations available Morrill Meadows
park, 10600SE 248th St. Green River Natural
Resource Area, 21250 Russell Rd. S. Kent, WA.
Wednesday October 31
MAGNOLIA LI’L SPOOKY THINGS! Little ones with
costumes will be at the party. We will serve treats;
decorate pumpkins, play games and much
more. 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Magnolia Community
Center, 35th Ave. W.
Friday – Sunday November 2 – 4
22ND ANNUAL CULTURAL CROSSROADS: A
CELEBRATION OF OUR COMMUNITY’S CULTURAL
RICHES. The festival will feature some of the
area’s best ethnic entertainment on two stages,
an international bazaar and exhibits. Admission is
free. Festival hours Friday 5 – 10 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
15600 NE 8th . Bellevue, WA
Saturday November 3
WHERE THE JOBS ARE! The goal of this event is to
connect job seekers who want to define their
choices with employees who are seeking
qualified workers in the greater Seattle area. The
event is free and adults over 40 and Veterans
are encouraged to attend. 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
South Seattle Community College, Olympic
Auditorium, 6000 16th Ave. SW.