Vanessa Bell Armstrong

] "Always," a Marvin Winans composition that anchors the play, also appears on Armstrong's 1987 self-titled album. Her Broadway role lead to a cameo appearance in the Oprah Winfrey TV special "The Women of Brewster Place". Armstrong was also chosen to record the theme to the popular 80's NBC sitcom "Amen".

Vanessa Bell Armstrong took a 3 year self-imposed hiatus from recording before releasing "A Brand New Day" under a new deal with Tommy Boy Gospel in 2001. [cite web|url=http://www.gospelcity.com/dynamic/music-articles/reviews/138|date=December 28, 2001|publisher=GospelCity.com|title=Vanessa Bell Armstrong - A Brand New Day] Vanessa was presented with a lifetime achievement award during 2004's Gospel Superfest. [cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20040123/ai_n9618881|title=What are you looking at?|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|date=January 23, 2004|author=Rosenthal, Phil]

Armstrong's 2007 album, "Walking Miracle", is her first release in 6 years, and blends traditional gospel fare like "So Good To Me" (produced by Smokie Norful) with contemporary songs like "Til The Victory's Won" (produced by Fred Jerkins III) and the title track (produced by Rodney Jerkins). The latter song was inspired by Armstrong's son who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. cite web|url=http://www.emigospel.com/artist/artist_news_story.aspx?aid=440631&iid=502701&tid=227|title=Vanessa Bell Armstrong EMI Gospel Press Release]

Discography

Albums

Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = Peace Be Still
Other info =
from Album =
Released = 1983
Format = LP/CS
Label = Onyx/Muscle Shoals Sound
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = Chosen
Other info = ONYXD3825
from Album =
Released = 1984
Format = LP/CS/CD
Label = Onyx/Muscle Shoals Sound
Writer =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = Following Jesus
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from Album =
Released = 1986
Format = LP/CS
Label = Muscle Shoals Sound
Writer =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Other info =
from Album =
Released = 1987
Format = LP/CS/CD
Label = Jive
Writer =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = Wonderful One
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from Album =
Released = 1988
Format = LP/CS/CD
Label = Jive
Writer =
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Director =
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Sales =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = The Truth About Christmas
Other info =
from Album =
Released = 1990
Format = LP/CS/CD
Label = Jive
Writer =
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Director =
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Bonus tracks =
Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = Something On The Inside
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from Album =
Released = 1993
Format = LP/CS/CD
Label = Jive
Writer =
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Director =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = The Secret Is Out
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from Album =
Released = 1995
Format = CS/CD
Label = Verity
Writer =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Live
Name =
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from Album =
Released = 1998
Format = CS/CD
Label = Verity
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = A Brand New Day
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from Album =
Released = 2001
Format = CD
Label = Tommy Boy
Writer =
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Director =
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Certification = [ cite web|url=http://www.gospelflava.com/reviews/vanessabellarmstrong.html|title=A Brand New Day Album Review|author=North, Stan|date=November 6, 2001|publisher=GospelFlava.com]
Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Studio
Name = Walking Miracle
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from Album =
Released = 2007
Format = CD
Label = EMI Gospel
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Compilations

Infobox Discography
Type = Compilation
Name = Greatest Hits
Other info =
from Album =
Released = 1990
Format = CD
Label = Muscle Shoals Sound Gospel
Writer =
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Director =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Compilation
Name = The Best of Vanessa Bell Armstrong
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from Album =
Released = 1999
Format = CD
Label = Verity
Writer =
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Director =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Compilation
Name = Sing To Glory
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from Album =
Released = 2005
Format = CD
Label = Sony BMG Special Markets
Writer =
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Director =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Compilation
Name = Praise & Worship
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from Album =
Released = 2006
Format = CD
Label = Verity/Legacy
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ingles

Infobox Discography
Type = Single
Name = You Bring Out The Best In Me b/w Always
Other info =
from Album = Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Released = 1987
Format = 7"
Label = Jive
Writer =
Producer =
Director =
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Sales =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Single
Name = Pressing On b/w Don't Turn Your Back
Other info =
from Album = Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Released =
Format = 7"/12"
Label = Jive
Writer =
Producer = Timmy Allen
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Single
Name = Something Inside So Strong
Other info =
from Album = Wonderful One
Released = 1988
Format = 7"/12"/CD
Label = Jive
Writer =
Producer =
Director =
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Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Single
Name = I'm Coming Back
Other info =
from Album = Wonderful One
Released = 1989
Format = 12"
Label = Jive
Writer =
Producer =
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Single
Name = Something On The Inside
Other info =
from Album = Something On The Inside
Released = 1993
Format = CS/CD
Label = Jive
Writer =
Producer = John P. Kee
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles = Infobox Discography
Type = Single
Name = So Good To Me
Other info =
from Album = Walking Miracle
Released = 2006
Format = CD/Digital Download
Label = EMI Gospel
Writer =
Producer = Smokie Norful
Director =
Chart position=
Sales =
Certification =
Tracks =
Bonus tracks =
Singles =

Other works and collaborations

Armstrong recorded a stand out duet "Choose Ye" with gospel act The Winans on their major label debut "Let My People Go" for Qwest Records. She also sang the theme song for the 1980s NBC sitcom "Amen".

Armstrong was a frequent musical guest of the early projects of John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir, and lent her voice to several classics that include "We Walk By Faith", and "We Glorify".

Awards & Honors

;Grammy Nominations [cite web|url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-search,0,7169155.htmlstory?searchtype=all&query=vanessa+bell+armstrong|title=Vanessa Bell Armstrong Award Nominations|publisher=The Envelope (Los Angeles Times)]
* Best Soul Gospel Performance - Female for "Peace Be Still" (1983)
* Best Soul Gospel Performance - Female for "Chosen" (1985)
* Best Soul Gospel Performance - Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus for "Choose Ye" (1986)
* Best Soul Gospel Performance - Female for "Pressing On" (1988)

Personal life

She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. [cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20031012/ai_n10915015/pg_3|title=For black sororities|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=October 12, 2003|author=Roberts, Roxanne]

Season Six Top 3 American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle used to sing backup for Vanessa Bell Armstrong.

References

;Other References
* [http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Vanessa%20Bell%20Armstrong.html Brief Biography at Soulwalking.co.uk]

External links

*amg|id=11:kxd7yl1jxpmb~T0|label=Vanessa Bell Armstrong
* [http://www.myspace.com/139018994 Official MySpace Page]
* [http://www.emigospel.com/artist/artist_default.aspx?aid=440631 Official Vanessa Bell Armstrong site on EMI Gospel]
* [http://www.j-notes.com/archives/2005/05/06/flashback_friday_vanessa_bell.php Flashback Friday - Vanessa Bell Armstrong - Chosen]