Get to Know Marvin Winans

Martin Lawrence Winans was born March 5, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan. He and his fraternal twin brother, Carvin (who was born first), were the third and fourth children born to David "Pop" Winans, Sr. and Delores "Mom" Winans.

Pastor Winans Quote

"Respect is a great thing that's missing in music today. Respect for the music itself. Respect for artistry. It's changed in respect for the audience. You listen to rappers and the likes and they have no respect. They feel as if people have to buy their music and that they have to go to their concerts. If stuff's not right, they blame everyone but themselves."

The Music

Born to musical parents, Mom and Pop Winans, Marvin Winans was the fourth of ten children. As a part of what is called "the First Family of contemporary Black gospel," he started singing at the age of 4. As Marvin got older, he sang with siblings Ronald, Carvin, and Michael in the early 1970s as The Testimonial Singers. In 1975, they changed their name to The Winans. Discovered by Andrae Crouch, The Winans were signed to Light Records and they released their first album in 1981.

The Ministry

At the age of 12, Marvin Winans came to know Christ during a 150-day revival conducted by Mother Estella Boyd. A mere six years later, on December 18, 1976, he answered the call to ministry and preached his first sermon at Shalom Temple.

Mixing his gift of preaching with his music, for years he would preach in the hotel rooms that he and his brothers were staying in as they traveled for concerts. Eventually, he started a church in the basement of his home with seven people who committed themselves to follow him as he followed Jesus. Moving out of his basement was next and on May 27, 1989, Perfecting Church in Detroit, Michigan held its first official service.

Marvin Winans Discography

As a solo artist

• Alone but Not Alone, 2007
• The Songs of Marvin Winans, 2006

With the Perfected Praise Choir

• Friends, 2001
• Introducing Perfected Praise, 1992

With The Winans

• The Definitive Original Greatest Hits, 2005
• Christmas: Our Gifts to You, 2000
• Heart & Soul, 1995
• All Out, 1993
• Return, 1990
• Live at Carnegie Hall, 1988
• Decisions, 1987
• Let My People Go, 1985
• Long Time Comin', 1985
• Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, 1984
• Introducing the Winans, 1981

Marvin Winans Starter Songs

• "Just Don't Wanna Know" - Marvin Winans 
• "Joy" - Marvin Winans 
• "I'm Over It Now" - Marvin Winans 
• "Everyday The Same" - The Winans
• "Heaven Belongs To You" - The Winans 
• "The Lord is With Me" - Marvin Winans f/ Adrian "Agee" Smith
• "Love Will Never Die" - The Winans 
• "Right, Left In A Wrong World" - The Winans 
• "If My People" - Marvin Winans f/ Michon Young & Renee Thomas 
• "Bring Back The Days Of Yea & Nea" - Marvin Winans

Dove Awards

• Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year - 1988, 1986
• Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year - 1991

GRAMMY Awards

• Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album - 1993
• Best Gospel Performance By A Duo Or Group, Choir Or Chorus - 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985
• Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male - 1985

Marvin Winans Trivia

• Pastor Winans married Vickie Bowman in 1978. Vickie had one son, Mario (Skeeter) from her marriage to Bishop Ronald Brown. Marvin and Vickie had two sons (Marvin Jr. (Coconut) and Josiah Winans.) The couple divorced in 1995.
• The Winans were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
• Marvin Winans has appeared in two movies (Mama I Want to Sing [2011] and I Can Do Bad All by Myself [2009]) as well as on the hit TV series, Tyler Perry's House of Payne [2008].
• Pastor Winans delivered the eulogy at Whitney Houston's funeral and invited his siblings and family members to sing "Tomorrow;" a song that Whitney used to sing early in her career that became one of her favorites.
• The Winans sang background vocals on several big-name mainstream projects such as Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," Stevie Wonder's "Treat Myself" and Ladysmith Black Mambazo's "Leaning on the Everlasting/Two Worlds One Heart."
• As a solo artist, Marvin Winans has been a guest vocalist on projects by Israel & New Breed, Andrae Crouch, Helen Baylor, Donnie McClurkin, and Vickie Winans.