Carvin Winans is listed in the credits for the following albums:
| Year | Artist | Album | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Keith Green | Songs for the Shepherd | Background Vocals |
| 1984 | Scott Smith | Face to Face | Background Vocals |
| 1985 | The Winans | Let My People Go | Co-Producer, Songwriter, Vocals |
| 1987 | Vickie Winans | Be Encouraged | Background Vocals |
| 1987 | The Winans | Decisions | Co-Producer, Songwriter, Vocals |
| 1993 | The Winans | All Out | Producer, Songwriter, Lead and Background Vocals |
| 1995 | The Winans | Heart & Soul | Songwriter, Lead and Background Vocals |
Following in the footsteps of his loving parents, who were accomplished singers, Carvin began singing at the tender age of four. The third of ten extremely talented children and a twin to his beloved brother Marvin, Carvin quickly showed an extraordinary gift for writing and singing. His love for GOD transcended in the beautiful songs that he wrote.
Happily married to his soulmate Chérie Winans, and a devoted and loving father of six children (Carvin Jr, Juan, Deborah Joy, Ian, Shanniah, Laylah), and a native of Detroit, Carvin made his professional debut as a member of The Testimonial Singers in 1974 along with Howard Smith and his brothers Ronald and Marvin with their album “Love Covers” on Jonah Records which his Father founded.
He first debuted with his brothers on Light Records with the release of Introducing The Winans, which was nominated for a Grammy. Then, they followed up with the release of Long Time Coming, which was also nominated for a Grammy.
In 1985, Carvin was recognized with the most prestigious accolade in the industry when he won a Grammy Award for the album Tomorrow, for which he wrote the title track. He and the brothers signed with Quincy Jones at Qwest Records in 1986, where they recorded six albums, four of which were Grammy Award winners, including Live at Carnegie Hall and Return, which was certified gold. Carvin has been nominated for a Grammy a total of 11 times and has won 5 in total!
Along with the Grammys, he received several NAACP Image, Soul Train, Dove, and Stellar awards as a member of the Winans. Carvin has written songs for the incomparable Whitney Houston (Love Is) which was released in November 2024 worldwide and was first recorded by Whitney back in 1990 and held in the Sony Music vault, Regina Belle (Make It Like It Was), which held the #1 R&B single spot on the Billboard chart and also won him a Gold Record (To this day it is considered one of the greatest R&B songs of all time on Billboard), Peabo Bryson (Life Goes On) reached Billboard Top 100 in 1991, Cece Winans (All In Your Name), Winans Phase II (Too Much Heaven), Vanessa Bell Armstrong (Here’s to you), Marvin Winans (My Story), Mom & Pop Winans (I Still Have You).
Carvin sang background vocals on “Man in the Mirror,” produced by the legendary Quincy Jones and iconic Michael Jackson. He sang with Kenny Loggins on “Imaginary Life” and with Michael McDonald on “Love Has No Color”.
Carvin also performed on The Winans' Real Meaning of Christmas show, which aired in 1992 and 1993. He was the host and Executive Producer in 2000 of All Access with Carvin Winans, which aired for two seasons on WDIV TV, featuring numerous celebrity guests, including Debbie Allen, Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, and Brian McKnight, among others.
In 2002, Carvin performed on a sold-out world tour with the Winans family in front of millions of fans, which closed out in Detroit at the Fox Theatre.
In October 2007, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee, along with his brothers.
On June 18, 2008, Carvin received the President’s Merit Award from the Recording Academy in recognition of his extraordinary gifts as a passionate singer, performer, expressive communicator, and pioneer of contemporary gospel music.
After the tragic loss of his beloved friend Whitney Houston (The Voice), Carvin sang his song “Tomorrow” at her funeral, which then became the #1 Inspirational Song on iTunes. A song which Whitney truly loved and sang on stage.
In August 2013, Carvin reemerged on the music scene and formed a new group with his brothers, Marvin and Bebe, entitled the 3 Winans Brothers. They released their first single, “If God Be for Us.” This single was debuted at the 50th Anniversary March on Washington in Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, in front of millions of viewers. The 3 Winans Brothers album was released in 2014 and received a positive reception. Following the release, they received an NAACP award.
In addition to the legendary Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston, Carvin has had the honor of working with the incomparable Stevie Wonder and amazing producers, Jam & Lewis, Tommy Sims, Sean Garrett, and Jackie's Boy.
Winans, C. (2025). About Carvin. https://www.carvinwinans.com/about
