Legendary singer GLORIA GAYNOR received the award for Best Roots Gospel Album at the 62nd Annual GRAMMY®️ Awards 2020 on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.
“I am ecstatic and truly grateful to God for gifts and favor, to the Academy for this recognition and honor and to the Gaithers, Primary Wave and ‘Team Gaynor’ for their love, support, and expertise,” said Gaynor.
Nominated for two GRAMMYS this year (she received a nomination for Best Gospel Performance / Song for “Talkin’ ‘Bout Jesus“), Gaynor’s new album Testimony was a part of Music’s Biggest Night® on January 26th on a night that also marked the 40th anniversary of her first GRAMMY win for “Best Disco Recording” for global anthem, “I Will Survive.”
Gaynor’s week preceding the GRAMMYS has been a busy one which found her addressing and performing at GRAMMY Museum Experience® at the Prudential Center (Newark, NJ) and co-headlining the GRAMMY CELEBRATION®, the Recording Academy®’s official after-party at the Los Angeles Convention Center, immediately following Music’s Biggest Night, the GRAMMY Awards.
Comprised of 10 stunning tracks, Testimony showcases a new side of Gaynor’s musicianship with a combination of carefully chosen classic hymns and self-penned songs, including a stirring cover of Bob Dylan’s “Man of Peace.” After decades spent as an international music icon, Testimony celebrates Gaynor’s faith, which has been an integral part of her journey both personally and professionally. Gaynor finally made the record of her dreams and moved past “surviving” into “thriving.” The single “Back on Top” is the natural progression and virtual sequel to “I Will Survive.”
Gaynor recorded for the first time in Nashville at the legendary former RCA Studio A (Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson) with GRAMMY-winning producers Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Mandisa, Blake Shelton) and Reid Shippen (Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney). Gaynor also assembled a powerhouse collaborative for Testimony that includes special guests Yolanda Adams, Jason Crabb, Mike Farris, and Bart Millard (MercyMe), as well as powerful backup vocals from Latrese Bush, Emoni Wilkins, Melinda Doolittle (American Idol) and Jason Eskridge. The project features a lineup of extraordinarily talented musicians: drummer Daru Jones (Jack White, Talib Kweli), guitarist Drew Ramsey (Robert Randolph, India.Arie, John Legend), keyboardist/B3 organist Shannon Sanders (Robert Randolph, India.Arie, Jonny Lang), pianist/keyboardist Jason Webb (Elvis Presley, Amy Grant) and bassist Willie Weeks (Stevie Nicks, James Taylor, Mark Ronson, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton).
GLORIA GAYNOR has achieved hit songs in each of the past four decades. In the years since winning the only GRAMMY Award ever presented for Best Disco Recording, Gaynor has topped the charts with dance hits such as “I Never Knew” and “I Just Keep Thinking About You.” She’s appeared on Broadway in “Smokey Joe’s Café” as well as on TV series such as “That 70’s Show,” “Ally McBeal” and “The Wayans Bros.” Gaynor has also authored books and the audio version of We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration and the Power of Song was nominated for a 2015 GRAMMY Award for Best Spoken Word Album. She has delivered talks as a motivational speaker and has also been a featured keynote speaker at such prestigious events as SXSW in Austin, TX and the CCU Woman in Philanthropy Leadership Conference in Conway, SC. In March 2016, Israel’s Consulate General presented Gaynor with the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Award. One year later, the Library of Congress honored Gaynor by inducting “I Will Survive” into its registry. Earlier this year Gaynor was invited by American astronaut and national hero Buzz Aldrin to be a part of the Apollo XI 50th Anniversary Celebration and sing the National Anthem. Gaynor accepted her She Rocks Award from the Women’s International Music Network (WiMN) in January 2020.
Testimony is out now on all streaming platforms via Gaither Music, distributed by Capitol Christian Music Group and Universal Music.
