Damon Little

Last updated
Damon Little
Birth nameDamon Little
Born Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, composer, musician, producer
Years active1990–present
Labels
  • Little World Music
  • Little Fats Music
Website damonlittleworld.com

Damon Little is an American singer, songwriter, producer, record label executive, and national spokesperson for the UOAA (United Ostomy Association of America). [1] [2] In 2021, his single, "Stand Up" charted at #1 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart, and subsequent single "No Stressin" (featuring Angie Stone) reached #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart in 2024. [3] He has performed on BET and has shared the stage with Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Hezekiah Walker, Mary J. Blige, and Dionne Warwick, among others. [4] [5]

Contents

Early life

Damon Little was born in Baltimore, Maryland and spent part of his childhood in Pensacola, Florida. His first studio recording was with his uncle, Clarence Fountain, a founding member of the band The Blind Boys of Alabama. [6] Little suffered from Ostomy for most of his youth until a reversal at age thirteen and is now a national spokesperson for UOAA (United Ostomy Associations of America). [2]

Career

Little began writing music and performing as, "Damon Little and the Sons of Power," in 1990. [7] They released one album titled, "I've Been Changed." In 2001, Little released an album as a featured artist with Nu Beginning titled, "You Can't Straddle the Fence," whose title track was included on the compilation album, "Spirit Rising Vol. 1", which included Destiny's Child and Deniece Williams, among others. [8] [9] [10]

In 2002, Little wrote and produced the song, "I May Not Can See" on the Blind Boys of Alabama's, "Higher Ground," album. [11] [12] In 2003, NU BEGINNING (featuring Little) released the album, "Do Right," whose title track charted at #7 on Billboard's Hot Gospel Songs chart in 2005. [13] [3]

In 2008, he performed on Radio One's, "One Love Gospel Cruise", with Patti LaBelle, Kirk Franklin, and Hezekiah Walker, among others. [14] He has also shared the stage with artists such as Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, Blondie, and Lisa Page Brooks. [5] [15] [16] [17]

In 2023, he won a BMI "Trailblazer of Gospel Music Award" for "Stand Up" being of the one most performed songs on digital streaming services in 2023. [18] In 2024, Little was ranked at #8 on Billboard's Top 10 Gospel Songwriters in 2024. [19]

Discography

YearWork
Hot Gospel Songs Gospel Airplay Ref
2005"Do Right"7 [3]
2015"Because of You"9 [3]
2017"I Won't Be Defeated"2 [20]
2019"Be Alright"15 [21]
2021"Stand Up"1 [20]
2024"No Stressing" (featuring Angie Stone)1 [20]

Personal life

Little suffered from Ostomy for most of his youth until a reversal at age thirteen. He is now a national spokesperson for UOAA (United Ostomy Associations of America). [2] In 2013, he underwent open heart bypass surgery. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dionne Warwick</span> American singer (born 1940)

Marie Dionne Warwick ( dee-ONWOR-wik; is an American singer, actress, and television host. During her career, Warwick has won many awards, including six Grammy Awards. She has been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame. In 2019, Warwick won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Three of her songs have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Franklin</span> American gospel musician

Kirk Dewayne Franklin is an American gospel singer, choir director, record producer and rapper. He is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel and Christian R&B ensembles such as The Family, God's Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC). One of the best-selling gospel music artists, his accolades include 20 Grammy Awards. Variety dubbed Franklin as a "Reigning King of Urban Gospel", and is one of the inaugural inductees into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cissy Houston</span> American singer and mother of Whitney Houston (1933–2024)

Emily Drinkard, known professionally as Cissy Houston, was an American soul and gospel singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Houston began singing with three of her siblings in the family gospel group, The Drinkard Singers. By the early 1960s, Houston began a career as a session vocalist for several secular musicians in the rhythm and blues, soul, rock and roll, pop and rock genres. After initially joining her nieces' group the Gospelaires for a session with Ronnie Hawkins in 1961, Houston gradually took control of the group, which revamped into "The Group" with Houston, niece Sylvia Shemwell, Myrna Smith and teenager Estelle Brown. She eventually founded the girl group The Sweet Inspirations with Shemwell, Smith and Brown in 1967 and that year signed a contract with Atlantic Records where, with Houston as lead singer, they would record four albums before Houston departed for a solo career in 1970. Her best known solo singles include the top 20 R&B chart single, "I'll Be There" and the top 5 dance single, "Think It Over". Her solo career culminated with two Grammy Award wins, both in the Traditional Gospel Album category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankie Beverly</span> American singer (1946–2024)

Howard Stanley Beverly, known as Frankie Beverly, was an American singer, songwriter, and producer known primarily for his recordings with the soul and funk band Maze. He formed Maze, originally called Raw Soul, in his hometown of Philadelphia in 1970. After moving to San Francisco and an introduction to Marvin Gaye, Maze later released nine Gold albums and created a large and devoted following.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sweet Inspirations</span> American R&B vocal group

The Sweet Inspirations are an American R&B girl group from Newark, New Jersey, founded by Cissy Houston, mostly known for their work as backup singers on studio recordings for other R&B and rock artists but also a Grammy-nominated recording act in their own right.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'</span> 1964 single by The Righteous Brothers

"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" is a song by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, first recorded in 1964 by the American vocal duo the Righteous Brothers. This version, produced by Spector, is cited by some music critics as the ultimate expression and illustration of his Wall of Sound recording technique. The record was a critical and commercial success on its release, reaching number one in early February 1965 in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The single ranked No. 5 in Billboard's year-end Top 100 of 1965 Hot 100 hits – based on combined airplay and sales, and not including three charted weeks in December 1964 – and has entered the UK Top Ten on three occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Say a Little Prayer</span> 1967 song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David

"I Say a Little Prayer" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick, originally peaking at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in December 1967. On the R&B Singles chart it peaked at number eight. The following year, it was a top ten hit for Aretha Franklin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbreaker (Dionne Warwick song)</span> 1982 single by Dionne Warwick

"Heartbreaker" is a song performed by American singer Dionne Warwick. It was written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees for her 1982 studio album of the same name, while production was helmed by Barry Gibb, Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson under their production moniker Gibb-Galuten-Richardson. Barry Gibb's backing vocal is heard on the chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamela Mann</span> American gospel singer and actress

Tamela Jean Mann is an American gospel singer and actress. She began her career as a singer with the gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family. Mann was a primary vocalist on several tracks while with Franklin's group, including "Now Behold the Lamb", and "Lean on Me", the latter of which also included Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, R Kelly and Bono. She began her solo career by releasing the albums Gotta Keep Movin (2005), and The Master Plan (2009).

Jordan "Jerry" Ragovoy was an American songwriter and record producer.

God's Property was a gospel choir known for its collaborations with Kirk Franklin, and other recording artists.

"By the Time I Get to Phoenix" is a song written by Jimmy Webb. Originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965, it was reinterpreted by American country music singer Glen Campbell on his album of the same name. Released on Capitol Records in 1967, Campbell's version topped RPM's Canada Country Tracks, reached number two on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, and won two awards at the 10th Annual Grammys. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) named it the third most performed song from 1940 to 1990. The song was ranked number 20 on BMI's Top 100 Songs of the Century. Frank Sinatra called it "the greatest torch song ever written." It was No. 450 on Rolling Stone magazine's Top 500 Songs of All Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dionne Warwick discography</span>

Dionne Warwick is an American singer. She has charted 69 times on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, making her the second-most charted female vocalist during the rock era (1955–2010), after Aretha Franklin. Warwick has sold over 100 million records worldwide. She has charted 18 songs in the top 20 of the US Hot 100 and charted several more hits inside the top 40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk Franklin discography</span>

This is the discography of American gospel artist Kirk Franklin. In total, Franklin has won 20 Grammy Awards, 13 Dove Awards and 28 Stellar Awards. Franklin is the best-selling contemporary gospel artist of the SoundScan era and one of the best-selling gospel artists of all-time, with total sales exceeding 15 million, 14.6 of which are certified by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kierra Sheard</span> Musical artist

Kierra Valencia "Kiki" Sheard-Kelly is an American gospel singer and evangelist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark-Sheard and COGIC Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard and the granddaughter of gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark. After appearing on her mother's and aunt's albums, Sheard debuted to the music scene with the release of her debut album I Owe You in 2004. Her hit single "You Don't Know" was inspired by her mother almost losing her life in 2001 to a fatal blood clot. Sheard portrayed her mother in the hit Lifetime movie, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel.

Damon William Elliott is an American record producer, songwriter and composer. Throughout his career he has worked with various artists spanning across hip hop, R&B, pop, pop rock, gospel, reggae and country. He also produced the Academy Award-nominated song "Applause" from the 2022 film Tell It Like a Woman. Elliott is the son of Dionne Warwick and Bill Elliott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Eldredge</span> American country singer-songwriter and producer (born 1986)

Brett Ryan Eldredge is an American country music singer, songwriter and record producer. Eldredge has had five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, three of which came from his debut album, Bring You Back: "Don't Ya", "Beat of the Music", and "Mean to Me".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay with Me (Sam Smith song)</span> 2014 single by Sam Smith

"Stay with Me" is a song by English singer Sam Smith from their debut studio album In the Lonely Hour (2014). It was released in the United States on 14 April 2014 and in the United Kingdom on 18 May 2014. "Stay with Me" is a gospel-inspired ballad that details the protagonist pleading with their one-night stand not to leave them. The song was written by Smith, James Napier, and William Phillips, with Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne later receiving co-writer credits due to the song's noted melodic similarity to Petty's single "I Won't Back Down".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lean on Me (Kirk Franklin song)</span> 1998 single by Kirk Franklin featuring Mary J. Blige, Bono, R. Kelly, Crystal Lewis & The Family

"Lean on Me" is a song by American gospel artist Kirk Franklin. Released in 1998, the song greatly helped ascend Kirk Franklin's album The Nu Nation Project. The Nu Nation Project went on to top the Billboard Contemporary Christian Albums chart for 23 weeks and the Billboard Gospel Albums chart for 49 weeks, and brought Franklin his third Grammy.

"Kingdom" is a song performed by American contemporary worship collective Maverick City Music and American gospel musician Kirk Franklin, which features vocals from Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore. The song was released on May 20, 2022, as a promotional single from their collaborative live album, Kingdom Book One (2022). The song was written by Chandler Moore, Jacob Poole, Jonathan Jay, and Kirk Franklin.

References

  1. ↑ "Music Video Premiere: Damon Little's Billboard Gospel Airplay Top 5 Song, "Stand Up"". WMBM. October 22, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Singer's Ostomy Past Leads Him to Partner with UOAA". Billboard. July 30, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Maverick City Music Tops Christian Airplay, Damon Little Leads Gospel Airplay Chart by Jim Asker". Billboard. December 22, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  4. ↑ "DOTTIE PEOPLES PERFORMS ON BET'S "BOBBY JONES GOSPEL" W/ DAMON LITTLE, TREY HOWARD AND MORE". U Gospel. February 23, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Dionne Warwick, Mary J. Blige, Chloé Bailey & More to Be Saluted at 2024 Urban One Honors by Paul Grein". Billboard. January 9, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ ""On Assignment-Spotlight Artist: Damon Little" by Missey Bailey". Hot 105 FM. December 17, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  7. ↑ ""Concert to benefit Holly Center" The Daily Times, Page 8, November 17, 1990
  8. ↑ "Spirit Rising Vol. 1". Amazon Music. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  9. ↑ "You Can't Straddle the Fence - Nu Beginning featuring Damon Little". Apple. July 23, 2001. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Spirit Rising Vol. 1" The Charlotte Observer, Page 58, October 27, 2003
  11. ↑ "DAMON LITTLE TO PREMIERE MUSIC VIDEO FOR BILLBOARD TOP 25 HIT SONG "STAND UP"". U Gospel. May 27, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  12. ↑ "The Blind Boys Of Alabama – Higher Ground". Discogs. May 2, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Album "Do Right" with NU BEGINNINGS". Amazon. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  14. ↑ "2008 Radio One - One Love Gospel Cruise". Detroit Gospel. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  15. ↑ "BMI Annapolis Songwriter's Festival". Jambase. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Kirk Franklin and More Hit the Stage at the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage". Black America Web. May 2, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Stone Soul Picnic 2010- Gospel Recap". Radio One Baltimore. August 16, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  18. ↑ "BMI Trailblazer of Gospel Music Awards". BMI. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Billboard's Top Gospel Songwriters". Billboard. March 9, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  20. 1 2 3 "Cody Carnes Scores His First Christian AC Airplay No. 1 With 'Firm Foundation' - Plus, Damon Little's "No Stressing," featuring Angie Stone, leads Gospel Airplay by Jim Asker". Billboard 2. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Billboard Gospel Airplay". Billboard Gospel Airplay. July 20, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Damon Little Celebrates His Birthday After Successful Open Heart Surgery!". Praise Richmond. April 30, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.