Marvin Winans Jr

Early years

Born to Marvin L. Winans Sr., known as the leader of the famed gospel cross over group "The Winans", and songstress and gospel great Vickie Winans, on December 28, 1979, Marvin began capturing the hearts of audiences at the early age of 5. Growing up, Marvin inherited musical prowess, and as a first-hand witness, he watched his family grow from small beginnings to international success. Marvin's half brother Mario is also in the music industry and made a big splash on the musical scene as a Bad Boy recording artist in 2004 with his hit single "I Don't Want to Know".

Musical career

Marvin's first passion ironically, was not music. He first desired to follow in the footsteps of his childhood hero and basketball great, Isiah Thomas. However, his passion for music soon overtook any desires to play professional basketball. Marvin's desire to write songs and produce music grew strong as he watched his older brother, Mario, develop his production skills in the basement of their home. He also studied his father when he used the living room piano to write songs that later became world-renowned. Inevitably, the writing bug also bit Marvin and at the age of 10 with his first attempt at songwriting, entitled, "People", he stumbled into the family business!

At the age of 16, Marvin took his love for music to another level, forming his first ever singing group, "One Way", with his cousin Michael Winans Jr. and friends, Karl Jackson and Lance Bennett. "One Way" performed their songs, "Never Leave Your Side" and "Stay with Me Lord", at their first ever-appearance on New Year's Eve, 1996, at Perfecting Church, in Detroit, MI, where Marvin's father is the pastor.

"One Way" would only be a stepping-stone, as Marvin and Michael would join their cousins Carvin Jr. and Juan to form the third generation of Winans professional recording artists, "Winans Phase 2". At the age of 18, Marvin along with his three cousins, Carvin, Michael and Juan signed a major recording deal with Myrrh/Epic Records. The group achieved tremendous success with their debut album entitled "We Got Next", capturing fans internationally! Marvin and the Grammy-nominated group, debuted at #1 on Gospel Billboard charts, sold over 250,000 records and performed in front of crowds as large as 50,000, including shows in the US and Europe (Germany, Holland, London, and Amsterdam). They also performed and were featured on several national television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Donnie & Marie, and the Queen Latifah show. Known to their fans as "Phase 2", Marvin, Carvin, Juan and Mike joined their entire family for a spectacular Winans Family Tour in 2002, touring 40 US cities! What Marvin had accomplished thus far was only the beginning.

Marvin recently married to Tennessee State University graduate Monique Johnson and lives with his wife in Tampa, Florida.