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Biography
Part of a large family from California, US, the two sisters were heavily involved with the church choir, honing their vocal skills through various groups, becoming part of traveling gospel shows, including Michael Matthews' show, "Mama I'm Sorry" in 1995.
Alongside these commitments, the two sisters wrote their own gospel music that had a contemporary twist, gaining a publishing deal following a meeting with producer Warryn Campbell. The duo had two songs featured on movie soundtracks, with "Dance" appearing on "Dr. Doolittle's" soundtrack and "Let Go, Let God" used for the film, "The Prince of Egypt."
Signing to Columbia Records, Mary Mary released their debut album, "Thankful" in 2000. Their first single, "Shackles (Praise You)" became a huge hit, appealing to pop, R&B and gospel fans alike, entering the top ten of the R&B and Pop charts, peaking at number 28 in the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The album was a huge success, appealing to a broad audience and was certified Platinum in the USA, also finding popularity in the European market. The album also received a Grammy Award for 'Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album,' cementing the duo's place in music history.
Mary Mary were able to continue their success with their next album, "Incredible" (2002), which entered the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart. 2008 was the year for their next big hit, "Sound" which debuted at number seven in the American charts, being another crossover success. In between these albums, the duo also recorded a christmas album, which was a popular release in 2006.
Two more albums and two Grammy Award nominations later, Mary Mary cemented their place in popular music, becoming one of the most beloved gospel duos in modern music. Mary Mary have won a total of four Grammy Awards, continuing their success at the 2000 ceremony, winning 'Best Gospel Performance' in 2009 for "Get Up," 'Best Gospel Performance' for "God in Me" in 2010 and in 2013, they received another 'Best Gospel Song' award for "Go Get It."
Live reviews
There’s something oh so endearing about watching family members perform together, the natural cohesion of vocals perfectly intertwined, the in sync performances and the inherent on-stage chemistry- this couldn’t ring truer for gospel infused soul sisters, Mary Mary. Sisters Erica and Tricina Atkins born into a large family of nine siblings and to parents who were a choir director and an evangelical preacher, it’s no wonder that the passion for gospel music was instilled within them from an early age. Between travelling in world choirs, providing backing vocals for several R&B artists and singing on movie soundtracks, a buzz was created around the duo leading to a publishing deal with EMI and eventually signing with Columbia Records, the first gospel act to be signed to the label. Releasing their debut album “Thankful” in 2000, saw them crack into the mainstream with the hit “Shackles (Praise You)”, proving to be a successful crossover with audiences in the pop, gospel and R&B genres. The duo went on to receive many accolades including taking the Grammy in Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album for “Thankful”.
Erica and Tricina are natural born performers, from the moment they step on stage they ooze radiance as they beam from ear to ear. Their passion which surges from within and emitted from their raw and powerful vocals permeates through the room as it touches the hearts of the audience. It’s impossible not to be on your feet through the entire performance, with their infectious energy and perfectly intertwined vocals. Taking the audience on a journey, with up-tempo dancing tracks and slowing down with ballads it’s difficult not to feel something. As long as there is that passion for gospel music within Erica and Tricina, Mary Mary are here to stay.
EvieCriedWolf
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