Vicki Yohe

VY: My cousin produced my first project and he’s a more contemporary type of guy. Every producer I’ve had has been contemporary. It hasn’t necessarily been my first love; Black gospel has always been my first love. But I’ve never been connected with anybody that could take me down that path…until CeCe Winans. I’m the first artist on her record label. She saw me on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and God spoke to her and told her that I was to be the first artist on her record label. It was really an answer to prayer. CeCe said, “Do whatever you want to do.” She knows I love praise and worship; it’s my heart. I realize what worship does to Him; our worship affects Him. It causes Him to smile. So that’s my heart and this album, I Just Want You is my heart. It’s a really good representation of who I am.

GC: Do you think that’s why it’s crossed over? Because Of Who You Are is on almost every gospel radio station.

VY: I know. I am surprised, and yet I’m so happy. I’ve told people many times that that’s my audience. I travel and do about 180 dates a year and 99.9% of the places I go to are black churches. I’ve done that for about the last 5 or 6 years. But my music wasn’t part of black gospel radio station formats -- some CCM, but not much. I would pray to God, “I know where I’m supposed to be, but who will take me there?” So when CeCe wanted me to be on her record label, I was like, “Thank You, Jesus!” For God to put me with a company with integrity…it’s just an answer to prayer.

GC: Why do you think there is an acceptance with your music at this point in your career?

VY: I think there was an acceptance before. I’ve been on the road for 14 years. I’ve been out there for a long time. I find it funny when people say, “I’ve never heard of you. You’re a new artist, right?” I have to say, “No, no, no”. I’m not a new artist [laughs]; I’m just in a new season. This is a new season that I’ve prayed for. CeCe Winans and PureSprings Gospel is a big part of that. Some people get signed to a record company and then all of the sudden, bang, they’re out there and everybody knows who they are. For me, it’s been a process. I’m on my seventh album. I went on TBN about 4 or 5 years ago. It hasn’t been all of the sudden that people know who Vicki Yohe is. It’s been hard work for me. I knew who my audience was.