Over the last two decades, the dynamic Dove and Stellar Award nominee Vicki Yohe has been at the forefront of the praise and worship music movement on the church circuit where she turned songs such as “The Mercy Seat,” “Under The Blood” and “Something About My Praise,” into international anthems via her soul-stirring performances of the songs at mass evangelistic crusades all over the globe. Billboard Magazine says of Yohe’s ministry, “For believers looking to lose themselves in a wonderful worship experience, this is the next best thing to being in a pew.” T.D. Jakes shares, “When I think of great psalmists that have really impact not only my church but my life, I think of Vicki Yohe.”
Yohe’s ministry has even afforded her the opportunity to appear as a Keynote speaker at a Pentagon Prayer Breakfast. She has also ministered in song alongside some of today’s well-known pastors and evangelists including Bill Winston, Juanita Bynum, TD Jakes , Creflo Dollar, Darlene Bishop and Paula White. A lot of artists sing about saving souls but Vicki Yohe is actually doing it. Not only is she raising two adopted sons but she’s also the spiritual mama to three dozen African children at an orphanage she founded in 2005 in Uganda, New Destiny for Children.
“I’ve been nominated for several awards and ministered to 2.8 million people at a Benny Hinn crusade in India but none of this feels as good as taking care of my children in Uganda. Where does Yohe get the burst of energy to juggle her busy career, the demands of motherhood and raising money for the children’s home? God’s Peace.
Yohe’s new album was recorded in April at the Faith World Center in Orlando, FL. Produced by Kendall Duffie, who produced her last two albums (Reveal Your Glory and I’m At Peace) and who is a member of R&B group Kloud 9, and keyboardist Ayron Lewis, with whom Vicki has also previously collaborated, Free Worshipper delivers an especially strong set of all-new songs hand-picked by Vicki from the work of several songwriters active in the Christian community. “True worship begins with freedom,” Vicki explains. “There is nothing like entering His presence loosed from those things that separate us from Him; total surrender…that’s freedom. Freedom is a beautiful thing!”
Born into a minister’s family, Vicki wrote and sang her first song at the age of five and by 17 she entered bible school, and after two years, she accepted a Music Director’s position near Baton Rouge, LA. Vicki and her sister, Terri, were a teenage singing duo who traveled with their evangelizing father. Her musical influences included Tramaine Hawkins and Aretha Franklin. In 1992, she recorded her first project Everlasting Love which was followed by I Give You Love in 1995 and He Knows My Heart in 1997. Christmas Presence was released in 2000 followed by Beyond This Song the following year. Upon meeting CeCe Winans at a television taping, the two artists discovered they were fans of each other’s music. Not long after, Winans signed Yohe as her first artist on her newly created Pure Springs Gospel label.
The first project I Just Want You was a huge success off of the strength of the radio single, “Because of Who You Are,” it garnered nominations for both Dove and Stellar awards. Her second release from Pure Springs, He’s Been Faithful. In 2009 Vicki Yohe made her critically acclaimed Shanachie Entertainment debut, Reveal Your Glory: Live from the Cathedral, her first live recording, and the following year released her DVD of the same title (both recorded at the Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral in Atlanta, GA). 2011 followed with her acclaimed live recording I’m At Peace which was recorded at Bethel World Outreach in Brentwood, TN.
Vicki Yohe shares, “Free Worshipper is so special to me,” Vicki muses, “because each song on the album touched me in a unique way. Each song ministered to certain areas of my life and I am pleased with how the songs came together to make this album. There is no way I can expect these songs to minister to the hearts of listeners if it does not move me. I have always been known as a praise and worship leader. I am honored for every opportunity I have to lead others in worship.”
