Carman (singer)

Carmelo Domenic Licciardello (born January 19, 1956) known by his stage name, Carman, is a contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter, television host, life coach[1] and evangelist.

Carman
Background information
Birth nameCarmelo Domenic Licciardello
Born (1956-01-19) January 19, 1956
Trenton, New Jersey
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Evangelist
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • television show host
  • actor
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1982–present
Labels
Websitecarman.org

Early life

Carman was born in Trenton, New Jersey.[2] As a child he played drums in his mother's band; as a teen, he formed his own group. Around age 20, he moved to California.

While attending an Andraé Crouch concert, Carman became a born again Christian, and embraced evangelicalism.

Career

In 1980, he made a custom album titled God's Not Finished with Me. The following year, he was invited by Bill Gaither to tour with The Bill Gaither Trio.[3]

After relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma, he released a moderately successful eponymous debut album (later issued as Some-o-Dat)[2] in 1982[4]—which contained mostly novelty songs. Then, with the release of the live album Sunday's on the Way in 1983, a string of CCM chart successes started, beginning with the title song. As he continued his music career, Carman established the nonprofit organization Carman Ministries.[2] With the 1985 release of The Champion came his first number-one song, of the same name. Another live album, Radically Saved, came in 1988. Then 1989 brought Carman his first number one album, Revival in the Land.

Between 1987 and 1989, he was named Charisma magazine's readers' choice for favorite male vocalist.[4] In 1990 and 1992, Billboard recognized Carman's influence in Christian music by naming him the Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year, and in 1995, he recorded his first album in Spanish, Lo Mejor, which includes some of the already recorded songs such as "Who's in the House" and "The River". In 2000, the album Heart of a Champion came out with 30 of his best songs, including some new ones.[4] In 2007, he updated his catalog with Instrument Of Praise.

Carman has received 15 gold and platinum albums and videos and has sold over 10 million records. He holds the world record for the largest single Christian concert in history. He was the main act in August 1993 in Johannesburg, South Africa with more than 50,000 in attendance,[5] and he performed a free concert at Texas Stadium October 22, 1994 with 71,132 attendees.[2][4]

Beyond his music career, he participates in various television productions and interview duties as a host for both the Trinity Broadcasting Network in general and its flagship program Praise the Lord.[6] In 2001, Carman starred in the film Carman: The Champion.[2][7]

In late March 2013, Carman announced a Kickstarter campaign for a new album and music video. A short time later, he announced an upcoming 60-city tour, as well, additionally noting that the online fundraising campaign had raised more than $230,000 within several weeks.[8]

Personal life

In November 2011 Carman was the passenger in a car which was struck by a truck from oncoming traffic. The accident took place just outside the church where his appearance was scheduled. Carman performed the concert, but collapsed afterwards and required surgery to repair internal injuries.[9]

Carman began battling cancer in 2013. His Facebook accounts announced he had been diagnosed with myeloma and given a prognosis of only three to four more years to live.[10][11] By early 2014, Carman claimed medical tests indicated his body was free of cancer. He then continued preparing for his Live Across America album and tour.[12] By January 2015, Carman attributed his successful recovery to the "commitment" he had made to his Facebook and Kickstarter supporters to begin his "No Plan B Tour" as soon as he regained his health.[13] Later that same year he toured the eastern United States.[13]

In December 2017, at the age of 61, Carman married Dana Licciardello. His new family includes one son, five daughters and nine grandchildren.[14]

In January 2020 Carman announced his cancer had returned.[15] He resumed live concert church tours June 2020.[16]

Discography and filmography
Main article: Carman discography

Selected list

  • 1980: God's Not Finished with Me
  • 1982: Some-o-Dat aka Carman
  • 1983: Sunday's On the Way
  • 1984: Comin' On Strong
  • 1985: The Champion
  • 1986: A Long Time Ago...in a Land Called Bethlehem
  • 1988: Live: Radically Saved
  • 1989: Revival in the Land
  • 1991: Shakin' The House Live
  • 1992: Addicted to Jesus
  • 1992: Yo Kidz!: Heroes, Stories, and Songs from the Bible
  • 1993: Yo Kidz!: Lawrence the Kat and the B. Attitudes
  • 1993: The Standard
  • 1994: Yo Kidz! 2: The Armor of God
  • 1995: Lo Mejor
  • 1995: Christmas With Carman
  • 1995: R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of Truth)
  • 1996: Yo Kidz!: Lawrence the Kat and the Bible
  • 1997: I Surrender All: 30 Classic Hymns
  • 1998: Mission 3:16
  • 1999: Passion for Praise, Vol. 1
  • 2000: Heart of a Champion
  • 2002: House of Praise
  • 2007: Instrument of Praise
  • 2014: No Plan B
  • 2017: Legacy

Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
Year Category Nominated work Result
1987 Best Gospel Performance – Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus "Our Blessed Saviour Has Come" (with CeCe Winans)[17] Nominated
1992 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album Shakin' the House...Live (with Commissioned with the Christ Church Choir) Nominated
1993 Addicted to Jesus Nominated
1999 Mission 3:16 Nominated
GMA Dove Awards
Year Category Nominated work Result
1989 Long Form Music Video of the Year Live: Radically Saved Won
1991 Long Form Video of the Year Revival in the Land Won
1991 Short Form Video of the Year "Revival in the Land" Won
1993 Long Form Video of the Year Addicted To Jesus Won
1995 Children's Music Album of the Year Yo! Kidz! 2: The Armor Of God Won
1996 Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year "R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of Truth)" Won
1999 Long Form Music Video of the Year Mission 3:16 The Video Nominated

Carman was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018.[18]

gollark: My code is perfect and flawless, so it shouldn't do this.
gollark: How is it *negative*? What *happened*?
gollark: ... oh no.
gollark: It doesn't track GEORGE status, though.
gollark: I should probably add an API to that.

References
  1. Law, Jeannie (April 14, 2017). "Carman Licciardello Cancer Update: Singer Fulfills Dream of Becoming Life Coach Before Upcoming Tumor Surgery". The Christian Post. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  2. Alfonso, Barry (2002). The Billboard guide to Contemporary Christian Music. New York: Billboard Books. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-8230-7718-2.
  3. Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 141–43. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
  4. Ankeny, Jason. "Carman – Biography". Allmusic (Macrovision Corporation). Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  5. van Jaarsveld, Ingrid. "Christene laat dak lig vir vrede 50 000 op Wanderers vir grootste vredesbyeenkoms nog in SA" [Christians Raise the Roof for Peace: 50,000 at Wanderers] (in Afrikaans). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  6. Dunn, Patrick (February 25, 2005). "Christian Artist Carman Keeps Up With the Times". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  7. Cling, Carol (March 2, 2001). "Opening This week". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  8. "Carman Announces 60-City Tour After Raising More Than $200K on Kickstarter". Christian Post.
  9. "Carman in Car Accident". All Access Music Group. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  10. "Carman Licciardello". Facebook.
  11. "Carman Cancer Update: Singer Enters Second Round of Chemo Treatments, 'I've Never Been as Optimistic in My Life'". BREATHEcast.
  12. "After Fears, Carman Tells Fans He's Cancer Free". cbn.com.
  13. "Concerts, events, concert, festival & conference tickets". itickets.com.
  14. Law, Jeannie (December 19, 2017). "'Proverbial Bachelor' and Christian Star Carman Licciardello Finally Gets Married at 61". The Christian Post. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  15. "'I Still Trust God': Christian Singer Carman's Birthday Wish After Cancer Returns". CBN News. January 17, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  16. "Carman Licciardello". www.facebook.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  17. "Grammy Awards 1987".
  18. "Carman". Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
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