Career
Vanessa Bell Armstrong made her solo debut on Onyx/Muscle Shoals Sound Records in 1983 with the album Peace Be Still. The title track has since became one of Armstrong"s signature songs. Armstrong"s second album Chosen hit number one on the United States Billboard Top Gospel chart.
Bell Armstrong performed on the 1st Annual Soul Train Awards ceremony.
Vanessa enjoyed a slice of mainstream success in the late 1980s. The song was serviced to radio stations to play on the 40th anniversary of the civil rights icon"s arrest.
Armstrong appeared on Broadway in 1991 in a production of Don"t Get God Started. "Always," a Marvin Winans composition that anchors the play, also appears on Armstrong"s 1987 self-titled album.
Her Broadway role lead to a cameo appearance in the Oprah Winfrey television special The Women of Brewster Place.
Armstrong was also chosen to record the theme to the popular 1980s National Broadcasting Company sitcom Amen. Vanessa Bell Armstrong took a three-year self-imposed hiatus from recording before releasing A Brand New Day under a new deal with Tommy Boy Gospel in 2001. The latter song was inspired by Armstrong"s son who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Season Six Top 3 American Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle used to sing backup for Vanessa Bell Armstrong.