Kirk Franklin

Bio:
Kirk Franklin (born Kirk Dewayne Franklin in Fort Worth, Texas on January 26, 1970) is an American gospel musician, choir director, and author. Kirk was raised by his aunt, Gertrude, after his mother abandoned him. Gertrude raised money for Kirk to take piano lessons starting at age four. He immediately excelled in music, being able to read and write music, while also playing by ear. By age 12 he was the music director of the Mt. Rose Baptist Church adult choir. In 1992, Kirk organized “The Family,” a seventeen-voice choir, formed from neighborhood friends and associates. That same year, Vicki Mack-Lataillade, the co-founder of the record label GospoCentric, heard one of their demo tapes and was so impressed she immediately signed up Kirk & The Family to a recording contract. Their debut album eventually earned platinum sales status and remained at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks. It was also the first gospel music album to sell over a million units. After massive success with groups, Kirk decided to start a solo career in 2001. Kirk’s 10th album, The Fight of My Life, was released in the United States on December 18, 2007. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 33 with 74,000 copies sold in the first week. In 2013, Kirk started his own record label imprint, Fo Yo Soul Recordings. Kirk’s eleventh studio album, Losing My Religion, was released in November 2015.

Best Known For:
Kirk Franklin is best known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God’s Property, and One Nation Crew (1NC). Kirk is also well known for winning multiple awards, including seven Grammy Awards.

Personal Life:
Kirk Franklin married his longtime friend, Tammy Collins, on January 20, 1996. When they wed, they each had one child from previous relationships. Kirk’s son Kerrion, was born in 1988, and Tammy’s daughter Carrington (whom she legally adopted), was born in 1989. As a couple, they have two children together. In 2005, Kirk appeared with Tammy on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss how he ended his pornography addiction.