Gospel music’s princess and Grammy award-winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams, is preparing a collection of holiday songs to be released in October 2007, has joined the elite roster of Columbia Records.  Yolanda Adams‘ debut album, “Just As I Am,” and several subsequent albums including “Mountain High … Valley Low,” “Christmas With Yolanda Adams,” “Believe” and “Day By Day” have all reached the top of the Billboard Gospel Albums chart.

Yolanda Adams also earned BET’s Best Gospel Artist award for three consecutive years (2000-2003) and four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.

In a press release, Steve Barnett of Columbia Records said, “Yolanda Adams is truly the ‘first lady of modern gospel’ and we are proud to have her on the Columbia Records roster. Her pioneering blend of R&B, pop and gospel continues to inspire her fans and transform the musical landscape. Her music has brought me a lot of joy over the years and we are all very excited to hear where Yolanda is going next.”

In addition to the holiday album to be released in October, she is currently working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on a follow-up album for Columbia to be released in early 2008.