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All Music Guide:
Gospel and urban-influenced praise & worship singer Crystal Aikin grew up in Tacoma, WA, participating early in the choirs and singing groups at her local church. Eventually she found herself taking on more and more lead singing and directing duties, even as she worked long hours as an emergency room nurse at a Catholic hospital in Tacoma. Everything changed, though, when she became a contestant on the first season of BET's high-profile gospel competition Sunday Best in 2007. Aikin was clearly a fan favorite and was the first season winner, turning the exposure into a record and production contract. Her debut album, the self-titled Crystal Aikin, appeared in 2009 from Zomba Gospel. Produced by PAJAM , Dre & Vidal, and Asaph A. Ward, the album featured fairly predictable contemporary gospel with enough jazz, rock, and urban elements to give it wide audience appeal. It also allowed Aikin to quit her job as a nurse to concentrate on singing.
Wikipedia:
Crystal Aikin is an American gospel singer-songwriter from Tacoma, Washington, and the winner of the first season of Sunday Best. Her eponymous debut album was released on January 13, 2009, through Verity Records.
Biography
Early life and career
Aikin grew up in Tacoma, Washington. Since her childhood, she attended Altheimer Memorial Church of God In Christ, where she sang in a children's group called Sunshine Band. As she grew up, she continued to sing as part of the praise group in church, and had become a known local singer in the Tacoma-Seattle area. During this time, Aikin also obtained a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Psychology.
While a teenager, Aikin was part of a local group called Heaven Sent Us. In the late 90s, Aikin joined a local singing group called Soul. This group gave her more exposure outside of the Tacoma area, even performing at the Gospel Music Workshop of America.
After leaving Soul, Aikin continued singing in the Tacoma area. In 2005, she enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University and obtained a nursing degree. Aikin's mother, a registered nurse also, is a Professor of Nursing at the university. After that, she started working as an emergency room nurse.
Sunday Best
In 2007, Aikin auditioned for the reality television contest, Sunday Best, where Christian singers compete for a record contract in the Christian music industry. After being chosen to participate, Aikin went to Los Angeles. After several weeks of competition, she finished in first place, winning a recording contract with Zomba Gospel Music (now Verity Gospel Music Group). She also won a 2008 Toyota Camry.
Performances/results
Post Sunday Best career
After signing with Verity, Aikin released her eponymous debut album on March 17, 2009. The album featured producer contributions from PAJAM, Dre & Vidal, Gerald Haddon, Derek Clark, and Asaph Ward, among others.
In 2010, she was nominated for a GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.
