Carman (singer)

Carmelo Domenic Licciardello (January 19, 1956 – February 16, 2021), known by his stage name Carman, was an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, dancer, songwriter, television host, life coach, and evangelist.

Early life
An Italian American, Carman was born in Trenton, New Jersey. As a child he performed in his mother's band; as a teen, he found some success performing at casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

While attending an Andraé Crouch concert, he became a born again Christian, and embraced evangelical Christianity.

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.

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

Between 1987 and 1989, he was named Charisma magazine's readers' choice for favorite male vocalist. In 1990 and 1992, Billboard named him the Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year. In 1995, he translated some of his songs into and released his first Spanish-language album, Lo Mejor. Heart of a Champion, a 30-song retrospective was released in 2000.

He was nominated for four Grammys and sold over 10 million records. It is believed he holds the world record for the largest single Christian concert in history. In the first, he was the main act in August 1993 in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 50,000 in attendance. The following year he performed a free concert at Texas Stadium October 22, 1994, with 71,132 attendees, and 80,000 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Beyond his music career, he participated 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. In 2001, he starred in the film Carman: The Champion.

In late March 2013, he 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.

His musical style has been described by Relevant magazine as "operatic, story-driven songs that often centered around cosmic battles between God and Satan — like Frank Peretti by way of Meatloaf."

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

He began battling cancer, multiple myeloma, in 2013, and he was given a prognosis of three to four years to live. By early 2014, he said, medical tests indicated his body was free of cancer. He then continued preparing for his Live Across America album and tour. When the cancer went into remission, he attributed his healing to the faith of his fans. He pledged to his Facebook and Kickstarter supporters to begin his "No Plan B Tour" as soon as he regained his health. Later that year he toured the eastern United States.

In December 2017, at the age of 61, he married Dana Morrow. His new family included six stepchildren and nine step-grandchildren. Carman filed for divorce in 2018 and it was settled in 2019.

In January 2020, he announced his cancer had returned. He resumed live concert church tours in June 2020.

Death
Carman died on February 16, 2021, at a Las Vegas, Nevada, hospital after a series of complications resulting from surgery to repair a hiatal hernia, 28 days after his 65th birthday. He is survived by his ex-wife, five stepchildren, and ten step-grandchildren.

Discography and filmography
Source(s): Selected list


 * 1980: God's Not Finished with Me
 * 1982: Some-o-Dat a.k.a. 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: Carman Live: Radically Saved
 * 1989: Revival in the Land
 * 1991: Shakin' the House Live
 * 1991: 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! Vol. 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
Carman was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018.