Mary Mary Biography

Mary Mary Formed

Their debut album on Columbia came out in 2000.

Mary Mary - The Early Years

Sisters Erica and Tina Atkins, born two years apart, grew up singing in church choirs. Music was always their dream so they both enrolled at El Camino College to study voice. In their early 20s, they toured with the 1995 Michael Matthews traveling gospel show Mama I'm Sorry and both of them toured as backup singers for several popular R&B artists over the next couple of years.

Mary Mary - The Big Break

Producer Warryn Campbell (whom Erica married in 2001) helped them get their talent in front of EMI Music and a publishing deal was signed. Their songs were soon heard on the major motion picture soundtracks for Dr. Dolittle and The Prince of Egypt as well as on the albums of artists like Yolanda Adams, 702 and Robin S.

The strength of their talent quickly became apparent in the singing arena as well and Columbia Records signed them to a recording contract in 2000. Their debut album, Thankful, hit stores in May and was RIAA Certified Gold on August 23, 2000, Platinum on December 17, 2001. It won the GRAMMY Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album in 2000 and the Dove Urban Album of the Year in 2001.

From the Stage to the Small Screen

On March 29, 2012, fans tuned in to WE tv to see Erica and Tina debut their own weekly TV show. Mary Mary takes viewers behind the scenes where the sisters balance work, family, relationships and life in general. 

Erica Goes Solo

The rumors of a break-up started hitting hard and heavy in December 2012. In January of 2013, the sisters told Essence.com that it's not a break-up, it's just a break as they were "joined at the hip" for 12 years and needed time to reassess their lives. Erica wanted to pursue a solo career and Tina wanted time away from the spotlight to travel and rest (when not filming the show). They did assure everyone that no matter what happens with the music or the TV show, they are and will always be sisters who love each other.

Mary Mary Discography

• It's Personal - 2015 - solo project by Tina Campbell
• Help 2.0 - 2015 by Erica Campbell 
• Help - 2014 - solo project by Erica Campbell 
• Go Get It, 2012 
• Something Big, 2011
• The Sound, 2008 
• Mary Mary Christmas, 2006
• Mary Mary, 2005 (Certified RIAA Gold 12/15/2005) 
• Incredible, 2002 (Certified RIAA Gold 09/30/2003)
• Thankful, 2000

Mary Mary Has Also Appeared On ...

• WOW Gospel 2014
• WOW Gospel 2012
• WOW Gospel 2011
• WOW Gospel 2010
• WOW Gospel 2009
• WOW Gospel 2008
• WOW Gospel 2007
• WOW Gospel 2006
• WOW Gospel 2003
• WOW Gospel 2001

Mary Mary Starter Songs:

• "Biggest, Greatest Thing"
• "Sitting With Me"
• "Something Big" 
• "Survive"
• "The Real Party (Trevon's Birthday)"

Mary Mary Awards

About.com Readers' Choice Awards

• Best Urban Gospel Artist - 2012
• Best Urban Gospel Artist - 2011

American Music Awards

• Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist - 2009
• Favorite Inspirational/Christian Contemporary Artist - 2005

ASCAP Awards

• Golden Note Award - 2011

BET Awards

• Best Gospel Artist - 2013
• Best Gospel Artist - 2011
• Best Gospel Artist - 2009

Dove Awards

• Urban Recorded Song of the Year "Get Up" - 2009
• Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Mary Mary - 2006
• Urban Recorded Song of the Year "Dance, Dance, Dance" - 2004
• Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "In the Morning" - 2003
• Urban Recorded Song of the Year "Thank You" with Kirk Franklin - 2002
• Urban Album of the Year Thankful - 2001
• Urban Recorded Song of the Year "Shackles (Praise You)" - 2001

GRAMMY Awards

• Best Gospel Album Help (Erica Campbell) - 2015
• Best Gospel Song "Go Get It" - 2013
• Best Gospel Song "God In Me" - 2010
• Best Gospel Performance "Get Up" - 2009
• Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album Thankful - 2000

MOBO Awards

• Best Gospel Act - 2001
• Best Gospel Act - 2000

NAACP Image Awards

• Outstanding Song "God In Me" - 2010
• Outstanding Gospel Artist (Traditional or Contemporary) - 2009

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

• Best Gospel Album Thankful - 2001

Stellar Awards

• Group Duo of the Year - 2013
• Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year - 2013
• Contemporary CD of the Year Go Get It - 2013
• Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year "Go Get It" - 2013
• Special Event CD of the Year Go Get It - 2013
• Music Video of the Year - Short Format "Go Get It" - 2013
• Contemporary Group Duo of the Year - 2010
• Group Duo of the Year - 2010
• Song of the Year "God in Me" - 2010
• Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year "God in Me" - 2010
• Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year "Heaven" - 2006
• Contemporary Group Duo of the Year - 2004
• Group Duo of the Year - 2001
• New Artist of the Year - 2001
• Contemporary CD of the Year Thankful - 2001
• Contemporary Group Duo of the Year - 2001

Mary Mary News:

• Mary Mary Gets 6 Stellar Nods for 2013
• Mary Mary Gets 2 GRAMMY Nods for 2013
• Mary Mary Gets 2 GRAMMY Nods for 2012
• Top Christian Albums - March 2011
• BMI Christian Music Awards - 2010
• Top 20 Christian Songs of 2009
• Top 10 Christian Albums Sold in 2005
• Best Urban Gospel Albums

Mary Mary Extras:

• Urban Gospel Videos
• Christian Songs About God
• Christian Wedding Songs and Love Songs
• Top 10 Versions of "O Come, All Ye Faithful"