Fred Hammond
Frederick William Hammond is an American gospel singer, bass guitar player, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most popular figures in [Contemporary Gospel|contemporary Gospel music|gospel music]. He is known for using a variety of different styles in his music such as R&B, hip-hop, and disco.
Musical career
Hammond has been active both as a member of the gospel performing group Commissioned, and as a solo artist. He is a multiple Grammy, Dove, and Stellar award winner and nominee as a performer, producer, and writer.Hammond first gained recognition while playing bass guitar for the gospel group The Winans. By 1985, he was one of the six original members of the group Commissioned, participating in 10 of the group's 12 albums.
After his time with Commissioned ended, he regained fame in the gospel community after selling millions of albums with his musical group Radical For Christ.
In 2002, Hammond returned to the group Commissioned to produce the Commissioned Reunion Live album.
Hammond produced "Make Me Like the Moon", a gospel ballad co-written by Chanté Moore and Kenny Lattimore for their 2006 double-CD of gospel and R&B love songs entitled Uncovered/Covered. He also performs with Sean Combs on the unreleased album, Thank You.
Awards and nominations
BET Awards
The BET Awards are awarded annually by the Black Entertainment Television network. Hammond has received 8 nominations.| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
| 2002 | Best Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Best Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2007 | Best Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2012 | Best Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2015 | Best Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2019 | Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | "Tell Me Where It Hurts" | Nomitated |
| 2020 | Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | "Alright" | Nomitated |
| 2022 | Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | "Hallelujah" | Nomitated |
Dove Awards
The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Hammond has received 9 awards from 34 nominations and has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame.| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
| 1990 | Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year | Will You Be Ready? | Won |
| 1991 | Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year | State of Mind | Nomitated |
| 1993 | Inspiration Album of the Year | Generation 2 Generation | Won |
| 1993 | Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year | Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration | Won |
| 1993 | Contemporary Black Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Kings of Glory" | Nomitated |
| 1995 | Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year | Matters of the Year | Nomitated |
| 1996 | Urban Album of the Year | Give Your Love | Won |
| 1996 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Glory To Glory To Glory" | Nomitated |
| 1997 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Irreplaceable Love | Nomitated |
| 1997 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | The Spirit of David | Nomitated |
| 1997 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "No Weapon" | Nomitated |
| 1999 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Let The Praise Begin" | Won |
| 1999 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Your Steps Are Ordered" | Nomitated |
| 1999 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Jesus Is All" | Nomitated |
| 1999 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Pages of Life: Chapters 1 & 2 | Nomitated |
| 2000 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Power" | Won |
| 2000 | Male Vocalist of the Year | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2001 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Purpose by Design | Won |
| 2001 | Long Form Video of the Year | Purpose by Design | Nomitated |
| 2001 | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "When You Praise" | Nomitated |
| 2001 | Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "I Want My Destiny" | Nomitated |
| 2002 | Urban Album of the Year | Christmas... Just Remember | Won |
| 2002 | Special Event Album of the Year | In Case You Missed It... and Then Some | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Speak Those Things: POL Chapter 3 | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Somethin' 'Bout Love | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Celebrate " | Nomitated |
| 2006 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "I Will Find A Way" | Nomitated |
| 2007 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Free to Worship | Nomitated |
| 2010 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Love Unstoppable | Won |
| 2010 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Awesome God" | Nomitated |
| 2015 | Gospel Artist of the Year | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2015 | Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year | I Will Trust | Nomitated |
| 2017 | Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year | Worship Journal - Live | Nomitated |
| 2017 | Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "Father Jesus Spirit" | Nomitated |
| 2021 | Gospel Music Hall of Fame | Commissioned |
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Hammond has received 1 award from 15 nominations.| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
| 1990 | Best Soup Gospel Vocal Performance By a Duo, Group, Choir, or Chorus | Will You Be Ready? | Nomitated |
| 1992 | Best Pop Gospel Album' | Shakin' The House...Live | Nomitated |
| 1995 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Matters of the Heart | Nomitated |
| 1997 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Shakin' The House...Live In L.A. | Nomitated |
| 1999 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Pages Of Life - Chapters I And II | Nomitated |
| 1999 | Best Engineered Album - Non-Classical | The Nu Nation Project | Nomitated |
| 2001 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Purpose By Design | Nomitated |
| 2002 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | In Case You Missed It...And Then Some | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Speak Those Things: POL Chapter 3 | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | The Commissioned Reunion "Live" | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Somethin' 'Bout Love | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Best Gospel Performance | "Celebrate " | Nomitated |
| 2008 | Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album | Free To Worship | Won |
| 2011 | Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album | Love Unstoppable | Nomitated |
| 2013 | Best Gospel Song | "I Feel Good" | Nomitated |
NAACP Image Awards
The NAACP Image Awards are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Hammond has received 7 nominations.| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
| 1999 | Outstanding Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Outstanding Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Outstanding Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2007 | Outstanding Gospel Artist | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2010 | Outstanding Gospel Album | Love Unstoppable | Nomitated |
| 2013 | Outstanding Gospel Album | God, Love & Romance | Nomitated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Gospel Album | Worship Journal Live | Nomitated |
Soul Train Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards are awarded annually. Hammond has received 5 nominations.| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
| 1999 | Best Gospel Album | Pages of Life - Chapters I & II | Nomitated |
| 2009 | Best Gospel Performance | "They That Wait" | Nomitated |
| 2010 | Best Gospel Performance | Himself | Nomitated |
| 2015 | Best Gospel/Inspirational Song | "I Will Trust" | Nomitated |
| 2022 | Best Gospel/Inspiration Award | Himself | Nomitated |
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Hammond has received 9 awards from 58 nominations.| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
| 2001 | Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Time & Season | Nomitated |
| 2001 | Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Purpose By Design | Nomitated |
| 2001 | CD of the Year | Purpose By Design | Nomitated |
| 2001 | Choir of the Year | Purpose By Design | Nomitated |
| 2001 | Contemporary Choir of the Year | Purpose By Design | Nomitated |
| 2001 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Purpose By Design | Won |
| 2001 | Male Vocalist of the Year | Purpose By Design | Won |
| 2001 | Producer of the Year | Purpose By Design | Won |
| 2001 | Producer of the Year | Mountain High...Valley Low | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Song of the Year | "King of Glory" | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Christmas... Just Remember | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Contemporary CD of the Year | The Commissioned Reunion Live | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | The Commissioned Reunion Live | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Group Duo of the Year | The Commissioned Reunion Live | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Producer of the Year | The Commissioned Reunion Live | Nomitated |
| 2003 | Special Event CD of the Year | The Commissioned Reunion Live | Won |
| 2005 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Speak Those Things: POL Chapter 3 | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Producer of the Year | Somethin' 'Bout Love | Won |
| 2005 | Artist of the Year | Somethin' 'Bout Love | Nomitated |
| 2005 | CD of the Year | Somethin' 'Bout Love | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Contemporary CD of the Year | Somethin' 'Bout Love | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Somethin' 'Bout Love | Nomitated |
| 2005 | Song of the Year | "Celebrate " | Nomitated |
| 2007 | Producer of the Year | Better Than That | Nomitated |
| 2008 | Contemporary Male of the Year | Free To Worship | Won |
| 2008 | Artist of the Year | Free To Worship | Nomitated |
| 2008 | Male Vocalist of the Year | Free To Worship | Nomitated |
| 2008 | Producer of the Year | Free To Worship | Nomitated |
| 2011 | Artist of the Year | Love Unstoppable | Nomitated |
| 2011 | CD of the Year | Love Unstoppable | Nomitated |
| 2011 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | Love Unstoppable | Nomitated |
| 2011 | Contemporary CD of the Year | Love Unstoppable | Nomitated |
| 2011 | Male Vocalist of the Year | Love Unstoppable | Nomitated |
| 2011 | Producer of the Year | Love Unstoppable | Nomitated |
| 2011 | Song of the Year | "They That Wait" | Nomitated |
| 2013 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | God, Love & Romance | Won |
| 2013 | CD of the Year | God, Love & Romance | Nomitated |
| 2013 | Contemporary CD of the Year | God, Love & Romance | Nomitated |
| 2013 | Male Vocalist of the Year | God, Love & Romance | Nomitated |
| 2013 | Producer of the Year | God, Love & Romance | Nomitated |
| 2013 | Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year | "I Feel Good" | Nomitated |
| 2014 | Producer of the Year | United Tenors | Won |
| 2014 | Contemporary CD of the Year | United Tenors | Nomitated |
| 2014 | Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | United Tenors | Nomitated |
| 2014 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | United Tenors | Nomitated |
| 2014 | Group/Duo of the Year | United Tenors | Nomitated |
| 2014 | Urban/Inspiration Single or Performance of the Year | "Here In Our Praise" | Nomitated |
| 2016 | Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year | I Will Trust | Nomitated |
| 2016 | Male Vocalist of the Year | I Will Trust | Nomitated |
| 2017 | Traditional CD of the Year | Worship Journal Live | Nomitated |
| 2017 | Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year | Worship Journal Live | Nomitated |
| 2019 | Special Event CD of the Year | The Best of Fred Hammond | Won |
| 2021 | Urban/Inspiration Single or Performance of the Year | "Alright" | Nomitated |
| 2021 | Producer of the Year | "Alright" | Nomitated |
| 2025 | Duo/Chorus Group of the Year | Time Capsule - The Trilogy | Nomitated |
| 2025 | Producer of the Year | Time Capsule - The Trilogy | Nomitated |
Personal life
Hammond has two children who have appeared on his 2009 album, Love Unstoppable. Hammond divorced his wife of 18 years, Kim, in 2004, and he currently resides in Cedar Hill, Texas.Hammond revealed on the Donnie McClurkin Show that his mother confessed to him three months before she died that she tried to get an abortion when she was pregnant with him, and the procedure, done in 1960, before abortions were legal, failed. Hammond's mother returned for a second attempt but decided against the procedure; Hammond was later born in December 1960.
According to Fred Hammond in an interview with Tim Ross, his father is Bishop Charles Watkins, a former gospel artist and a former full bishop in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.
Hammond is an honorary member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity