Evangelist Sylvia L. Addison, Gospel Music Channel (GMC) 2012 Summer Most Powerful Voice Contest Winner in the Traditional Gospel Category is the eldest daughter of Pastor James Addison & Mayola Addison-McDonald, both now deceased. According to her parents she began singing before she could talk. She joined the family singing group the Addison Singers when she was five years old.

She was heavily influenced by her mother's love for quartet groups such as the Dixie Hummingbirds, Sensational Nightingales, Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Blind Boys, The Pilgrim Jubilees, Swan Silver Tones, and other black male quartet groups. Mahalia Jackson, Mavis of the Staple Singers, Dorothy Love Coats, Shirley Caesar, and Loretta Lyn and Charley Pride were her father's favorites. She would sneak and listen to Etta James and old recordings of Big Mama Thorton. She learned to dive into those husky notes and rise with thunder by imitating them and Mavis Staples.

In her music you will hear not only the influences of her heritage and these legends, but you will also hear the pain and victory over her past. She infuses her music with toe tapping and hand clapping spiritual vibrations infused with smooth gospel rifts and a little bit of soul and blues.