One of the most successful performers in contemporary Christian music, Carman was born Dominic Licciardello on January 19, 1956; "saved" at an Andrae Crouch concert, he was later discovered by Bill Gaither, eventually founding his own ministry and recording arm. Debuting in 1982 with Some-O'-Dat, he issued a series of LPs which gradually launched him to the top of CCM playlists, and between 1987 and 1989 he was named Charisma magazine's readers' choice for favorite male vocalist in three consecutive years.