Credit: Bita Honarvar

Credit: Bita Honarvar

More than a decade after the release of her debut album, the veteran R&B singer is now a nominee at Sunday’s Grammy Awards. She’ll compete with Childish Gambino, Kehlani, NxWorries and Durand Bernarr for best progressive R&B album. Sunshine is among many Georgia nominees at this year’s ceremony.

The more she talks about the honor, the more watery her eyes become. Tears form as she reflects on a journey that technically began 15 years ago but, to Sunshine, feels like her entire life.

“We’ve worked in the dark for so long. You tell yourself that doesn’t matter and that you will do it no matter what. But in the moment, it is on music’s largest stage that you are acknowledged next to all these people whom you admire. It is meaningful in a way that I’m almost unable to articulate how it feels. It’s such a powerful moment.”

Avery Sunshine, whose real name is Denise White, was born in Chester, Pennsylvania. She moved to Atlanta to attend Spelman College. It’s where she met her longtime musical partner and now husband, Dana Johnson, a Morehouse alum. But, at the time, the classically trained pianist didn’t envision an entertainment career. Although she grew up singing in choirs and performed at various churches, she thought she’d always make music without being the marquee act.

The singer spent the beginning of her postgrad career honoring those roots — directing choirs at churches across Atlanta including Zion Hill Baptist and Ebenezer Baptist.

“I thought I’d be somebody’s music director or teacher. Not this. I like the bright light, but I thought the spotlight would be on my back. I had no idea that I would turn around, and the spotlight would be on me. But I guess it was somewhere down deep.”

That was until the early aughts when she frequented Atlanta’s iconic Yin Yang Café, which was later renamed Apache. There, she saw soul and jazz artists including Lil John Roberts, India Aria and Phillippia. She became inspired by their performances and wanted to do the same. Shortly after, Avery Sunshine was born.

Credit: Bita Honarvar

Credit: Bita Honarvar

She dropped her eponymous debut album in 2010, scored a No. 1 song in 2014 and performed for music legends Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson. Her career as an independent artist also sparked an intimate connection with audiences across the country from her rigorous touring schedule (in fact, she was waiting to board a flight to a show when she learned of the nomination).

But for the album that garnered her first Grammy nomination, she wanted to switch gears. “So Glad to Know You,” Sunshine’s fifth album, dropped last summer and boasts the radio hit “I Wonder.” The project was conceived at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was the first album that I have done where I allowed someone else in my space, other than Dana, in such a close way. So, I didn’t play keys on this album at all. I didn’t produce anything” (drummer and vocalist Jamison Ross was a key producer). “Of course, I was a part of it — to say ‘I like this’ and ‘Like that.’ This marks the first time that I allowed a collaboration in that way. It’s important to note that because, as a woman in the industry, it was always important for me to have my hands on everything.”

Singer-songwriter Rob Milton was one of several collaborators on the album. He wrote the hook for “I Wonder.” Milton was a longtime fan of Sunshine before working with her.

“My favorite song by her is (2014’s) ‘See You When I Get There,’ which is a beautiful song that she wrote about her brother who’s LGBTQ, as well as I am,” Milton said. “Seeing so much of her life really drew me to her, and for us to be connected in this way now is divine.”

For Sunshine, the album is not just about welcoming collaboration but also celebrating each phase of her journey. She’s, as the album title suggests, so glad to simply know and embrace who she is while reaching new heights.

“There is an understanding I have of who I am and what my purpose is, and I’m able to remove all those things that are not serving me, whether it’s other people’s thoughts, what they expect of me.”

Credit: Bita Honarvar

Credit: Bita Honarvar

As the ceremony nears, Sunshine is mum about details on what she’ll wear but teases that it’ll be “something bright.” She’s also thinking about the recent Los Angeles wildfires and those recovering from the devastation. Sunday’s ceremony will raise funds for wildlife relief efforts and honor first responders.

“We always say music brings everybody together, right? Now, you’re forced to really do so. We are going to L.A. to celebrate music and really come together. I think that’s what we’re called to do right now and put our actions where our words have been.”

TV preview

2025 Grammy Awards

8 p.m. Sunday. Watch live via CBS or Paramount+.