CECE WINANS

'Priscilla Winans Love' (born on October 8, 1964), known professionally as 'CeCe Winans', is a prominent American gospel singer and winner of numerous Grammy Awards and Stellar Awards.

Contents

Early life

Musical career

Career Launch

Solo career

PureSprings Gospel

Discography

Solo Albums

Other Albums

Albums With BeBe Winans

Non Album Tracks

Videography

Concerts

Music Videos

Television Appearances

Other

Books

Awards

Personal life

External links

See also

References

Early life

CeCe Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan to David and Delores ("Mom" and "Pop") Winans. She's the eighth of ten children, and the oldest of three girls. She grew up in Detroit in a low income household. (Prior to Cece's birth, the family had lived in a housing project). Her family attended a Pentecostal church in Detroit. Instead of receiving Christmas presents, the family would put on a gospel music show every holiday season at Mercy College (now part of the University of Detroit Mercy) in Detroit. CeCe was very active in her church. Most notably, she sang on her church choir, though all of her church's youth were required to sing in the choir.

Musical career

Career Launch

Main articles: BeBe & CeCe Winans

Around the time that Winans had been accepted to college, the television show "The PTL Club" (now known as "Praise the Lord") took interest in her and her brother BeBe (Benjamin) as potential background vocalists for the show. After going to North Carolina to audition, they were accepted. BeBe and CeCe moved to the PTL campus in North Carolina, and were on the show for about five years. It was during this time that CeCe met her husband, Alvin Love Jr from Detroit.
During their time on The PTL Club, BeBe & CeCe recorded ''Lord Lift Us Up'' on PTL's label following popular demand on the show. The success yielded another effort, "Feels Like Heaven (With You)". Eventually the success warranted another effort: a full length album.

BeBe and CeCe left PTL to pursue their singing career and recorded four more albums including ''Heaven'', ''Different Lifestyles'', ''First Christmas'', and ''Relationships''. In 1995, BeBe and CeCe split up to pursue solo careers and other interests. They would later release a reunion album in early 2008.

Solo career

CeCe began her solo career with the Gold certified album ''Alone in His Presence''. It was released in 1995 and earned her a Grammy Award and 2 Dove Awards including the coveted Female Vocalist of the Year, an honor she was bestowed with again in 1997. The album was a more traditional affair with a good amount of hymns and other traditional songs but Producer Keith Thomas did add a contemporary flair to some of the tracks which was a well received.
Winans' next release, ''Everlasting Love'' was released in 1998. The album adopted a more slick R&B flair which was done intentionally as CeCe had stated that she wanted young people to know that they can have enjoyable, contemporary, "clean" music. The song "On That Day" was written and produced by R&B singer Lauryn Hill.
Later that year, Winans released ''His Gift''. The holiday album was a mixture of new and old holiday songs. Most of the older songs were reworked to obtain a "smooth R&B" feel.
In 1999, Winans started her own label, "PureSprings Gospel". Her first endeavor on the label, ''Alabaster Box'' (1999), was a more worship oriented disc. Some production of the disc was done by gospel singer and musician, Fred Hammond. CeCe stated that it was an "experimental" album for the new label. It did, however, include a guest appearance of the Gospel R&B group, Take 6. The song was supposed to be a promotional song for the group but appeared on the album nonetheless.
The following year, Cece released a concert VHS titled ''Live At The Lambs Theater in New York''. The concert contained songs from the aforementioned albums. The VHS-only release did not receive much attention.
Winans released her next album, the self titled ''CeCe Winans'', in 2001. The album adopted a more urban flair with a mixture of Pop, R&B, and Hip Hop. The album itself did rather well. The single "Anybody Wanna Pray" included a guest appearance of the Gospel Hip Hop group GRITS. The second single, "Say A Prayer" crossed over into the CCM market with its pop sound.
Winans took a two year break from releasing albums and came back in 2003 with her worship CD, ''Throne Room''. The CD featured a mix of praise and worship songs. In addition, the first 1,000 copies were issued with a bonus CD that contained exclusive interviews with the artist, the making of the CD, some touring footage, and the music video "More Than What I Wanted" (which came from the 2001 release).
The free admission, 25 city tour from ''Throne Room'' warranted a DVD release of the concert. In 2004, Winans released ''Live In the Throne Room'' which contained tracks from all of Winans' albums. The concert itself took place in Tennessee near CeCe's place of residence.
Winans' 7th album, ''Purified'', was released in 2005. Keith Thomas again did the production, in conjunction with CeCe's nephew, Mario Winans. Winans' son Alvin III helped with writing some of the songs. CeCe's younger sisters, Angie and Debbie, also appeared on the album. The album was more of a contemporary disc with a few slow ballads.
As early as 2004, Winans has eluded to a renuion album with her brother, BeBe. This has been confirmed on her website and the album is scheduled for release in early 2008.^[1]
CeCe has received 9 Grammy Awards, 21 Grammy Nominations, 18 Dove Awards and numerous Stellar Awards.
CeCe's collection of Top Ten R&B radio hits include "Count on Me", her duet with Whitney Houston, from the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. The single went gold in the U.S. and hit #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart and landed at the #8 position on the Billboard R&B Singles charts.
Most of her nine siblings, and her parents, are professional gospel singers. ''(See Winans family)''
CeCe has authored two books: ''On A Positive Note'', a collection of her memoirs released August 1, 2000; and ''Throne Room: Ushered Into the Presence of God'', a devotional released January 1, 2004 and co-authored with Claire Cloninger.
CeCe and her brother BeBe Winans performed their classic song "Hold Up The Light" with Melinda Doolittle on the 2007 American Idol finale. Doolittle is one of CeCe's former background vocalists.
Winans' label, PureSprings Gospel, recently announced that she is in the studio recording another solo album (in addition to her upcoming album with BeBe Winans) The album is expected to be released in late 2007.^[2]. In early 2006, Winans stated that her next album after ''Purified'' would be a holiday album^[3], but PureSprings Gospel has not yet confirmed this. On her website, Winans confirmed her next studio album would be called ''Hymns at Heart''.

PureSprings Gospel

Main articles: PureSprings Gospel

When Pioneer Records folded in 1998, CeCe Winans decided to mint her own record label, initially called WellSpring Gospel and distributed by her former label home, Sparrow Records. Winans appointed Demetrius Stewart to oversee the label. After two releases, the label changed its name to PureSprings Gospel and its distribution to INO/Epic Records.
In addition to four of CeCe Winans' solo albums, the label has released sets by other artists, beginning with Vicki Yohe (with 2003's ''I Just Want You'' and 2005's ''He's Been Faithful'') and continuing with former Commissioned frontman Marcus Cole's solo debut ''Write My Song''. Other releases include The Born Again Choir and a set of hymns from Winans family matriarch Delores "Mom" Winans.
In an interview, Winans stated that she plans to sign three more artists by the end of 2007.^[4]
PureSprings Gospel also announced that her son, Alvin Love III, will be releasing an album on the label. Alvin co-wrote several songs on her album ''Purified'' as well as choreographing for her 2004 DVD release ''Live from the Throne Room''. Winans also recently annouced that her brother ''Marvin Winans'' will be releasing an album on the label entitled "Alone but Not Alone" which is slated for release on September 15 2007. ^[5]

Discography

Solo Albums

''' Alone In His Presence ''' (Sparrow)

★ Released: October 10, 1995

★ Chart positions: Billboard 200 #124^[6]

★ Singles: "Every Time"
''' Everlasting Love ''' (Pioneer Music Group/Atlantic)

★ Released: March 17, 1998

★ Chart positions: Billboard R&B #35, Billboard 200 #107

★ Singles: "Well Alright" (Billboard R&B #47),^[7] "What About You", "Slippin"
''' His Gift ''' (Pioneer Music Group/Atlantic)

★ Released: September 15, 1998
''' Alabaster Box ''' (WellSpring Gospel)

★ Released: October 19, 1999

★ Chart positions: Billboard R&B #55, Billboard 200 #129

★ Singles: "It Wasn't Easy", "King Of Kings (He's A Wonder)"
''' CeCe Winans ''' (WellSpring Gospel)

★ Released: June 19, 2001

★ Chart positions: Billboard R&B #48, Billboard 200 #116

★ Singles: "More Than What I Wanted" (Billboard R&B #65), "Say A Prayer"
''' Throne Room''' (PureSprings Gospel)

★ Released: September 9, 2003

★ Chart positions: Billboard R&B #21, Billboard 200 #32

★ Singles: "Hallelujah Praise"
''' Purified ''' (PureSprings Gospel/INO/Epic/Sony)

★ Released: September 13, 2005

★ Chart positions: Billboard R&B #12, Billboard 200 #41

★ Singles: "All That I Need", "Pray", "Let Everything That Hath Breath" (Billboard Dance #8)
''' Hymns at Heart ''' (PureSprings Gospel/TBA)

★ Released: October 23 2007

★ Chart positions: TBA

★ Singles: TBD

Other Albums

''' CeCe Winans Presents The Born Again Church Choir '''

★ Released: 2003

★ Chart positions:

★ Singles:
''' CeCe Winans Presents Pure Worship ''' (EMI Gospel) ^[8]

★ Released: August 28, 2007

★ Chart positions: TBD

★ Singles: TBA
''' CeCe Winans Presents Kingdom Kidz '''

★ Released: August 28, 2007

★ Chart positions:

Albums With BeBe Winans

:''See BeBe & CeCe Winans Discography''

Non Album Tracks

★ Patti LaBelle: "Walking Away (featuring CeCe Winans)" (Umbrella, 2006)

★ CeCe Winans: "He Set My Life To Music" ''She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool'' (BNA, 2006)

★ BeBe Winans: "Tonight Tonight (featuring CeCe Winans)" (Motown, 2000)

★ Various Artists: "Humanity" ''The Prince of Egypt Soundtrack'' (Dreamworks, 1998)

★ CeCe Winans: "The River" ''The Prince Of Egypt: Inspirational'' (Dreamworks, 1998)

★ CeCe Winans: "All Is Well Tonight" ''God With Us: A Celebration Of Christmas Carols...'' (Sparrow, 1997)

★ CeCe Winans: "Take Me Back" ''Tribute: The Songs Of Andrae Crouch'' (Warner Alliance, 1996)

★ CeCe Winans & Whitney Houston: "Count on Me" (Arista, 1996)

★ CeCe Winans: "Rest In Me" ''Coram Deo II: People Of Praise'' (Sparrow, 1994)

Videography

Concerts

''' Live At The Lambs Theater in New York '''

★ Released: 2000

★ VHS Only

★ Recorded At: Lambs Theater in New York City
''' Live In The Throne Room '''

★ Released: 2004

★ DVD Only

★ Recorded At: Cornerstone Church in Brentwood, TN

Music Videos

★ "Count on Me" (Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans) (1996)^[9]

★ "Well Alright" (1998)^[10]

★ "More Than What I Wanted" (2001)^[11]

★ "Purified" (2006)^[12]

Television Appearances

''List includes acting appearances only, not interviews and/or performances''

★ CeCe's Place (aired on the Odyssey channel)

★ 7th Heaven ^[13]

★ Touched By an Angel ^[14]

★ Living Single

★ Doc

Other

''' Journeys In Black: CeCe Winans '''

★ Released: 2002

★ DVD Only

★ BET documentary of Cece Winans' life

Books

''' On A Positive Note '''

★ Released: August 1, 2000
''' Throne Room: Ushered Into The Prescense of God '''

★ Released: January 1, 2004

★ Co-Written With: Claire Cloniger
''' Always Sisters: Becoming the Princess You Were Created to Be '''

★ Released: July 17, 2007

★ Co-Written With: Claudia Mair Burney

Awards

★ Grammy for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female: "For Always" (1987)

★ Grammy Award for Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Female: "Don't Cry" (1989)

★ Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: ''Different Lifestyles'' (1991)

★ Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: ''Alone In His Presence'' (1995)

★ Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: ''CeCe Winans'' (2001)

★ Grammy for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: ''Purified'' (2006)

★ Grammy for Best Gospel Performance: "Pray" (2006)

★ Stellar for Best Music Video: "Purified" (2007)

★ Stellar for Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year (2007)

Personal life

CeCe now resides in Forest Hills, Tennessee^[15] (a suburb of Nashville) with her husband Alvin Love Jr and two children, Ashley and Alvin III. Winans homeschooled her kids in order to let them go on the road with her and to give them more time to get involved in their interests. Her move from Detroit in the early 1990s was influenced by her career. They attend Born Again Church in Nashville, where CeCe is on the worship team and her kids are involved in the drama ministry.
CeCe is a good friend of Whitney Houston as well as godmother to her child.^[16]
CeCe's children were featured in the BeBe & CeCe Winans music video "If Anything Ever Happened to You". Alvin III also appeared in the music video for "Well, Alright."
Around September 2004, Winans experienced what she thought was a flu but turned out to be a serious stomach infection and was hospitalized immediatly for surgery. Due to the extended recovory time, the second half of the ''Throne Room Tour'' was postponed to early 2005.^[17]

External links

★ www.cecewinans.com - Official CeCe Winans Internet site

★

See also

Winans, CeCe: ''On A Positive Note'' (August 1, 2000)

References

1. CeCe Winans Official Homepage
2. PureSprings Gospel Homepage
3. CeCe Winans Q&A
4. An Evening With CeCe Winans
5. MARVIN WINANS GOES SOLO ON CECE'S LABEL: PureSprings Gospel to release album in September
6. CeCe Winans Albums Chart History
7. CeCe Winans Singles Chart History
8. Amazon.com album listing
9. Count On Me Music Video
10. Well, Alright Music Video
11. More Than What I Wanted Music Video
12. The Official 22nd Annual Stellar Award Winners (2007)
13. CeCe Winans Official Biography
14. At Home With CeCe Winans Part 2- Ebony Magazine
15. At Home with CeCe Winans
16. On A Positive Note, Winans, CeCe, , , , ,
17. Purified by Fire LaTonya Taylor