Cece Winans - Interview

It's hard to believe but it's already been eight years and six very successful albums later since CeCe Winans first embarked on an incredible journey as a soloist that would set her before presidents (Clinton's 2nd Inauguration), Popes (John Paul II) and all types of very important people in between.

At the heart of Mrs. Winans devoted popularity is the public's attraction to CeCe, generated by her endearing spirit and captivating smile that reveals something uniquely different about this woman whose life reads like a Cinderella story.

It's been a fairy tale journey for CeCe (born Priscilla Winans) that begins back in Detroit as the eighth of ten children to David and Delores Winans, better known as Mom & Pop Winans.

From her early days as a student beautician working at a kiosk in Detroit's Coney Island, to her gradual transition and successful days as a member of the brother/sister recording tandem - BeBe & CeCe, to her eventual illustrious solo career that would be highlighted with five Grammy Awards and eighteen Dove Awards, including the first African-American woman to receive a Dove Award, CeCe's ascent to fame and fortune is nothing less than spectacular.

With cameo appearances on the big-screen (Tootsie) and the small screen (Oprah, Rosie O'Donnell, Living Single), endorsements (K-Mart, Crest) and sold-out appearances in every city, CeCe Winans has transcended Gospel music and garnered universal appeal as an artist and public figure, placing herself in the coveted position of being the most successful female recording artist in Gospel music over the last twenty years.

CeCe has tempered her success by remaining faithful to what matters most in her life…her husband (Alvin Love), her children (Alvin, II & Ashley) and her church - (Born Again Church & Christian Outreach Ministries in Nashville). At thirty-something, her life has been an example of God's mysterious powers applied to someone wholly submitted to godly service.

Inspite of CeCe's remarkable humility and enormous grace, GospelCity is honored to spotlight this shining princess whose contributions to Gospel music and the Kingdom are second to none and deserving of acknowledgement.

Christopher Heron: It's been nearly three years since your self-titled album, what have you spent your quality time doing over these last three years?

CeCe Winans: I've been touring a bit since the other project, but other than that I love being at my home church - Born Again Church & Outreach Christian Ministries. I take advantage of that when I'm home; we're around our family and it's a wonderful thing for us.

CH: It would seem as though worship has become a focal point in your life…it's evident after one listen of your new album - Throne Room (Pure Springs Gospel) - that you have a heart for worship. Is this a particular burden that you have for the Body of believers?

CW: Yes, more so than ever. I didn't realize that a lot of people don't know the importance of worship or how to truly experience worship. They don't know how critical it is to be a true worshipper. The Bible says, "You must worship", so "must" means you don't have an option, it's important. Especially in the time we're living in because Jesus is soon to come and unless you're a true worshipper then you're not going to make it. It's very vital that everyone understand the importance of worship, so I do have a burden for the Body of Christ when it comes to worship.

CH: You possess a certain standard of excellence in your ministry; it is evident not only in your musical career but also in your presentation, both on and off the stage. Your righteousness radiates and I don't know if that is something that is the result of a spiritual purging you've undergone. You've set an example for many of your peers in the industry.

CW: I think that's just what I try to do as a believer; whether I was a known person onstage or not, I just think we should try to please Him. It's not about people but it's about Him and it is about how you represent Him. I do strive at that but I strive to do the same thing at home and it's important, so yes that is very important to me.

CH: It's hard to believe but it's been nearly eight years since you set off on your solo career; you've already released six albums. I'm sure fans of yours still ask for BeBe and the next duet album. Do you think of yourself as part of the Winans or do you now see yourself as a solo artist with a specific calling to your life?

CW: I see myself as both of those; I'm very much a part of the ministry of the family and I also see myself as BeBe and CeCe. I'm a part of that ministry and I really pray that we could get in and do some more things together. I know now as I look over the years what God has done; now that He has shaped me, molded me and prepared me to stand alone without my family. He's there and that's one of the greatest lessons I've had to learn, is to really just depend on Him. It's like the Lord just said, "You're going to trust me"; it's been a life-learning great experience for me to just trust Him.

CH: You've had the unique ability to minister to different types of people - Black & White, young and old, you've crossed many boundaries based on cultures, based on age, gender. What has been your talent or your gift to be able to minister to a cross section of people?

CW: I think it's just simply being who I am, but just trying to be like Jesus and doing what He has called me to do. It's very simple. I hear better sounding voices everyday and so many reasons for God not to use me but He chooses to use me and that's a wonderful thing for me, so I take every platform seriously and there's nothing special about me.

CH: Your music manages to transcend categories, prejudice and other boundaries; I wouldn't call it Gospel, I wouldn't call it Contemporary Christian. It's just God's music. It has this universal appeal. Why has your music overcome hurdles others have faced and ministers to a wider audience.

CW: I guess it's Jesus and my prayer is that the Lord orders my footsteps, gives me what I need and tells me how to sing it. I don't worry about what the latest is, what everybody else is doing because I'm so into doing what God has called me to do. My prayer is that I could have a heart like His; full of compassion and one that only does what the Father tells him to do. I'll end up in a place and sometimes I'll ask myself, "How did I get here?", "Why am I here God?" but it's just that my steps are ordered. I don't know where I'm going to be next year but I know I'll be in the center of His will because that's my prayer.

CH: Your remarkable journey has also called you to spearhead an independent label, how challenging is it and how rewarding is it to be both the artist and the executive producer?

CW: It is very rewarding, it's challenging sometimes but much more rewarding than challenging because when God does His thing, He does it well. I don't always understand how He's going to do it or when it's going to work out, so the way He allowed us to start our company was a remarkable story, He just opened up the door and the timing was perfect.

CH: You are the first artist on Wellspring Gospel; however, your next artist is following in your shadows, the very well respected Praise & Worship artist - Vicki Yohe; why did it make sense for her to be your next artist?

CW: Oh man, when we heard her on TBN the first time, we were just like "Wow." We heard her and said she's a blessing and then the next thing we heard, she was free from her label. One of the women that works for our company called her. When I found out she was a worshipper, my spirit connected with her right away. I said I'd love to have her and when we talked with her, she was excited and wanted to be a part of our recording family. So what can I say, I was blessed.

CH: I have one last question, CeCe. You're far removed from those early days back in Detroit, as the eighth of 10 children. How much influence did growing up in such a large household play? And, how influential was the Detroit church and Gospel scene on your ministry, since everyone knows how much talent flows in your town, particularly back in the early '80's?

CW: It has everything to do with me. First of all, my parents, who taught us to love God and to put Him first and that without Him you were nothing. That's the first thing I tell people. It has everything to do with what we're doing now. When you worship Him, you realize it's not all about you but it's about Him. It's not even about what He does but it's about who He is. So if we come together and show true worship for Him, then we're going to accomplish a lot of things and God will be able to flow freely in us.

CeCe Winans' latest CD - Throne Room (Pure Springs Gospel) - is currently in stores. For more information on CeCe Winans, visit her site at www.CeCewinans.com . Look for the exclusive Listening Party and Live Chat with CeCe Winans in October on GospelCity…Where Gospel Is.