CeCe Winans: The Queen of Contemporary Gospel Music
CeCe Winans is a celebrated American gospel singer and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan. With over 12 million albums sold worldwide, she stands as one of the most awarded and best-selling gospel artists of all time.
Early career
Born Priscilla Marie Winans in 1964, she grew up in Detroit as the eighth of ten children in the legendary Winans family. Her professional journey began in the 1980s alongside her brother BeBe, forming the groundbreaking duo BeBe & CeCe Winans.
The duo signed with Capitol Records and their 1987 debut album, BeBe & CeCe Winans, fused contemporary R&B with gospel, reaching a mainstream audience. Their success laid a powerful foundation for CeCe's future solo work.
Breakthrough
CeCe Winans launched her definitive solo career in 1995 with the album Alone in His Presence on Sparrow Records. This project was a massive commercial and critical success, earning her first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.
The album was certified Platinum, a rare achievement for a gospel record. This solidified her status not just as a member of a famous family, but as a formidable and bankable solo artist in the music industry.
Key tracks
Alabaster Box — This powerful ballad from Alone in His Presence became a signature song and a staple in gospel music.
Count On Me — Her 1996 duet with Whitney Houston for the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack brought her voice to an enormous pop and R&B audience.
Heaven — The lead single from her 2005 album Purified earned Winans a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance.
Never Have to Be Alone — This 2008 hit featuring Marvin Winans topped the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart for several weeks.
Her prolific career includes numerous chart-topping gospel albums like Throne Room (2003) and For Always (2001). She has collaborated with artists across genres, including Gladys Knight, Josh Groban, and Toni Braxton. CeCe Winans has won over a dozen Grammy Awards and numerous Dove Awards throughout her decades-long career.
Fans of CeCe Winans also enjoy the music of BeBe Winans for their historic partnership and smooth vocal blend. The powerhouse vocals of Yolanda Adams represent a similar command of contemporary gospel. The inspirational songwriting of Kirk Franklin often aligns with Winans' musical messages. Listeners also appreciate the classic gospel roots of Shirley Caesar, a pioneer who paved the way.CeCe Winans' uplifting catalog is a mainstay on inspirational and gospel radio formats featured on this website. Her timeless hits receive consistent airplay on both traditional FM gospel stations and contemporary Christian music channels, connecting with listeners seeking music of faith and hope.
You can hear the inspiring music of CeCe Winans on various gospel and inspirational radio stations available through our network. Explore the stations on onairium.com to discover her powerful vocals and enduring songs in regular rotation.
