Priscilla Marie Winans Love, known professionally as CeCe Winans, (born October 8, 1964) is an American gospel singer, who has sold over 12 million records worldwide and won 12 Grammy Awards. She is the best-selling female gospel artist of all time, as of 2015.
Early life
CeCe Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Delores and David ("Mom and Pop") Winans, on October 8, 1964.
Solo career
CeCe began her solo career with the Platinum certified album Alone in His Presence. It was released in 1995 and earned her a Grammy Award and two Dove Awards, including the Female Vocalist of the Year, an award she earned again in 1997. Winans' next release, the Gold certified Everlasting Love was released in 1998 and featured Winans highest to date Billboard charting solo singles "Well Alright" and "Slippin". The song "On That Day" from the album was written and produced by R&B singer Lauryn Hill. Later that year, Winans released His Gift a holiday album. In 1999, Winans' started her own recording company, "PureSprings Gospel". Her first album on the label was Alabaster Box in 1999. Some production of the disc was done by Gospel singer and musician, Fred Hammond. It included a guest appearance by Take 6. In 2000 Cece released a concert VHS titled Live at the Lambs Theater in New York. The concert contained songs from her previous albums. Winans released her next album, the self-titled CeCe Winans, in 2001. The single "Anybody Wanna Pray" included a guest appearance by GRITS. The second single, "Say A Prayer" crossed over into the CCM market. Winans took a two-year break from releasing albums and returned in 2003 with Throne Room. 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). In 2004, the 25-city tour Throne Room with the group Anointed featured free admission and was followed with a DVD release of the concert recorded in Tennessee near CeCe's place of residence. Live in the Throne Room contained tracks from all of Winans' albums. Around September 2004, Winans experienced what she thought was a flu but turned out to be a serious stomach infection and was hospitalized immediately for surgery. Due to the extended recovery time, the second half of the Throne Room Tour was postponed to early 2005. Winans' seventh album Purified was released in 2005. Producers on board for the project were longtime BeBe & CeCe collaborator Keith Thomas, and CeCe's nephew Mario Winans. Winans' son Alvin III also co-writes several songs on the album and younger sisters Angie and Debbie Winans make an appearance as well. 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 was certified Gold in the US and reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 on the Adult Contemporary chart and No. 8 on the Billboard R&B Singles charts. Winans released her eighth album, Thy Kingdom Come on April 1, 2008, featuring the single "Waging War". On October 6, 2009, a BeBe & CeCe reunion album named Still was released. It is the ninth album released by the brother / sister duo. The album was released under Malaco Records and features collaborations with Marvin Winans and contemporary gospel sisters duo Mary Mary. On December 23, 2010, Cece along with Bebe Winans & Mary Mary, featuring the West Angeles Choir, performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. From 2012-2014, Winans was a judge on BET's gospel singing competition, Sunday Best, along with her brother Bebe.
Personal life
CeCe now resides in Brentwood, Tennessee (a suburb of Nashville) with her husband Alvin Love and two children, Ashley Rose and Alvin Love III. Her 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." She and her husband Alvin Love II pastor Nashville Life Church in Nashville, where they serve as the lead servants and their children are involved in the ministry. CeCe was a good friend of Whitney Houston and godmother to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. She performed "Don't Cry for Me" and "Jesus Loves Me" at Houston's funeral, at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey on February 18, 2012. Winans is also a good friend of Bridget E. Hilliard, co-pastor of New Light Christian Center (Houston, Austin, Beaumont, Texas).
Books
CeCe has authored three 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. Always Sisters: Becoming the Princess You Were Created to Be, released on July 17, 2007 and co-written with Claudia Mair Burney.
Discography
See also BeBe & CeCe Winans discography
Solo albums
Other albums
Guest appearances and soundtracks
1994: "Rest in Me" Coram Deo II: People Of Praise (Sparrow) 1996: "Count On Me" with Whitney Houston Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack(Arista) 1996: "Take Me Back" Tribute: The Songs Of Andrae Crouch (Warner Alliance) 1997: "All Is Well Tonight" God With Us: A Celebration Of Christmas Carols... (Sparrow) 1998: "The River" The Prince Of Egypt: Inspirational (DreamWorks) 1998: "Humanity" The Prince of Egypt Soundtrack (DreamWorks) 2000: "Tonight Tonight" BeBe Winans (featuring CeCe) (Motown) 2006: "He Set My Life To Music" Barbara Mandrell She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool (BNA) 2006: "Walking Away" The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle (Umbrella) 2008: "Right Now (We Need Another)" BeBe & CeCe Winans with Vince Gill and Wynonna Judd (Zomba Recording)
Videography
Concert
Music videos
1996: "Count On Me" (Whitney Houston & Winans) 1998: "Well Alright" 2001: "More Than What I Wanted" 2006: "Purified"
Television appearances
This list does not include interviews or musical performances. 1994: Martin (episode: "Go Tell It on the Martin") 1997: Living Single (episode: "Oh, Solo Mio") 1997–99: CeCe's Place (on the Odyssey Channel) 2002: 7th Heaven (episode: "The Known Soldier") 2002: Doc (episode: "The Price of a Miracle") 2003–: Praise the Lord (occasional guest host) Other
Awards and nominations
CeCe has received 12 Grammy Awards, 21 Grammy Award nominations, 23 Dove Awards and 15 Stellar Awards (as well as numerous nominations). CeCe Winans is the most awarded female gospel singer in the industry.
See also
The Winans Family
References
Works cited
Winans, CeCe: On A Positive Note (August 1, 2000)
External links
Official website August 2008 Cece Winans Interview (BlackGospel.com) CeCe Winans at AllMusic CeCe Winans discusses On the Move curriculum
Goodness Of God
- CeCe Winans
The Healing Part
- CeCe Winans
Believe For It
- CeCe Winans
Without Love
- CeCe Winans
Stand
- Donnie McClurkin - Marvin Winans - CeCe Winans
Holy Forever
- CeCe Winans
Fire
- CeCe Winans
Silent Night
- CeCe Winans
Alabaster Box
- CeCe Winans
Take Me Back
- CeCe Winans
Hey Devil!
- CeCe Winans
I Have A Savior
- CeCe Winans
It Wasn't Easy
- CeCe Winans
I Have A Father
- CeCe Winans
For Love Alone
- CeCe Winans
I Surrender All
- CeCe Winans
Dancing in the Spirit
- CeCe Winans
Unrestrained
- CeCe Winans
He's Never Failed Me Yet
- CeCe Winans
More
- CeCe Winans
Life
- CeCe Winans
Heavenly Father
- CeCe Winans
Just Like You, Jesus
- CeCe Winans
Never Have To Be Alone
- CeCe Winans
No Greater
- CeCe Winans
I Am
- CeCe Winans
Shepherd
- CeCe Winans
Holy Spirit, Come Fill This Place
- CeCe Winans
Mercy said No
- CeCe Winans
One and the Same
- CeCe Winans
No One
- CeCe Winans
What About You
- CeCe Winans
Jesus, You're Beautiful
- CeCe Winans
Blood Medley
- CeCe Winans
A Place Like This
- CeCe Winans
Listen With Your Heart
- CeCe Winans
Million Miles
- CeCe Winans
All In Your Name
- CeCe Winans
Faithful
- CeCe Winans
Because of You
- CeCe Winans
Pray
- CeCe Winans
Run to Him
- CeCe Winans
Well, Alright
- CeCe Winans
Never Lost
- CeCe Winans
A Heart Like Yours
- CeCe Winans
Praise Medley
- CeCe Winans
No One Else
- CeCe Winans
Throne Room
- CeCe Winans
He's Not On His Knees Yet
- CeCe Winans
Forever
- CeCe Winans
Feel The Spirit
- CeCe Winans
Just Come
- CeCe Winans
A Little More
- CeCe Winans
Instruments of Your Peace
- CeCe Winans
King of Kings (He's a Wonder)
- CeCe Winans
More than what I wanted
- CeCe Winans
You're the One
- CeCe Winans
I Will
- CeCe Winans
Come On Back Home
- CeCe Winans
It Ain't Over
- CeCe Winans
Looking Up
- CeCe Winans
Falling In Love
- CeCe Winans
Just To Be Close To You
- CeCe Winans
Mercy Said No
- CeCe Winans
Say a Prayer
- CeCe Winans
Always Sisters
- CeCe Winans
We Welcome You (Holy Father)
- CeCe Winans
Giving Season
- CeCe Winans
Exalted Praise
- CeCe Winans
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- CeCe Winans
Hallelujah To The King
- CeCe Winans
Comforter
- CeCe Winans
Marvelous
- CeCe Winans
O Holy Night
- CeCe Winans
I Am Yours
- CeCe Winans
Test of Time
- CeCe Winans
How Great Is Our God - How Great Thou Art
- CeCe Winans
Just Like That
- CeCe Winans
For Always
- CeCe Winans
Away In a Manger
- CeCe Winans
Tonight Tonight
- CeCe Winans
The River
- CeCe Winans
You're So Holy
- CeCe Winans
Out My House
- CeCe Winans
Looking Back At You
- CeCe Winans
Peace From God
- CeCe Winans
Glory to the King
- CeCe Winans
I Do Worship
- CeCe Winans
I'll Live for You
- CeCe Winans
The Wind
- CeCe Winans
Blessed, Broken, & Given
- CeCe Winans
Anybody Wanna Pray
- CeCe Winans
How Great Thou Art
- CeCe Winans
Better Place
- CeCe Winans
What About You
- CeCe Winans
Worthy of It All
- CeCe Winans
On That Day
- CeCe Winans
Go Tell It On the Mountain
- CeCe Winans
Oh Holy Place
- CeCe Winans
Thirst For You
- CeCe Winans
Mamma's Kitchen
- CeCe Winans
Let Them Fall in Love
- CeCe Winans
All Is Well Tonight
- CeCe Winans
I Love You More Each Day
- CeCe Winans
Overture
- CeCe Winans
Come Fill My Heart
- CeCe Winans
It's All About You
- CeCe Winans
You Will
- CeCe Winans
I Promise (Wedding Song)
- CeCe Winans
His Strength Is Perfect
- CeCe Winans
More Than Just a Friend
- CeCe Winans
I've Got Joy
- CeCe Winans
Blessed Assurance
- CeCe Winans
Higher Place of Praise
- CeCe Winans
Fill My Cup
- CeCe Winans
Jesus You Are Beautiful
- CeCe Winans
Let Everything That Has Breath
- CeCe Winans
I'm Lost Without You
- CeCe Winans
He's Concerned
- CeCe Winans
Worthy
- CeCe Winans
It's Gonna Get Better
- CeCe Winans
Holiness Is Right
- CeCe Winans
Purified
- CeCe Winans
Do You Hear What I Hear?
- CeCe Winans
Alone in his Presence
- CeCe Winans
Bring Back the Days of Yea & Nay
- CeCe Winans
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- CeCe Winans
Love of My Heart
- CeCe Winans
All About You
- CeCe Winans
Slippin'
- CeCe Winans
You Are Loved
- CeCe Winans
Hunger
- CeCe Winans
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- CeCe Winans
He's Always There
- CeCe Winans
Why Me
- CeCe Winans
Oh Thou Most High
- CeCe Winans
Bless His Holy Name
- CeCe Winans
Colorful World
- CeCe Winans
The Grace of The Father
- CeCe Winans
Hallelujah Praise
- CeCe Winans
Feliz Navidad - O Holy Night
- CeCe Winans
Come Jesus Come
- CeCe Winans
Take My Life (Holiness)
- CeCe Winans
What A Child
- CeCe Winans
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
- CeCe Winans
Alone In the Presence
- CeCe Winans
Hallelujah Praise (The Highest Praise)
- CeCe Winans
Agnus Dei
- CeCe Winans
Count On Me
- CeCe Winans
Thy Will Be Done
- CeCe Winans
Waging War
- CeCe Winans
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- CeCe Winans
The Wind (Tears For You)
- CeCe Winans
The Coast Is Clear
- CeCe Winans
Every Time
- CeCe Winans
Great is Thy Faithfulness
- Carrie Underwood - CeCe Winans
This World Will Never Be The Same
- CeCe Winans
All That I Need
- CeCe Winans
It's Christmas
- CeCe Winans
Feel The Sprirt
- CeCe Winans
Christmas Star
- CeCe Winans
He's Brought Joy To The World
- CeCe Winans
Something's Happening!
- CeCe Winans
Lowly
- CeCe Winans
Nobody But You
- CeCe Winans
Blessed, Broken and Given
- CeCe Winans
That's My King
- CeCe Winans
Everlasting Love
- CeCe Winans
By Thy Blood (Worthy Is The Lamb)
- CeCe Winans
King Of Glory
- CeCe Winans
Bring Back The Days Of Yea And Nay
- CeCe Winans
Believe For It (Eu Creio)
- CeCe Winans
Rest In Me
- CeCe Winans
Albums & Songs
- Lord and Friend
- Be Still and Know
- Too Late To Lose
- Oh The Blood Of Jesus
- Holy Forever
- Worthy
- That's My King
- More Than This (feat. Todd Dulaney)
- Sanctuary
- Refiner
- Come Jesus Come
- Is He Worthy?
- In A Little While
- That's My King
- That's My King
- What Are We Waiting for?
- Holy Forever
- Holy Forever
- The Blood
- Remember Jesus (feat. Brian Courtney Wilson, Marvin Winans, CeCe Winans & Natalie Grant)
- Believe For It (Eu Creio)
- Believe For It
- Fire
- Never Lost
- Believe For It
- King of Glory
- Worthy Of It All
- Hunger
- Just To Be Close To You
- Shepherd
- Alabaster Box
- Jesus You're Beautiful
- I Have A Savior
- Goodness of God
- No Greater
- Never Lost
- Believe For It
- I Have A Savior
- No Greater
- I've Got Joy
- Believe For It
- Fire
- Never Lost
- Believe For It
- King of Glory
- Worthy Of It All
- Hunger
- Just To Be Close To You
- Shepherd
- Alabaster Box
- Jesus You're Beautiful
- I Have A Savior
- Goodness of God
- No Greater
- Never Lost
- Believe For It
- Never Lost
- Never Lost
- Something's Happening!
- This World Will Never Be the Same
- Giving Season
- The Grace of the Father
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Feliz Navidad / O Holy Night
- It's Christmas
- Silent Night
- Something's Happening!
- He Is Emmanuel (feat. Cece Winans)
- He's Never Failed Me Yet
- Run to Him
- Hey Devil!
- Peace from God
- Why Me
- Lowly
- Never Have to Be Alone
- Dancing in the Spirit
- Marvelous
- Let Them Fall in Love
- More Than What I Wanted
- Alabaster Box
- More
- Well, Alright
- Waging War
- For Always
- I Surrender All
- Everlasting Love
- His Strength Is Perfect
- Bring Back the Days of Yea & Nay
- More
- Well, Alright
- More Than What I Wanted
- Alabaster Box
- I Surrender All
- Waging War
- For Always
- Hallelujah Praise (The Highest Praise)
- Pray
- Everlasting Love
- It's Gonna Get Better
- The Healing Part
- What About You
- You Are Loved
- He's Concerned
- His Strength Is Perfect
- He's Always There
- Comforter
- Right Now (We Need One Another) [With Vince Gill and Wynonna Judd]
- Instruments of Your Peace (Intro)
- I Do Worship
- I Love You More Each Day
- Unrestrained
- A Little More
- I Am Yours
- All About You
- Faithful
- Take My Life (Holiness)
- I Will
- Agnus Dei
- How Great Is Our God/How Great Thou Art
- Holy, Holy, Holy
- Nobody But You
- We Welcome You (Holy Father)
- Forever
- Thy Will Be Done
- Worthy
- It Ain't Ova'
- Waging War
- Test of Time
- I'll Live for You
- Bless His Holy Name
- Oh Holy Place
- You're the One
- The Coast Is Clear
- Falling In Love
- Million Miles
- All That I Need
- Mamma's Kitchen
- You Will
- Pray
- All That I Need
- Just Like That
- You Are Loved
- Let Everything That Hath Breath
- Always Sisters
- I Promise (Wedding Song)
- Colorful World
- A Place Like This
- Purified
- He's Concerned
- Hallelujah To the King
- Jesus, You're Beautiful
- Throne Room
- How Great Thou Art!
- You're So Holy
- O Thou Most High
- By the Blood (Worthy Is the Lamb)
- Hallelujah To the King
- Thirst For You
- Come Fill My Heart
- Mercy Said No
- All In Your Name
- No One Else
- Hallelujah Praise (The Highest Praise)
- Just Like You Jesus
- A Heart Like Yours
- Blessed Assurance
- Well, Alright
- Life
- What About You
- Everlasting Love
- I Am
- Slippin'
- The Wind (Tears for You)
- Come On Back Home
- Feel the Spirit
- The Healing Part
- Listen With Your Heart
- On That Day
- Just Come
- Heavenly Father
- Anybody Wanna Pray
- Say a Prayer
- More Than What I Wanted
- Looking Back At You
- More Than Just a Friend
- No One
- For Love Alone
- Bring Back the Days of Yea & Nay
- Out My House
- Holy Spirit, Come Fill This Place
- It's Gonna Get Better
- Better Place
- Alabaster Box (Performance Track In Key of G/A)
- Alabaster Box (Performance Track In Key of E/Gb)
- Alabaster Box (Performance Track In Key of Bb/C)
- Alabaster Box
- Holy Spirit, Come Fill This Place (Performance Track In Key of Bb-Db E With Background Vocals)
- Holy Spirit, Come Fill This Place (Performance Track In Key of G-Bb-Db)
- Holy Spirit, Come Fill This Place (Performance Track In Key of Db-E-G)
- Holy Spirit, Come Fill This Place
- Bring Back the Days of Yea & Nay (Performance Track In Key of G With Background Vocals)
- Bring Back the Days of Yea & Nay (Performance Track In Key of E)
- Bring Back the Days of Yea & Nay (Performance Track In Key of Bb)
- Bring Back the Days of Yea & Nay
- Looking Back At You (Key C/E Performance Track With Background Vocals)
- Looking Back At You (Key a/Db Performance Track)
- Looking Back At You (Key Eb/G Performance Track)
- Looking Back At You
- Say a Prayer (Performance Track In Key of F/Ab With Background Vocals)
- Say a Prayer (Performance Track In Key of D/F)
- Say a Prayer (Performance Track In Key of Ab/B)
- Say a Prayer
- Fill My Cup
- King of Kings (He's a Wonder)
- It Wasn't Easy
- Alabaster Box
- Comforter
- Love of My Heart
- Without Love
- He's Not On His Knees Yet
- One and the Same
- Higher Place of Praise
- Blessed, Broken, & Given
- King of Kings (He's a Wonder) [Reprise]
- He's Brought Joy to the World
- O Holy Night
- Glory to the King
- Let's Celebrate Christmas
- Do You Hear What I Hear?
- What a Child
- Go Tell It On the Mountain
- Away In a Manger
- Christmas Star
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
- Overture
- Alone in his Presence
- I Surrender All
- Because of You
- His Strength Is Perfect
- Every Time
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- Praise Medley
- Blessed Assurance
- Blood Medley
- He's Always There
- Alone in his Presence (Reprise)