he reign of Grammy Award-winning gospel duo, BeBe & CeCe Winans' Still, is proving to be a chart-topping success as, "Close to You," the first single from their reunion album is currently #4 on Billboard Magazine's Hot Gospel Charts. "Close to You" has received critical acclaim and success for its soul-stirring, smooth sound and pristine vocals. The success has also paralleled to their second and current single, "Grace," as the record now holds the #9 chart position on Billboard Magazine's Hot Gospel Charts. "Grace," dubbed as Oprah Winfrey's "new favorite song" by the media mogul herself, was performed for the first time nationally on the syndicated show back on October 23, 2009. After a compelling performance fused with the impactful lyrics, "Grace," ignited a whirlwind causing the single to jump instantaneously to the #1 position on iTunes. Still, their first album in fifteen years, is available in stores and on Itunes now and was released on B&C Records in conjunction with Malaco Music Group.
"Close to You" is currently garnering crossover radio play on Urban Adult Contemporary and Gospel radio formats. "It has been 15 years since we've recorded an album together," says BeBe and CeCe, "and we feel extremely blessed to see our first single climb to the top. We couldn't have done it without our fans, radio and the support of Malaco Records. It's been a humbling experience to reflect on our journey and realize that the love and support that we've experienced over the years is still with us to this day."
Bebe penned the anthemic "Grace." The soft piano open meets the subtle guitar strums and penetrating percussion, while Bebe & Cece harmonize in what feels like a whisper. As they speak so pleasingly simply about God's undeserved favor, forgiveness, kindness and mercy, Bebe adds, "I am humbled by our fans, radio and everyone who has embraced us [Bebe & Cece] after 15 years."
Premiering 11 new BeBe & CeCe classics, Still also includes the heart wrenching second single "Grace," "Things" (featuring brother Marvin Winans), "Let It Be" (featuring Mary Mary) and "I Found Love" (Cindy's Song) which is destined to be the wedding song of the year. If you purchase the new album from Wal-Mart stores, buyers will receive a bonus track exclusively for all Wal-Mart consumers. Look for appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tavis Smiley Show, CNN and others.
On Friday, October 23, 2009, BeBe & CeCe Winans performed live on The Oprah Winfrey Show (http://www.oprah.com/media/20091023-tows-bebe-cece-winans-perform) and sang Oprah's new favorite song, "Grace," from their chart-topping reunion album, STILL. After the studio and television audience heard the remarkable story of an alleged armed robber who ended up kneeling in prayer with his victim, the powerful lyrics and impact of "Grace" has ignited a whirlwind with the single jumping almost instantaneously to the #1 position on iTunes.
It's not often that a lead news story can personify the lyrical content of a song, but the story of Angela Montez and Greg Smith has done just that. On October 19, 2009, what seemed like a normal day at an Indianapolis cash advance store became the true test of faith and a modern day example of grace. Montez was working when Smith entered the store, climbed over the counter and stuck a gun in her face. When she began to cry, the tide turned. Montez told Smith not to throw away his life and then began to pray. Soon after Smith also dropped to his knees and prayed with her for ten minutes. After hugging Montez, Smith then fled the store. While appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Smith stated that when he talked to Montez, he felt as though he was talking directly to "the Man upstairs."
"As I sat in the green room listening to this real life story, it was almost unbelievable to hear about a woman who exemplifies what the song 'Grace' is all about," says songwriter BeBe Winans. "Its easy to give grace to someone you know, but what Angela did was allow God's grace to be demonstrated through her life and as the song says, 'still love me when I've done wrong.' I hope this song will resonate in people's hearts and inspire all of us to realize the importance of grace in our everyday lives."
STILL entered the Billboard charts as the #1 Gospel and Christian album when it was released on October 6, 2009. The success of the new album was also paralleled on the digital side as it claimed the #1 position on iTunes and Amazon's Christian/Gospel charts. Proclaimed as "inspiring and uplifting" by the nation's number one newspaper, USA Today, the platinum selling, Grammy-Award winning duo also received a 2009 Soul Train nomination in the Best Gospel Male, Female or Group category and will perform "Grace" live when the newly revamped award show tapes in Atlanta, GA on November 3rd. The 2009 Soul Train Awards will premiere on the new Centric Network on Sunday, November 29th.
BEBE & CECE WINANS PERFORMING LIVE ON
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW
Friday, October 23, 2009
Please check your local listings
The platinum-selling Grammy Award-winning Gospel/R&B duo BeBe & CeCe Winans are soaring high on the charts this week as the pair’s critically acclaimed reunion album STILL, is proclaimed as “inspiring and uplifting” by the nation’s number one newspaper, USA Today.
Released on October 6, 2009, STILL is currently the country’s #1 Gospel album as it also rides high earning the #2 R&B/Hip-Hop album and #14 on the Top 200 album chart according to Billboard Magazine and Nielsen Sound Scan. The groundbreaking debut by the gospel dynasty has proven that they are a musical force to reckoned with no matter the genre of music. The sultry and melodic sound of BeBe & CeCe are heart-felt placing no boundaries on their fans as they are embraced by all who hear their message.
The success of the new album has paralleled on the digital side as it claims #1 on iTunes and Amazon Christian/Gospel charts in addition to owning the #1 Christian & Gospel (combined chart) album position according to Billboard.biz Overall STILL nabbed the #22 spot on the iTunes chart and #31 on Billboard’s Digital sales chart.
Proven to be an instant hit, the first single from the brother and sister duo “Close To You” so far has spent an astonishing five consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s Hot Gospel Charts with signs of continuing to remain the top seed. “Close to You” has received critical acclaim and sensation for its soul-stirring, smooth sound and pristine vocals. On the Urban Adult Contemporary chart the song is currently #12 and steadily climbing approaching a top #10 single on this chart.
A bona fide crossover success STILL will add to the growing list of albums from BeBe & CeCe that debuted in the Top 15 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums since the release of their first album 25 years ago.
The mass appeal of the single “Close To You”, is garnering extensive crossover response in Urban Adult Contemporary and Gospel radio formats. In part, the success of the heart-felt record is largely due to the constant airplay around the country from stations such as New York’s WBLS & KISS, Washington, D.C.’s WMMJ, Dallas’ KRNB, and Los Angeles’ KJLH along with a host of gospel stations nationwide.
No stranger to chart-topping success, BeBe & CeCe exclaim, “We are so thankful to God, our fans, radio, our record company, management and the media for continuing to embrace us after 15 years. This album has been received with so much love and attention and we’re truly humbled and so grateful”.
Premiering 11 new BeBe & CeCe classics, STILL also includes the heart wrenching second single “Grace,” “Things” (featuring brother Marvin Winans), “Let It Be” (featuring Mary Mary) and “I Found Love” (Cindy’s Song) which is destined to be the wedding song of the year. The musical duo have made recent appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, TBN, The Tavis Smiley Show, BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel & Lift Every Voice.
Be Sure To Catch BeBe & CeCe Winans Performing “Close To You” & “Grace” And “The Garden” by CeCe Winans TONIGHT ON TBN @ 10:00pm EST/9:00pm CST. *Check Local Listings*
The return of Grammy Award-winning gospel duo, BeBe & CeCe Winans, is proving to be a chart-topping success as, "Close to You," the first single from their highly anticipated album is currently #1 on Billboard Magazine's Hot Gospel Charts. "Close to You" has received critical acclaim and success for its soul-stirring, smooth sound and pristine vocals. Still, their first album in fifteen years, will be available in stores on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 and will be released on B&C Records in conjunction with Malaco Music Group. Pre-orders are currently available online via iTunes.
No stranger to chart-topping success, BeBe & CeCe are following the path they began more than 20 years ago when their self-titled debut album topped the R&B and inspirational charts with their debut single, "I.O.U. Me," and generated Grammy nominations, Dove and Stellar Gospel Awards. After the success of their debut album, BeBe & CeCe became the first Gospel pair to see their second album, Heaven, reach #1 on the Billboard sales charts in 1988 and also spawned two more hit singles with "Lost Without You" and "Celebrate New Life." In 1991, the dynamic duo released Different Lifestylesfeaturing the single "Addictive Love" and a cover of the Staples Singers classic, "I'll Take You There." Both singles topped the R&B charts.
"Close to You" is currently garnering crossover radio play on Urban Adult Contemporary and Gospel radio formats. "It has been 15 years since we've recorded an album together," says BeBe and CeCe, "and we feel extremely blessed to see our first single climb to #1. We couldn't have done it without our fans, radio and the support of Malaco Records. Its been a humbling experience to reflect on our journey and realize that the love and support that we've experienced over the years is still with us to this day. We can't wait for everyone to hear this album."
Premiering 11 new BeBe & CeCe classics, Still also includes the heart wrenching second single "Grace," "Things" (featuring brother Marvin Winans), "Let It Be" (featuring Mary Mary) and "I Found Love" (Cindy's Song) which is destined to be the wedding song of the year. If you purchase the new album from Wal-Mart stores, buyers will receive a bonus track exclusively for all Wal-Mart consumers. Look for upcoming appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tavis Smiley Show, CNN and others.
B&C Records in conjunction with Malaco Records is proud to announce the upcoming release of Still, the highly anticipated and eagerly awaited new studio album from the platinum-selling chart-topping award-winning gospel duo BeBe & CeCe Winans. Still will be available online and in stores on Tuesday, October 6.
Still is BeBe & CeCe’s first album in more than 15 years and is the reunion that has been on the lips of fans around the world since it was announced earlier this year. Since the their self-titled debut album in 1987, this chart-topping brother and sister duo topped the R&B and inspirational charts with their debut single, “I.O.U. Me,” and generated Grammy nominations, Dove and Stellar Gospel Awards. BeBe & CeCe were the first African-American artists to receive significant airplay on CCM radio stations and the second African American artists to receive the Dove Award in the Group of the Year category.
Premiering 11 new BeBe & CeCe classics, Still includes the album’s recently released lead single, “Close to You” which has received critical acclaim and success for its soul-stirring, smooth sound and pristine vocals. The video for the single was recently launched on Yahoo and can be viewed by logging onto http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos. Other tracks on Still include the heart wrenching “Grace,” “Things” (featuring brother Marvin Winans), “Let It Be” (featuring Mary Mary) and “I Found Love” (Cindy’s Song) which is destined to be the wedding song of the year.
With assistance from longtime producer and collaborator Keith Thomas, along with Warryn Campbell, Percy Bady, Peter Zizzo, Merv Warren and Mario Winans, BeBe & CeCe weave their love for God in a faith-fueled gospel sound that combines a tuneful blend of R&B, pop, soul, jazz and more.
Growing up in Detroit, MI, Benjamin “BeBe” Winans and Priscilla “CeCe” Winans were born into a home that birthed the first family of Gospel music. The Winans Family was led by a mother and father who taught their ten children the foundations of a Godly life and admonished them to use their voices for the glory of God. The success of their four brothers, The Winans, blazed a trail for BeBe & CeCe to create their own path of writing and performing music that would attract a legion of fans and change the face of Gospel music forever.
After the success of their debut album, BeBe & CeCe became the first Gospel pair to see their second album, Heaven, reach #1 on the Billboard sales charts in 1988 and also be certified Gold. The title track reached #12 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and also spawned two more hit singles with “Lost Without You” and “Celebrate New Life.”
In 1991, the dynamic duo released Different Lifestyles featuring the single “Addictive Love” and a cover of the Staples Singers classic, “I’ll Take You There.” Both singles topped the R&B charts. From there, BeBe & CeCe released two more albums and after an amazing run of smash hits and albums, BeBe & CeCe went on to pursue incredibly successful solo careers.
With a phenomenal career that has spanned more than 20 years, BeBe & CeCe have become one of the most commercially successful gospel artists in the business. As a duo their accolades include five Grammy Awards, eight Dove Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, one Soul Train Award and over a dozen Stellar Awards. They have also racked up 12 chart topping R&B singles, as well as numerous #1 singles on Christian AC and CHR radio, three gold albums and one platinum album.
In conjunction with the release of Still, the BeBe & CeCe Reunion Tour will criss-cross the country later this year.
BeBe & CeCe Winans Release Single on iTunesMulti-platinum selling R&B/Gospel Superstars BeBe & CeCe Winans are together again ready to release their first album together in over 15 years. As fan anticipation mounts, BeBe and CeCe have released their single Close to You on ITunes so fans can get a taste of what is to come.
As of June 30, diehard followers and newcomers alike can experience what many have been waiting for, a sample of BeBe and CeCe's forthcoming project. The Close To You single has already received rave reviews across the airwaves and for those who have yet to experience the chemistry this dynamic duo has, hold on to your seat!
Beginning their career together in 1987, this dynamic duo has garnered many successes with the crossover hits "Heaven", "Addictive Love", "I'll Take You There" and "I'm Lost Without You".
BeBe and CeCe's 20 year career in music includes multiple platinum and gold albums in both the Gospel and R&B music genres, numerous awards including 5 Grammy Awards, 8 Doves Awards, over 12 Stellar Awards, 2 NAACP Awards, 12+ charting R&B singles, and countless #1 Christian and Gospel radio singles.
BeBe and CeCe are planning their Reunion Tour for Fall 2009. It's a date you won't want to miss. Keep watching for details.
Industry trailblazer and visionary, CeCe Winans, will host her youth conference for the 4th year on July 24-25 at the Curb Events Center on the Belmont University Campus in Nashville, TN. After a year hiatus to re-structure the highly popular youth gathering, Winans is back on track and focused on her mission to invest into our future leaders. Founder and conference creator, Winans announced earlier this year that the two-day gathering will now be broadened to include and equip our young men preparing them for their tomorrow. The newly titled conference, Always Sisters, Forever Brothers was birthed to reach youth across the board.
“Our goal and mission is to educate, motivate and re-direct the life choices of our teens and young women and men. This year we are thrilled to include our brothers in our journey of learning and discovery,” says CeCe Winans.
Sponsored by Verizon Wireless and Mercy Ministries, over 5,000 youth ranging from ages 13-26 are expected to attend this year’s conference joining celebrities, noteworthy guest speakers and world renown pastors who will tackle controversial issues facing young adults such as the AIDS epidemic, teen suicide, teen pregnancy, fatherless families and more. Guest speakers include: Tony Dungy (Coach), Jentezen Franklin, Kimberly Daniels, Nancy Alcorn, R.A. Vernon, Bishop Horace Hockett and Mom Winans. Other conference highlights include the “Sisters and Brothers Fashion Show,” featuring hottest trends and styles, and Teen Mother’s Luncheon, a sisterhood luncheon designed to focus attention on the challenges faced by young mothers and a dinner for the men.
Closing the conference on a positive, uplifting note will be a star studded gospel concert hosted by CeCe Winans. Open to the public, the concert will feature musical performance from Grammy Award winning gospel duo Mary Mary, Stellar Award hip-hop artist Da’T.R.U.T.H. , R&B gospel sensation 21:03, critically acclaimed worship and praise leaders The Katinas, Anthony Evans and Nia Allen and Florida’s own dance sensation Chenaniah Dancers.
“We are proud to be hosting this year’s conference and continue our efforts to aid our youth with survival skills in today’s world. As we celebrate change and its progression in our country, it is important now more than ever to inspire our youth to succeed, “ says Winans.
For more information and sponsoring opportunities or to purchase concert tickets, visit www.alwayssistersforeverbrothers.com
Grammy Award winning Gospel artist, CeCe Winans is set to kick off The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour in Dallas, TX on May 8. Multiple Stellar Award winning artist J Moss will accompany Winans on the nine city concert tour. Tickets to the gospel music concert are free. This is the third year of the popular gospel music tour and has previously featured Smokie Norful, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Kierra Sheard and Myron Butler and Levi.
For more information about tour dates, locations and tickets visit McDonald's, and get your tickets today while supplies last.
Jordin Sparks, former back-up singer for Michael W. Smith, was crowned this year's American Idol last night on a 2 hour long special featuring music industry legends performing alongside previous American Idol hopefuls.
Melinda Doolittle, a backup singer from Nashville and a top 3 contestant in Season 6 of American Idol, shared the stage with gospel legends BeBe and CeCe Winans. The trio sang "Hold Up the Light," wowing the packed crowd at the Kodak Theater.
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - In October 2001, a few short weeks after terrorist actions brought down the World Trade Center in New York City, a concert tour featuring Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans hit the road to begin a previously arranged tour. Always scheduled as a celebration and a time to spread the gospel through song, the tour also became a time of healing and prayer. America was ailing, and it needed voices of solace, relief and consolation. By the end of the tour, word spread throughout gospel circles that Donnie and CeCe had, indeed, accomplished the goal of beginning the healing process.
Fast-forward to September, 2006, and America will again experience the thrill of a very special Donnie McClurkin & CeCe Winans concert tour. Beginning September 7, in Buffalo, New York, “An Evening with Donnie & CeCe” kicks off an ambitious multi-city tour that will capture the celebratory music this dynamic duo has generated for millions of fans.
Sponsored by World Vision, L’Oreal’s Soft Sheen Carson Division, and Feed the Children, An Evening with Donnie & CeCe features music from each artist’s vast catalogue. McClurkin’s current CD, Psalm, Hymns and Spiritual Songs (Zomba/Verity) was recently certified platinum by the RIAA. Winans’ Purified CD (Sony/Pure Springs Gospel/INO) continues to be a favorite and remains on the Billboard Top 20 after 40 weeks on the Gospel charts.
Some of the perks concert attendees can expect is a giant screen that will allow full viewing of the concert, coupled with ample seating at all stops. Also, McClurkin is sponsoring a contest that will allow a lucky fan at each stop in the tour to sing with him on stage. Fans will be directed to his www.donnieradio.com site to submit, in writing , why they should win that spot on stage. “The Donnie McClurkin Show” recently launched in over 30 markets, five of which were top ten markets and is distributed by Superadio. “We’re going to have a night of continual worship, like you’ve never had before”, says McClurkin.
CeCe Winans is in for an intense 4th quarter as she not only preps for the multi-city tour, but also gears up for her 2nd annual Always Sisters Conference on August 4th & 5th at The Curb Event Center on the Belmont University Campus in Nashville, TN. Log onto www.alwayssisters.com for more details. Winans will make two trips to South Africa this year, in August and again in December, for a concert with her brother BeBe. As for the Donnie & CeCe tour Winans says, “we’re excited about this tour, we want you to bring your family and friends out and enjoy a night with us.”
