Gospel singer CeCe Winans was interviewed by Belmont’s Harry Chapman Wednesday for the first “Insider’s View” of the fall semester in an appearance sponsored by the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and the Office of Spiritual Development. Winans–a former Belmont trustee who has won numerous Grammy, Dove and Soul Train awards, among others–discussed her successful career as a Gospel artist and offered words of wisdom to a room packed with students.
Coming from a very large family consisting of seven older brothers and two younger sisters, singing was a part of life in the Winans household. CeCe started her career singing with older brother Bebe, and the two had enormous success in the gospel music industry.
Winans accredits her success to her strong faith and says she felt the call of God early on in her life. “The foundation of my life and career has been staying faithful to the Word of God and faithful to God and his plan for my life. You know everything is going to be all right if you stay focused on him,” she said.
Winans sought to inspire the younger generation in the audience, noting that it is often easy in life to get so busy doing “good stuff” that people often leave the “great stuff” out. She discussed the importance of surrounding yourself with good people who will keep you grounded and always remembering to be true to who you are. “If it comes from the heart, it is going to touch the heart,” said Winans. “Celebrate the great things about yourself and believe in yourself.”
The idea for Winans Always Sisters Forever Brothers conference, which was held in the Curb Event Center in July, emerged from the idea of wanting to pour into the lives of the younger generation and encourage young people to include God in everyday life. She is also reuniting with her brother Bebe for the first time in 15 years for a new album that will be available Oct. 6.
–Story reported by Aileen Wark
