Gospel Singer CeCe Winans Performs at PUC

Christian and R&B recording artist CeCe Winans will perform in Pacific Union College's church sanctuary on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.

Winans, best known as half of the multi-award winning brother/sister duo BeBe & CeCe Winans, recently received a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album entitled "Alone In His Presence."

"Alone In His Presence" contains traditional hymns and ballads, a different taste from the R&B gospel tunes Winans has previously recorded. The record pays tribute to her most valued possessions--her family and her faith.

"The message of the whole album (is) to get alone in His presence ... and focus on what's really important," Winans said.

Winans, 31, has a career total of seven Grammy Awards, seven Christian music Dove Awards, five Stellar Awards, and three NAACP Image Awards since her debut with her brother BeBe in 1987.

She still plans to record and tour with her brother in the future. "We are still a duo," Winans said. "We just wanted to establish ourselves as individuals."

Winans hopes "Alone In His Presence" will cross the lines of race, color and denomination. "I just hope that everybody will be reached," she says. "There shouldn't be any boundaries, because worship is worship."

One of her favorite songs on the album is "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," an inspiring duet with her mother and musical role model. "I am so blessed to have her as a mom, besides being an incredible vocalist," says Winans. "It's because of her faithfulness that I am who I am today."