In 2021, with nearly four decades of recording under her belt, 15-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans released her first live album. Believe for It. However, with the world still reeling from COVID, she and her team were forced to change the dynamics of the album's creation, recording the project in an intimate setting of about 50 people in Nashville.
For her new album, More than that, released April 26 via PureSprings Gospel/Fair Trade Services, Winans knew she wanted another chance to make a live album. This time, the project was recorded in downtown Nashville, Rockettown, with an audience of approximately 1,200 members.
“I wanted to experience the live audience,” says Winans Advertising sign. “The last record was powerful and God blessed it. But to hear the live audience on it, it takes it to a whole other place for me.”
As with her previous album, Winans juxtaposes classic worship songs with modern ones. On More than thatclassics like “Sanctuary” and “Oh the Blood of Jesus” are placed alongside modern worship fare — like Chris Tomlin's recent hit “Holy Forever,” Elevation Worship's “Worthy” and Maverick City's “Refiner” Music, as well as two songs written by Winans, the title track (featuring musician Todd Dulaney) and “Be Still and Know”.
Winans reunited with producer Kyle Lee, as well as co-producers Thomas Hardin, Jr. and Tyrone Jackson, for the new album. He notes that they carefully chose the twelve songs that make up the tracklist, with the intention of weaving an upbeat, happy message throughout the project.
“We had the opportunity to create a worship service more than a record, a season of worship that would connect the old with the new,” says Winans. “I know a lot of people don't listen to whole albums these days, but I like to create a piece that you can listen to from start to finish and you connect that thread all the way through.”
Both performing live and performing covers presented their own unique challenges in the album's recording process.
“You have to rehearse with the band and the singers and learn the songs,” says Winans, who is managed by MWS Group, which also manages CCM pioneer Michael W. Smith. “If I had my way, I'd learn the songs, tour the songs, then record — because then you're very familiar with the songs and the performance, you have an intimate feel for it. But I went in with a lot of prayer, asking God to help me remember everything, and I spent a lot of time with my producer and rehearsing so that when you're in front of that live audience, you're able to flow with the songs.”
Music has been a mainstay throughout Winans' life, as she began singing as part of the larger Winans family group, before CeCe joined her brother BeBe to form a duo. They released their first album, Lord lift us upin 1984. A few years later, they signed with Capitol Records and released their project in 1987 BeBe & CeCe Winans. The duo released numerous gospel hits such as “Lost Without You” and “I'll Take You There” (featuring Mavis Staples), before embarking on solo careers. In 1995, CeCe released her debut solo album, Alone in His Presence, which was certified Platinum by the RIAA. To date, he has released 11 solo studio albums.
The title track to Believe about it brought another hit for Winans, reaching the top 10 on the Christian Airplay chart in 2021 and becoming No. 1 for 12 weeks on the Hot Gospel Songs chart in 2022. She followed with her cover of Bethel Music's “Goodness of God.” In 2023, Winans also scored other year-end Billboard honors, including top female gospel artist. as well as a leading gospel song (“Goodness of God”).
Where “Believe For It” and “Goodness of God” were ballads, “That's My King,” the current single from her new album, frames worshipful lyrics with a danceable groove.
“Kyle brought me this song and when I heard it, I was like, 'This is incredible,'” Winans says of the song, which is currently at No. 25 on the Christian Airplay chart. “It's fun and upbeat, not only in the beat but also in its message.
“I think sometimes we forget because we associate church and God with being in a formal assembly. He must be respected, but he said in his presence, there is fullness of joy,” he continues. “This is not something to be silent about, but something to proclaim and share so that other people can have hope. And I think this song embodies all of that. “That's My King” reminds us that we have hope.”
That joyful spirit in the song is amplified when she performs it nightly on The Goodness' current tour, which runs through May.
“In our live show, we added pompoms. I say, “This is a blast. We should cheer this. It's a party,” he explains. “It's one of those songs that's contagious, so full of joy. It's like cooking a good meal. You put all the ingredients in there, then you mix it and you get the full benefit of the flavor.”
The album closes with “In a Little While,” a song written by Winans' son, Alvin Love III.
“It's a great, powerful message to end the album on,” says Winans. “It's another song that makes you want to dance, it's happy. This is one of the songs I played for Kyle because it's been years since then [Winans’ home church choir] It was recorded by Nashville Life and has an older, retro sound. That was a song that was like, “I don't know about that,” but I was like, “This is what we have to do.” That night we recorded it, everyone was jumping, singing, no one wanted to leave. He turned to me and said, “Oh my God, you're so right.”
Songs from More than that will likely be on the setlist when Winans brings the third annual Generations Live to Nashville's Belmont University on May 10-11. The conference will feature Joyce Meyer, Jackie Hill Perry, Dr. Anita Phillips, Sheryl Brady, Ashley Phillips, Andrea Mellini and Nashville Life Music.
“I think last year we saw four generations of women attend,” says Winans. “My family will be there. I am so thankful that I still have my mom. He is 87 and my daughter will speak this year. I am so proud of her. I can't wait to laugh. I can't wait to cry, to see generations come together.”
