Born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 8, 1964, Priscilla Marie “CeCe” Winans was the daughter of the well-known Winans musical family. From an early age, she was exposed to music and religion as the youngest daughter of gospel musicians David “Pop” Winans Sr. and Delores “Mom” Winans. She started singing in churches when she was a young girl, the eighth of ten children in a talented family.
BeBe & CeCe Winans Fame
The gospel duo BeBe & CeCe Winans was formed in 1984 by CeCe and her older brother BeBe Winans. Lord Lift Us Up was their debut album, and they went on to release a number of others, including the multi-platinum Different Lifestyles. With crossover R&B singles like “Lost Without You” and “Addictive Love,” the team became well-known and won numerous Grammy, Dove, and Stellar Awards.
Solo Breakthrough
Alone in His Presence, CeCe’s live worship record that sold over a million copies, marked the beginning of her solo career in 1995. She won two Dove Awards and a Grammy for it, solidifying her reputation as a voice with a significant influence.
She subsequently put forth a string of highly regarded solo albums:
- Everlasting Love (1998, Gold-certified, featuring “Well Alright” and “Slippin’”)
- Alabaster Box (1999) – debut on her own PureSprings Gospel label
- Throne Room (2003) – live worship outing after recovering from illness
- Purified (2005) – featuring nephew Mario Winans and son Alvin III
- Let Them Fall in Love (2017) – earned two Grammys
Famous Songs & Important Partnerships
- Two million copies of the 1996 duet “Count On Me” with Whitney Houston were sold, and it reached the Top 10 on the Pop, R&B, and AC charts.
- Her CDs, which combined modern R&B, worship, and classic gospel sounds, routinely reached the top of the Gospel and Christian charts.
Honors, Awards, and Cultural Influence
One of the most renowned performers in gospel music is CeCe:
- 17 Grammy Awards, the most of any female gospel performer
- GMA Dove Awards: 31 victories
- Stellar Awards: 19 victories
- Seven NAACP Image Awards
- She has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame, the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Current Initiatives & Live Worship
In gospel circles, CeCe is still a powerful figure. She released Believe For It (live) in 2021, which included the hit title tune that led to Grammy and Dove awards. The song “That’s My King” from her most recent album, More Than This (2024), received critical praise and went on to win a Grammy at the 2025 ceremony.
Ministry & Authorship Being a leader
In addition to her music, CeCe has authored four books that provide spiritual and sisterhood lessons: On a Positive Note (2000), Throne Room (2004), and Always Sisters (2007). She and her husband, Alvin Love II, co-founded Nashville Life Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, in 2012, and she is a co-pastor there.
Family and Personal Life
On June 23, 1984, CeCe and Alvin Love II were married. Ashley Marie Love, a daughter, and Alvin Love III, a gospel musician, are their two children together. The family resides in Brentwood and maintains a life that is firmly anchored in family, community service, and faith.
Legacy and Impact
With more than 27 million records sold globally, CeCe Winans is a source of inspiration and devotion. She broke down musical and cultural barriers by combining gospel authenticity with modern appeal, setting an enduring standard. Her mission of uplifting lives and promoting spiritual growth across generations is echoed in her pastoral work and literary style, which extend beyond her music.
