Marvin Winans, Carvin Winans and BeBe Winans have formed a new group and will record a new album together.
The group has already begun recording its first song, a tune in tribute to their late brother, Ronald, and Whitney Houston.
They talked about it in an exclusive video interview with ET Online. Check it out–
Ready for it!
I just got word that BeBe Winans is planning to release a patriotic-themed project, titled America America this year. No release date has been given.
The album will feature Winans’ spin on classic patriotic tunes like “America the Beautiful,” “Lift Every Voice,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “The Star Spangled Banner,” but it’s also got some originally penned songs like “America America,” “We’re the United States of America,” and “Ultimate Sacrifice.”
Of the album’s direction, BeBe Winans says “the inspiration for America America is the time we are living in. Sometimes, we forget that we are all Americans. At sporting events, when the national anthem is sung, everyone stands– black, white, rich, poor– everyone.”
He’s definitely got the voice for it. BeBe’s tone and delivery is unmatched.
Curious to see who the audience will be, though… you buying it?
On Friday, January 13, 2012, BMI held its annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music awards luncheon at Nashville’s Rocketown. The invite-only industry gathering has become the hottest ticket in town.
This year, BMI saluted the music and ministry of Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Kirk Franklin.
A virtual who’s-who was in attendance… Kim Burrell, Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, Isaac Carree, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Jason Nelson, Jonathan Nelson, Jessica Reedy, Virtue, Asaph Ward, Ricky Dillard, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, BeBe Winans, DJ Rogers, David & Tamela Mann, Dayna Caddell, Brian Courtney Wilson, Dorinda Clark Cole, Marvin Sapp… my fingers are tired, but just think of EVERYONE in gospel music. 
Check out these photos from the event!
Arguably gospel music’s most beloved duo, BeBe & CeCe Winans, were honored in Hollywood yesterday, receiving a star on the legendary Walk of Fame.
On hand to speak during the ceremony were the legendary Quincy Jones, jazz musician Dave Koz, Jim Bakker (of The PTL Club, where the duo first came to nationwide acclaim), actress Yvette Nicole Brown and their brother, Pastor Marvin Winans.
Check out the comical remarks from Dave Koz in the video below–
The nominees for the 2011 Soul Train Awards were announced yesterday!
In the category for Best Gospel Song, they are:
Mary Mary | “Walking”
Kirk Franklin | “I Smile”
CeCe Winans | “More”
James Fortune & FIYA feat. Shawn McLemore | “I Believe”
Trin-i-tee 5:7 | “Heaven Hear My Heart”
Mary Mary is also nominated in the Best Dance Performance category for their single “Walking.”
Click here for a full list of the nominees. Congrats to all of ya!
Finally, I hear that BeBe Winans is already tapped to perform on the show, likely in tribute to Gladys Knight who, along with Earth, Wind & Fire, will be honored that night.
The 2011 Soul Train Awards, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, will be taped on November 17th at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, and will air on both Centric and BET on Sunday, November 27 at 9pm ET/8pm CST.
The nominees for the 2011 BET Awards were announced live on 106 & Park last night.
In the gospel category, the nominees are–
Mary Mary | Byron Cage | Deitrick Haddon | BeBe & CeCe Winans | Karen Clark Sheard
The BET Awards, to be hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, will air live on BET on Saturday, June 26, 2011 at 8pm ET/7pm CST from LA’s Shrine Auditorium.
Guess who’s getting a free trip to New York City to MEET Mary Mary and attend the Still Something Big Tour featuring them, BeBe & CeCe Winans and VaShawn Mitchell?
Maybe YOU! Lol
This week, Mary Mary launched the “Fly Away With Mary Mary” contest where fans are encouraged to pre-order their upcoming album, Something Big, then send a customized message via Twitter and Facebook to enter the flyaway.
One winner and a guest will be flown (for free) to NYC for the Saturday, April 9th tour date of the Still Something Big Tour. In addition to hotel accommodations, the winner will get to meet Erica & Tina and received VIP concert access!
Visit ILoveMaryMary.com to pre-order the album and to enter NOW. Hurry– the contest ends next Friday, March 25th.
Also, don’t forget to visit their Facebook page to join the Do Something Big campaign!
Breakthrough gospel artist VaShawn Mitchell has been added as the opening act for one of the most highly publicized gospel tours to hit the industry in quite some time– the STILL SOMETHING BIG Tour featuring Mary Mary and BeBe & CeCe Winans.
In the midst of a tremendously successful season, spearheaded in part by the hit single “Nobody Greater,” VaShawn Mitchell will join the duos in each of the 6 tour markets, beginning in April.
For dates and more info on the tour, click here!
As if preparing for a new album, getting ready for a major tour with BeBe & CeCe Winans, and hosting two star-studded showcases on opposite coasts isn’t enough, Mary Mary is now blogging each week!
Leading up to the release of Something Big, the ladies of Mary Mary will be guest bloggers at Essence.com with their own new series– “Walk the Walk.”
They’ve already posted three blogs–
Make sure you check out Essence.com every Monday to hear the latest advice from Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell!
JUST IN!!!
Here are the winners in the gospel categories at this year’s 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards!!!
Winners highlighted below in blue.
Best Gospel Performance
“He Wants It All” by Forever Jones | Get Ready
“You Hold My World” by Israel Houghton | Love God. Love People.
“Nobody Greater” by VaShawn Mitchell | Triumphant
“He’s Been Just That Good” by Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway | The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III
“Grace” by BeBe & CeCe Winans | Still
Best Gospel Song
“Beautiful Things” by Lisa Gungor & Michael Gungor, songwriters (Gungor) | Beautiful Things
“Better Than A Hallelujah” by Sarah Hart & Chapin Hartford, songwriters (Amy Grant) | Somewhere Down The Road
“It’s What I Do” by Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway) | The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III
“Our God” by Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin) | Passion: Awakening
“Return To Sender” by Gordon Kennedy, songwriter (Ricky Skaggs) | Mosaic
Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album
Church Music | David Crowder Band
For Those Who Wait | Fireflight
Beautiful Things | Gungor
Rehab | Lecrae
Hello Hurricane | Switchfoot
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Beauty Will Rise | Steven Curtis Chapman
Love God. Love People. | Israel Houghton
Pieces Of A Real Heart | Sanctus Real
Mosaic | Ricky Skaggs
Tonight | TobyMac
Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel
Times Like These | Austins Bridge
The Reason | Diamond Rio
Expecting Good Things | Jeff & Sheri Easter
Journey | Ty Herndon
Live At Oak Tree: Karen Peck & New River | Karen Peck & New River
Traditional Gospel Album
The Experience | Vanessa Bell Armstrong
A City Called Heaven | Shirley Caesar
Downtown Church | Patty Griffin
Here I Am | Marvin Sapp
All In One | Karen Clark Sheard
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
Get Ready | Forever Jones
Love Unstoppable | Fred Hammond
Triumphant | VaShawn Mitchell
Aaron Sledge | Aaron Sledge
Still | BeBe & CeCe Winans
