BeBe Winans Working On Song For Whitney
BeBe Winans to Release Live Album and DVD

Date: February 22, 2002
By Kevin Jackson

From Electronic Urban Report
Submitted by: Lisa D.


Gospel and contemporary artiste BeBe Winans, brother to fellow recording artiste CeCe Winans, is releasing two new projects over the next few weeks. A DVD is due out in April, while in March, he will be releasing "BeBe Winans Live and Up Close."

The live album which was scheduled to be recorded during a performance in South Africa, was instead recorded in Washington, DC, last year. "We wanted to do it in South Africa, but because of the terrorist attacks in the United States, we decided to do it in Washington," BeBe told this writer shortly after his performance at the recently concluded BET/Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival.

"What I love more than anything else, is a live performance," said BeBe.

In the early 1990s BeBe and CeCe teamed on a number of well-known gospel hits, a few of which have crossed over to the mainstream music charts internationally. Songs such as "It's OK" and a remake of "I'll Take You There" (which featured Mavis Staples), assisted the gospel crusaders in their aim to reach a wider audience. Those two songs and others are featured on the live album, and yes, CeCe makes an appearance as well. The live performances were hosted by BeBe's good friend Stephanie Mills. Mills is currently starring opposite BeBe in the musical "What's in the Hearts of Men," which was written by actor Malik Yoba of "New York Undercover" fame.

BeBe disclosed that early next year, the entire Winans family will be going on tour. His nephews Juan and Calvin Winans who performed with him on the Jazz festival, will be joining BeBe, CeCe and the Winans group on the outing. Both Juan and Calvin are members of the group Winans Phase II.

Aside from his upcoming projects, BeBe is also collaborating with other recording artistes in the studio. He is doing production work, and he listed a track for Whitney Houston's upcoming album, as one to look out for.

Asked if he departed from this world tomorrow, and what he would like to be remembered for, as far as his work.

"That love is God and God is love. Its important to know that love is the key to all things. Even with all the hatred, crime and violence in the world, if we knew the true meaning of love and spread it around, then we could accomplish a lot more."