Malaco Records Signs Exclusive Distribution Deal With BeBe and CeCe Winans

Malaco Music Group announced today the signing of Gospel/R&B music superstars BeBe and CeCe Winans to an exclusive distribution deal for B and C Records, their first joint record label venture. With Malaco Records, a legendary southern R&B and Gospel label as their new distribution partner, the brother and sister music duo has launched their new label with the release of the single, “Close to You,” currently at radio. “Close to You” is the first from BeBe and CeCe’s upcoming CD, due in stores late September.

“As a true fan of their music for many years, this is one of the most exciting signings that I have made in recent years,” said Tommy Couch, President of Malaco Music Group. “I am very honored to bring these two stellar and respected artists to the Malaco Music Group family, and see nothing but a bright and prosperous future ahead. This new partnership represents for us the first of many steps toward building the Malaco Music Group into a major independent leader in the urban music world.”

Lionel Ridenour, Head of Malaco’s Urban Music Department, added: “We are more than excited about our partnership with BeBe and CeCe Winans, we are overjoyed. BeBe and CeCe Winans are international music superstars. They are pioneers of both traditional and contemporary gospel, as well as multi-platinum award-winning R&B music stars. We are very proud that BeBe and CeCe have chosen Malaco Music Group as the home for their new venture B & C Records.”

BeBe and CeCe’s 20 year career in music includes multiple platinum and gold albums in both the Gospel and R&B music genres, 5 Grammys, 8 Doves, more than 12 Stellar Awards, 2 NAACP Awards, 12+ charting R&B singles, and countless #1 Christian and Gospel radio singles.

Their debut self-titled album, released in 1987, nabbed both Grammy and Stellar noms and a Dove Award, only the second Dove Award to be awarded to an African American Group in the category “Group of the Year.” The single “For Always” from the album earned BeBe and CeCe their first Grammy. Their second album, Heaven, was the first Gospel album to reach #1 on the Billboard sales chart and gave us two hit singles, “Lost Without You,” and “Celebrate Life.”

“With the rich heritage of so many great gospel legends, such as the Reverend James Cleveland, The Caravans, The Major Mass Choirs from Savoy and Malaco, we are elated to continue the tradition with superstar artists BeBe and CeCe Winans,” added D. A. Johnson, Malaco Music Group’s Director of Gospel Music.

This long-awaited reunion album is a culmination of gained experiences over the last few years and promises to please the die-hard BeBe and CeCe fans and garner new ones as well.

For more information on Malaco Music Group, contact, Burton Doss, (601) 982-4255, bdoss@malaco.com

Cece Winans To Be Inducted Into Music City Walk Of Fame

Award-winning Gospel music artist CeCe Winans will be among the newest inductees to the Music City Walk of Fame and be recognised officially during an induction ceremony this Sunday.

Winans will join Cowboy Jack Clement, Mike Curb, Marty Stuart and Josh Turner for the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers Sunday afternoon in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville.

Also recognised will be Dr Richard H Boyd, whose publishing company has influenced Christian music decades after his death in 1922.

“It’s a privilege to honour the great accomplishments of this impressive class of inductees,” said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau (NCVB). “Each honouree represents the immense talent, creativity and diverse musical styles that have made Nashville Music City.”

Created in 2006 and located on Nashville’s Music Mile, the Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City Inc, the charitable foundation of the NCVB. Inductees are nominated by the public in one of four categories - Artist, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer/Music Industry Executive - and selected by an anonymous committee.

With the induction of this new class of honourees, there will be 37 stars in total along the Walk of Fame.

“The Music City Walk of Fame continues to celebrate Nashville as one of the most exciting cities in America with exceptional musical talent on every corner,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar, founding sponsor and presenter of the Walk of Fame. “It continues to be an honour to be involved with the Walk of Fame program and the many artists it represents.”

For CeCe Winans, the honour will be bitter sweet as it comes shortly after the death of her father, David “Pop” Winans.

“Pop”, the patriarch of the Winans family music dynasty, earlier at the Alive Hospice in Nashville at the age of 74.

This Sunday’s Music City Walk of Fame induction ceremony will be held one day before his 75th birthday on Monday.

Source: Christian Today

Pop Winans, Patriarch of Celebrated Winans Family, Passes Away

David “Pop” Winans, father of celebrated gospel singers BeBe, CeCe, Michael, Marvin, Carvin and Ronald, passed away yesterday. He was 74. Winans is survived by his wife Dolores. The couple had 10 children; their son Ronald died in 2005.

The Associated Press reports that a “statement from a Los Angeles public relations company representing the family said he died at a Nashville hospice, where he had been since January after suffering a heart attack and stroke last October.”

Winans and his wife Dolores performed as Mom and Pop Winans, and were nominated for a Grammy in 1989 for their CD Mom & Pop Winans. The AP reports that the two had appeared regularly at Benny Hinn crusades and on The Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise the Lord” program. Pop Winans was nominated for a Grammy in 1999 for his solo CD Uncensored.

Memorial services are planned for next Tuesday and Wednesday at Perfecting Church in Detroit where Marvin is the senior pastor.

SOURCE: GospelSoundCheck

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