CeCe Winans: Religion Should Play A Bigger Role In Unifying America

CeCe Winans is back to making music.

Earlier this month, the veteran gospel singer-songwriter ― and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time ― released her first new solo album in nearly a decade entitled, “Let Them Fall In Love.” Three years in the making, the album finds Winans continuing her family’s rich musical lineage by collaborating with her son, Alvin Love III, who wrote and co-produced the album (she collaborated with her brother, BeBe, on her 2009 album, “Still.”)

In an interview with The Huffington Post, Winans opened up about her return to gospel music, how she thinks she can help push the genre to the mainstream, and why religion should play a bigger role in unifying America.

The album marks your first release in nearly a decade. How does it to feel? 

I still can’t believe that much time went by. But within that decade, BeBe and I did a project, then my husband and I started a church in Nashville, Tennessee. So having my son work with me was awesome, because he made sure I stayed relevant, and that I would connect with his generation. And so now, it feels great to be back. But it’s a whole new world out here. Social media alone is like, “Whoa, this is what people do now?” I’m getting adjusted to the new way.

In what ways has your music evolved over the years since your last project, “Thy Kingdom Come”?

I think your music evolves the way you evolve. I’m different now. I’m older, I would like to think I’m wiser. I understand who I am more than ever before. I think one of the great things about getting older is that you get more of a sense of who you are. And so I think, in approaching this record it wasn’t to impress people as much as to share with people what you feel like you have that’s valuable to share. I think going in the studio this time, I was probably more confident than ever before. Not that I was so much better, but just having a sense of knowing of what my purpose is. And that’s exciting and always fun… I was determined to make the record fun.