One of gospel music’s greatest voices, CeCe Winans, was among several great talents who recently paid tribute to honoree, Cissy Houston. Each year The Essence Empowerment Experience held at the Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center closed out the three-day event with the popular Essence Gospel Tribute. Winans sang the first single, “Never Have To Be Alone” from her new album Let Them Fall In Love and shared the stage with vocal power-houses like: Jekalyn Carr, Kim Burrell, Gene Moore, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, P.J. Morton, Chante Moore and other special guests. But the last performance by Winans and Kelly Price belting out, “Count On Me” before Houston was presented her award received a standing ovation.
Prior to the celebration, Winans made her rounds in the press rooms and took to the ESSENCE Centerstage on the main floor of the convention center. The crowd was in full force this year and Winans graciously made sure she connected with as many fans and media friends as possibly
Winans hung out with Roland Martin host of News One Now and ran into a member of another large and popular family, Marlon Wayans. The Winans Family is a musical dynasty while the Wayans Family keeps us all laughing. Actor Blair Underwood with wife Desiree, and actress Yvette Nicole Brown made connection backstage. Winans also had smiles and hugs with Holly Robinson- Peete and Congressman Maxine Waters.
Next week Winans will be continuing her Fall In Love Tour sponsored by Medi-Share in Grand Rapids, MI at DeVos Performing Arts (July 13); Detroit, MI at Sound Board (July 14) and Cincinnati, OH at Taft Theater (July 15). Tickets are still available, get more information at www.cecewinans.com
