BeBe Winans

Born Benjamin Winans, 17 September 1962, Detroit, Michigan, USA. The seventh child
of the Winans gospel family, BeBe enjoyed crossover success performing with his sister
CeCe. The duo recorded two gold albums and 1991's platinum-selling Different
Lifestyles, and won several R&B and gospel awards. In 1989, BeBe won a Grammy for
Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male for his contribution to "Abundant Life", a track on
his brother Ronald's Family & Friends Choir. He also contributed as a producer to the
Grammy-winning soundtrack for the Whitney Houston/Kevin Costner movie The
Bodyguard. Additional production work for Gladys Knight, Bobby Brown and Stephanie
Mills followed as his recording career with his sister was put on hold. He co-starred with
Mills in a 1996 run of Your Arms Too Short To Box With God, before making a long-
awaited return to recording with his solo debut in 1997. Released in October, the star-
studded affair utilised leading producers including Rhett Lawrence, Arif Mardin and
Keith Andes in an obvious attempt to capture the modern soul market. BeBe's voice cut
above the occasionally bland backing music, particularly on a stand-out collaboration
with Hezekiah Walker's Love Fellowship Crusade Choir on "Oh Happy Day". The video
for opening track "In Harm's Way", a song inspired by brother Ronald's recovery from
heart disease, was directed by actor Denzel Washington.
Winans later appeared in the touring show of the Broadway musical The Civil War. He
also signed a new contract with Motown Records, making his debut for the label in
August 2000 with Love & Freedom followed by a live album BeBe Live and Up Close in
2002. Both albums featured Stephanie Mills.
One year later BeBe released a christmas album with the title My Christmas Prayer.