David "Pop" Winans Passes

***UPDATE***

We'd like to extend our sincere condolences to the Winans family. David Winans, affectionately known as Pop, went home to be with the Lord today. According to the Detroit Free Press, the 76-year-old patriarch of the Winans family -- which includes his wife, Delores "Mom" Winans, and children BeBe, CeCe, Marvin, Debbie, Angie, Daniel, and the late Ron -- died in a Nashville, Tennessee-area hospice. Mom was at his side when he transitioned.

Even though Pop lived in Detroit for most of his life, he had been in Nashville since October 2008 because several of his 10 children lived there. His health took a turn for the worst late last year. In all, he'd suffered a series of four strokes, seizures and a heart attack beginning in the fall of 2008.

Vickie Winans, who was married to Marvin, told The Detroit News, "He was a person who loved Jesus through sickness and health. To see him sick was the worst thing but he kept on lifting up the name of Jesus. I loved him with all my heart."

Services will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at Perfecting Church in Detroit where Marvin is the senior pastor. Please pray for the family as they walk through this difficult time.

Gospel Tidbits...

Here's what's going on in the world of gospel, courtesy of GospelFlava.com:

The singer's singer, Kim Burrell, is finally going to release a new album. Her new project, No Ways Tired, will be her first studio recording in nine years. The album, which hits stores on April 7th, will feature covers of classic tunes like My Faith Looks Up To Thee, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, O Lamb Of God, I Surrender All, and the title cut, which is a James Cleavland classic...


Marvin Winans and the Perfecting Praise Church Choir is preparing for their next live recording on Sunday, March 29th at Perfecting Church in Detroit, Michigan. Special guests will include Bishop Paul S. Morton and his little sister, CeCe Winans. The recording will not only be in celebration of the church's 20th anniversary, but it'll also be the culmination of the church's Praise & Worship Weekend 2009 conference. Pastor Winans will lead the songwriter's session, and workshops for dancers, musicians, and songwriters will also be featured...

Finally, speaking of CeCe, she and J. Moss have been tapped to headline McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour. It kicks off in Dallas on Friday, May 8th, with stops in Houston, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago. Here's a complete list of tour dates:

May 8 – Dallas, TX (Friendship West Baptist Church)
May 9 – Houston, TX (Windsor Village United Methodist Church Family @ the KBC)
May 14 – Philadelphia, PA (Deliverance Evangelistic Church)
May 15 – Detroit, MI (Greater Grace Temple)
May 16 – Chicago, IL (Christ Universal Temple)
May 23 – Atlanta, GA (Ray of Hope Christian Church)
May 24 – Norfolk, VA (TBD)
June 13 – Newark, NJ (McDonald’s Gospel Festival-Prudential Center)
Sep. 13 – Washington, DC (National Black Family Reunion Celebration Festival - Washington Mall)

GMC Airs Exclusive Event to Celebrate Black History Month

Anyone who's ever participated in any Stellar Award activities knows that the BMI Trailblazers Luncheon is one of the most highly anticipated events of the weekend. The invitation-only event honors some of biggest names in Gospel music, and it's always a good time. Well, the Gospel Music Channel is bringing this year's luncheon to you for the very first time.

This year's event, which was taped on January 16th in Nashville, honors Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence (pictured), and Cece Winans. Kirk Franklin and BMI's Catherine Brewton hosted, and featured performers included Israel Houghton, Kierra Sheard, Kim Burrell, and Lalah Hathaway.

The 2009 BMI Trailblazers Awards Tribute to Twinkie Clark, Donald Lawrence & CeCe Winans will air on Sunday, February 22nd at 8pm ET as part of The Gospel Music Channel's Black History Month celebration. If you happen to miss it the first time, you can catch encores at 11pm ET Sunday or on Monday, February 23rd at 10:30pm ET.