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.

Knight, Winans Go "Bad" for Tyler

Even though Tyler Perry's latest cinematic endeavor hasn't been billed as a musical, he's certainly got enough talent in the flick to make it one. According to The Hollywood Reporter, both Gladys Knight and Marvin Winans are joining the cast of I Can Do Bad All By Myself. They join the already announced Mary J. Blige in the film.

Ms. Knight will play Wilma, a neighborhood mother who also sings at Madea's church. No word yet on whether Winans will stretch his acting chops. So far, he's just down to sing. I Can Do Bad All By Myself hits theaters in September.

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)