Out & About – July 15, 2016

1-2: BeBe & CeCe Winans
BeBe & CeCe Winans are hands down one of the most influential gospel acts ever, though there’s so much more to their story than fans may realize. Thankfully, the play Born For This: The BeBe Winans Story just landed at Arena Stage at the Mead Center For American Theater in Washington, DC through August 28, 2016 to set the record straight, including this scene featuring Juan Winans as BeBe, Kiandra Richardson as longtime friend/collaborator Whitney Houston and Deborah Joy Winans as CeCe. (Photo by Greg Mooney, courtesy of Alliance Theatre).

2: Another integral component in Winans’ Born For This musical is the support received from the musical dynasty’s parents, including this touching shot with Nita Whitaker as Mom Winans and Milton Craig Nealy as Pop Winans. (Photo by Greg Mooney, courtesy of Alliance Theatre).

3: Kansas
Spiritually provocative classic/progressive rockers Kansas (who even birthed the solo career of one time singer/current Christian rocker, John Elefante) are not only celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the landmark Leftoverture album (“Carry On Wayward Son,” “Miracles Out Of Nowhere”) with a retrospective tour, but are also finalizing a fall release of the entirely new project The Prelude Implicit. (Photo by Andy Argyrakis)

4: Todd Smith
Selah’s Todd Smith performs “Calling All Fathers” (inspired by Smith’s own journey as a husband and dad to five daughters) during a recent day of media interviews (including a stop at CCM Magazine!). The deeply personal tune comes from his upcoming Curb Records solo release, which once again features his pristine vocals and inspirational messages.

5: Yolanda Adams
Gospel great Yolanda Adams takes a stroll across the yellow carpet at pre-Broadway premiere of The SpongeBob Musical in Chicago. Besides checking out the delightfully squishy show with her family, Adams also contributed to a star-studded soundtrack alongside the likes of the late David Bowie, members of Aerosmith, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper and many others. (Photo by Andy Argyrakis)

6: The Union of Sinners & Saints
The Union of Sinners & Saints (led by Petra’s John Schlitt and Whiteheart’s Billy Smiley) sign copies of their brand new, self-titled CD at Barnes & Noble in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition to being the very first time the project went on sale to the public, the event coincided with a record release concert promoted by 100.7 The FISH.