CeCe Winans hosts new documentary showing how secular music genres started in Gospel

Article By EEW Magazine // Gospel Music // Documentaries

A new radio documentary that explores the history of Black Gospel music and illustrates its significant influence on the formation of rock and soul music will be broadcast by US public radio stations in February during Black History Month. 

Multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist, CeCe Winans, will host The Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul —a radio documentary highlighting the power, influence and contribution of Gospel on secular genres.

54-year-old Winans said, "Gospel music's influence on early R&B, soul, and rock and roll is significant, and the stories we tell and share in the documentary wonderfully illustrate that.”

Listeners will discover that popular artists like Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and many others may have had worldwide crossover appeal, but their roots are firmly in Gospel music.

“It was a pleasure working on the documentary . There is so much richness, detail, and respect for the history that went into the making of it,” continued Winans.

The special documentary, which consists of four one-hour segments, is produced by Philadelphia public radio station WXPN and distributed by NPR. Through in-depth interviews with artists and dozens of songs (including many archival selections), the documentary promises to thoroughly and exhaustively illuminate the profound impact that gospel music has had on mainstream music.

The “Never Have To Be Alone” songstress, who has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, is excited to participate in the project supported by a grant from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

Winans added, “As a Gospel musician myself, it's important for music fans and listeners to learn how much gospel music serves as the foundation for so many other music genres."

For more information about Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul, and air times, visit the WXPN website.