CeCe Winans Tops Gospel & Christian Album Charts With ‘More Than This,’ a ‘Joyful Collection of Songs’
CeCe Winans earns her 10th No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and her second on Top Christian Albums with the arrival of her live set More Than This on the tallies dated May 11.
The LP starts with 8,000 equivalent album units, including 5,000 in album sales, in the U.S. April 26-May 2, according to Luminate. It was recorded at Nashville’s Rocketown on Aug. 10, 2023.
Notably, the Detroit native has ruled Top Gospel Albums in five consecutive decades.
“I’m a firm believer that when you keep God at the center of everything, He will do the rest,” Winans says. “More Than This is a joyful collection of songs that focus on His faithfulness and greatness.”
The album follows Winans’ first live set, Believe for It: A Live Worship Experience, which started at No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums, and No. 3 on Top Christian Albums, in March 2021. She notches her eighth leader on the former chart without any other billed artists; she logged her first two No. 1s with Bebe Winans, her older brother: Heaven in 1989 and Different Lifestyles in 1991. She previously commanded Top Christian Albums with Throne Room in 2003.
Concurrently, the new album’s “That’s My King” becomes Winans’ third No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart and her third top 10 on Hot Christian Songs (18-7). It drew 1.7 million official U.S. streams, up 111%, and simultaneously crowns Gospel Streaming Songs, marking Winans’ first chart-topper. On Christian Airplay, it pushes 20-19 (1.6 million audience impressions, up 35%). On Gospel Airplay, it ranks at No. 26.
Notably, as genre barriers blur among numerous formats, Winans is one of a growing number of artists — alongside the likes of Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake, Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine, Tauren Wells and others — who are actively being promoted to both contemporary Christian and gospel radio.
Campbell’s ‘Love’ Leads Gospel Airplay
Erica Campbell rolls up her fourth solo Gospel Airplay leader, all earned consecutively, with “Do You Believe in Love?,” which she co-authored.
The Los Angeles-based artist is also the host of the nationallysyndicated radio show Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell.
Campbell – who is also half of duo Mary Mary with sister Trecina – previously topped Gospel Airplay on her own with “Feel Alright (Blessed)” for two weeks starting in July 2023; “Call,” with Jor’Dan Armstrong (two, December 2022); and “Positive” (three, August 2022).
Mary Mary boasts three Gospel Airplay No. 1s: as featured, with Le’Andria Johnson, on PJ Morton’s “All in His Plan” (one week, September 2020) and with “God in Me,” featuring Kierra “Kiki” Sheard (seven weeks, beginning in June 2009), and “Heaven” (15 weeks, beginning in June 2005).
Jim Asker
Billboard