Sounds of Joy

The renowned gospel singer CeCe Winans delivered powerful vocals about taking back her territory and giving praise to the Lord at Wallace Theater Saturday. Perennial Grammy- and Dove Award-nominee, CeCe Winans graced the Wallace Theater stage Saturday, filling the building with her blend of contemporary and traditional gospel tunes.

Her appearance, along with Byron Cage and the Seven Sons of Soul, was arranged by collaboration between Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Tracey Anbiya, Fort Belvoir's Directorate of Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command.

The evening started on a somber note as the master of ceremonies asked concertgoers for a moment of silence as they paid respect to troops serving. The group also acknowledged the 3,994 that, as of Saturday, had lost their lives in the war. Then, an evening of inspiration and ministry through music began.

From the first song, the six young men of the Seven Sons of Soul had the crowd of more than 900 people clapping and singing along. Lead singer, Cliff Jones, introduced himself with a powerful story of his checkered past, and spoke of his experiences with drugs, getting shot, and having an awakening to his current beliefs.

"It changed me, it rearranged me. It opened my eyes," he said. "I'm a young man who was supposed to be dead. Now, I'm going to sing like I've never sung before."

With repeated references to the Soldiers serving here and overseas, and to the ones who lost their lives, each singer sang of the battles that occur in daily lives. Their songs praised the strength they found by being believers.

Cage dynamically delivered his songs, "With all of my might" and "There is a name," backed by six vocalists. Members of the audience danced in the aisles near the front of the stage holding up their hands as Cage repeatedly sang, "Do you feel the presence of the Lord?"

Then, with a simple introduction of just her first name, CeCe Winans took the stage and the audience was on its feet before she sang her first note. Winans' performance displayed a depth and range honed by years of singing gospel music, first as a young girl in Detroit singing in a choir, then as a performer on the PTL Club with brother, BeBe. She sang of taking back her territory and waging war in daily life. Her message was simple and clear - the power that you possess is stronger than anything and giving praise is a way to finding more wisdom, joy and understanding.