TED WINN
Almost a decade ago, Ted & Sheri burst on the gospel music scene with a joyful chemistry and vocal charisma unlike any urban singing duo since Bebe & CeCe Winans. In a short period of time, their dynamic vocal runs and intense stage presence made them the toast of the gospel circuit. They won two Stellar Awards and enjoyed Top Ten radio smashes such as "Come Ye Disconsolate" and "Celebrate." The duo has now taken an amicable hiatus to pursue solo careers.
Winn's debut solo CD Balance (TeddysJamz / Shanachie) features the Billboard Top 30 Hot Gospel Songs hit "God Believes in You." The uplifting ballad has been on the chart for months and is resonating with audiences like Winn's work with Ted & Sheri and Richard Smallwood's Vision choir that Winn has recorded with since 1999. The song was born from tragedy. "A friend of mine was killed in an accident and he was one of many people, whom I feel did not reach his potential because he never had a support system," says Winn. "This song is meant to inspire every person to pursue every dream knowing that God has made an investment in them and He would not make an investment if He didn't expect a return."
It's just one example of the poignant, heart-felt songs that round out this inspiring blend of Bible-based messages wrapped in an alluring urban adult contemporary rhythm. The entire project is a twist on the standard gospel music genre that seeks to save the Lost. Winn doesn't finger-point. Instead, he encourages and uplifts both the Lost and the Found with these eleven vibrant songs.
"I want my music to become a vehicle to move people to a balanced place in life," Winn says of the CD title-tune. "The premise of the song is to live a balanced life. It's talking about being conscious on a social, familial and spiritual level. It's a real music song. I wanted it to be reminiscent of a 70s era song. That's a time when music was creative in different way. People didn't just write to get hit records but they wrote because they had something to say. I want people to hear this song and feel like it's something they would have heard Sam Cooke or Marvin Gaye sing back in the day. "
The album opens with the mid-tempo track "Connected to the Kingdom" that harks back to the Hawkins Family's California soul sound of the seventies. "Bishop Jim Swilley was talking about the economic crisis and that there's a shaking in the land," Winn says. "He went into this teaching about how things were shaping up for those who understand the principles of the Kingdom of God. While he was preaching, I began writing the song on my iPod. "
A singer in Winn's iPod for years is the legendary Vanessa Bell Armstrong who joins him on "His Favor," a subtle Earth Wind & Fire funk vibe. "I wrote that song to people who feel like they live with a dark cloud over them all the time," Winn explains. "The song talks about a curse being broken. I define the curse as sickness, poverty and death. It's not necessarily a physical death but the death of dreams and goals."
Ted Winn