In music, life and literature, fascinating duos have existed throughout time: Romeo and Juliet, Sonny and Cher, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Bonnie and Clyde and BeBe and CeCe Winans.

The lastly mentioned obtained their proper place in the annals of history, to some as gospel "renegades" who introduced a daring R&B 'esquesound and as cherished pioneers to others.

The career of sister and brother duo BeBe and CeCe Winans dissipated in the late nineties, so it has been a long time since they have been seen on the same stage together. But that is about to change. After several years of anticipation, it was announced recently that BeBe and CeCe are reuniting. They have already begun to make appearances together such as on TBN's "Praise the Lord" program.

The pair also came to Los Angeles to pay homage to the legendary Andrae Crouch as guests at his 40th Anniversary Gala. A new album is expected to be released later this year.

Their unique style and voices transcended classification and garnered the interest of diverse audiences, which they attribute in large part to Crouch.

At the Black Tie affair, in reference to their ground-breaking music BeBe recalled, "People talked about us," adding that since Crouch had been subjected to similar criticism first, it was easier for them to handle.

Like the man they came to honor, the Winans siblings are innovators of contemporary gospel music and were instrumental in shaping gospel music content today. In an environment of ever-changing styles, some people disapproved the duo's abstract inferences to God, which broke free from the design of traditional gospel music in every way. Their hit songs "Lost Without You" and "Addictive Love" for example never refer to God or Jesus Christ and sound like love songs associated with male female relationships rather than God and his offspring. Their boldness de-sensitized religious listeners who can now enjoy Kirk Franklin's "Stomp," "Lookin' For You" and "Revolution" - none
of which refer directly to God. With potent cross-over appeal, BeBe and CeCe charted on both Inspirational and R&B charts. Their second album, "Heaven," was the first gospel record to reach Top 10 on Billboards R&B charts since Aretha Franklin's "Amazing Grace."

They paid homage to their predecessor by telling stories of how he influenced their careers. As children they grew up in a household where all forms of music were restricted-except gospel. An excited BeBe explained how he and CeCe would go to school and sing Crouch songs as if they were mimicking a secular artist because his music was the closest they could come to singing R&B, complete with choreography! The die hard Andrae Crouch fans, threw off Donnie McClurkin (who they asked to join them on keyboards) when they began to sing a country styled Crouch tune. They knew every lyric and nuance of the randomly selected songs and sang them as if they'd rehearsed a thousand times. Flattered and thoroughly entertained, Crouch left the head table to watch their salute from the side of the stage.

BeBe and CeCe recorded 6 albums jointly between 1985 and 1994 and garnered Grammy nominations as well as Stellar and Dove Award wins. After their last recording together, "Relationship," each went on to follow their individual pursuits as solo artists, yet today sound as if no time has lapsed. Their naturally kinetic blend was audible during their vocal retrospective to the Godfather of contemporary gospel, who BeBe called their "hero."

More details about the new album to come.