When CeCe Winans stepped onto the stage at New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, the night shifted. The noise softened. The room leaned in. And within moments, what began as a countdown celebration became something deeper — a shared moment of worship that felt both intimate and massive at the same time.
CeCe didn’t just sing — she led. As the opening lines of “Goodness of God” filled the air, the crowd followed instinctively. Young and old, believers and casual viewers alike, voices rose together. Hands lifted. Smiles broke through tears. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t chase applause because it doesn’t need it. The power came from purpose.
For longtime fans, the moment stirred a familiar memory. Many remembered when CeCe appeared on American Idol, delivering a faith-filled performance so moving that Katy Perry was visibly brought to tears at the judges’ table. That night on Idol proved what Nashville witnessed again at Big Bash: CeCe Winans has a rare gift — the ability to turn a television stage into sacred ground.
What made the New Year’s Eve moment especially powerful was its placement. Amid fireworks, party anthems, and high-energy performances, CeCe’s set didn’t interrupt the celebration — it elevated it. As midnight approached, her voice reminded viewers what many hope for at the start of a new year: gratitude, grace, and grounding.
Fans were quick to call her the highlight of the night. Social media lit up with praise, with many applauding the music planning team for making space for gospel on one of the biggest live broadcasts of the year. It felt intentional. It felt meaningful.
And somewhere backstage, viewers couldn’t help but imagine Lainey Wilson — another artist open about her faith — quietly singing along, soaking it in like everyone else. Lainey’s own high-energy set thrilled the crowd, but CeCe’s performance anchored the night with something lasting.
As the final notes faded, the takeaway was clear: this wasn’t just an “awesome” performance — it was a reminder. A reminder that music can still unite, still uplift, and still point people toward hope.
What a way to ring in the new year. Not just with noise and confetti — but with worship, gratitude, and the unmistakable goodness of God.