CeCe Winans; Motown Gospel First Artiste

Motown Gospel, launched yesterday following the recent merger of Universal Music and EMI,

A Detroit native and veteran star; CeCe Winans is the label’s first signing, with her inaugural Motown Gospel album — Winans’ first record in five years — tabbed for release early next year.

Also on the list are Detroiter Kierra (Kiki) Sheard, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett and Tasha Cobbs. All performed at a launch party in Los Angeles yesterday.

The new Motown Gospel is already a prime-time player, marshaling an array of top executives in New York and Nashville and helmed by a pair of industry veterans: Universal’s Weiss — whose Island Def Jamgroup includes Motown Records — and Bill Hearn, president of EMI’s Christian music arm.