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There's a strong sense of reminiscence on this album—I'm thinking about songs like "Mamma's Kitchen" and "Always Sisters," and "A Place Like This," where the drum programming and lyrics are drawn from "Heaven." And you worked with producer Keith Thomas again.

Winans Yeah, it was so exciting to work with Keith Thomas again. And we look forward to working with him again with BeBe and CeCe—whenever we get back in the studio (laughing). We don't know when, but God knows.

Really? You and BeBe might record together again?

Winans Oh, yeah. We look forward to that. But yeah, I do look back. This album talks a lot about family. Family values. And when I recorded this CD, I had no idea that I would lose my brother Ronald this year. Before the album was finished, I'd sent the songs "You Will," and "He's Concerned About You" to some friends who had lost loved ones, knowing that those songs would comfort them, and bring them through. Little did I know that I would need to be comforted. But God is an amazing comforter. The prayers of God's people are carrying our family, and we're doing great, because we know we're going to see Ron again. We're sad because we miss him, but we have joy in the midst of sorrow. Also, when I was choosing songs for Purified, I didn't know about the pain our country would be facing now. But before I do a CD, I pray, Lord, what would you have me to say? What's the message that your people need to hear? So I feel like this music is right on time. I know it's going to be a blessing to a lot of the people.

At Ronald's funeral, the choir director called you to the stage to sing, but you weren't planning on singing, right?

Winans Not at all!

What was that like? What was in your heart and your mind? I thought, No, they didn't. But yes, they did!

Winans Exactly! I thought, No they wouldn't do this, they're not going to do this. The choir director called me to the stage and asked me to sing a song that I sang on one of Ron's Family and Friends CDs-that I hadn't sung probably since then. And I thought, I'm not going to remember the words to the song, I don't want to mess up at Ronald's funeral, I don't know how I'm going to react. But I then I thought, Hey. Let's go. It was a celebration, it was a homegoing, and the Lord really blessed. Actually, I needed that song. Because after we sang, we danced, and we rejoiced. The joy of the Lord was our strength. The Bible tells us to put on the garment of praise, to lift the spirit of heaviness. When we lift the Lord up, we'll be lifted. And that's what carried me—worshiping the Father. So, what can I say—we made it through! (laughs)

What song did you send up singing?

Winans We sang a song called "Trust Jesus." Some of the lyrics are: "If you put your trust in Jesus, everything will be all right. He will make your load easy and your burdens will be light." And it's just an encouraging song, to trust the Lord, and look to him, even when we don't understand. God knows. He sees and he cares.

While we're talking about family, tell us what it was like to work with your nephew Mario on the single "Pray."

Winans Well, it was the first time I'd had a producer call me "Auntie" (laughs). I thought, Oh, time is flying by. I had a good time working with Mario, I really did. He's always been so talented. And he was very professional, you know, and delivered an incredible song.

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