Gospel legend BeBe Winans is just one of many artists performing Oct. 9 for the One World Concert featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama at 7 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. The singer spoke with The Daily Orange about his latest album, “America, America,” his thoughts on his recent Republican National Convention performance backlash and his views on peace.

The Daily Orange.: What was your inspiration behind making a patriotic album as opposed to a contemporary or traditional gospel album?

BeBe Winans: Well, almost four years ago, when Barack Obama became president, there was just an electricity in the air and a sense of hope. From that moment on, I’ve been inspired by our country and that’s where “America, America” was birthed. With that, I was just inspired to do a patriotic album. There are songs that we sing at sports events and various other places, and I felt it was important to record and sing them to remind people that we all are one. No matter what association, what party we are associated with, we’re all Americans, and these are songs that belong to every last one of us.

The D.O.: I know that in the past you’ve done events like the Saluting Those Who Serve event in 2005, as well as We Are The World 25 For Haiti two years ago. Now you’re teaming up with the One World Community Foundation to promote peace. How does it feel to be teamed up with such renowned leaders like the Dalai Lama and how did you get involved with such a cause?

Winans: I was interested automatically when I found that the theme of the concert was love. I’ve realized through my whole career that the greatest gift we have is love, and that’s free. It’s been incorporated in my music, my and my sister’s music and my whole family’s music. The definition of God, who I believe in, is love, and so with that I felt honored to be asked, and I’m honored to be a part of it. I’ve just learned that in order to be a part of the solution, you have to be a part.

The D.O.: And the idea of bringing people together and accepting others is something that you’ve stressed to the media lately when you’ve talked, or when you sang at the Republican National Convention. You stressed a lot to The Washington Post about how you’re intentions were to bring people together despite their differing political affiliations. Were you disappointed by some of the backlash that you received?

Winans: To be honest, I didn’t read a thing, and I never have been concerned about what people think, especially people who don’t know me. One of the things my father, who was a great man in my point of view, taught all of his children was to know who you are before anyone else tells you who you are. So at 19, 17 and 12, I knew who I was, and as I grew older, I became very comfortable with who I am. I say to anyone who’s reading this: Know your purpose and know who you are, and be bold enough and brave enough to endure whatever.

The D.O.: But do you think that the fact that people aren’t taking it as that, you’re a little misunderstood in what you were trying to preach?

Winans: My grandmother used to say, “If you don’t have nothing good to say don’t say nothing at all.” So I think it’s so important that before people speak out, they find out something, read, know what they’re saying. President Obama was a personal friend of mine while he was a senator, so it’s just important that people stop texting and saying things that they don’t know about. Take a moment, breathe before you respond. What’s been a wonderful thing for me is, “If you don’t understand, sit down and get some understanding.” And if we do that, we won’t have to say “I’m sorry” as much.

The D.O.: Do you think we’ll get to hear anything from your latest album?

Winans: Maybe. I hope to sing “America, America,” but one of the things that has served me well over the years is what you choose to sing. The selection of song is very important, and before I choose a song I really have to still scan the land. I have to think about who is involved and what we’re singing for, and then I choose a song. I tell people all the time, ‘If you’re going to sing for a French audience, don’t sing nothing in Spanish.’

Published on October 8, 2012 at 5:00 am

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