motd Wed Feb 15, 2012 - Whitney Houston

[Guest guest]

I WILL ALWAYS

LOVE YOU

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

I was in Canada when the news broke. And, to

be honest, I felt a little helpless when the shocking

news hit the airwaves that Whitney Houston had passed

away. I was still able to do my big personal

appearance in Toronto on Sunday but, the whole time I

was on stage, Whitney was on my mind.

That Whitney Houston could

really belt out a tune...and with such feeling!

I thought back to the first time I saw her perform

live in person. She seemed a little nervous as she

began. I'd gone to see Whitney in the earliest days

of her career but I'll say this. Leading all of those

songs in her church choir when she was just a young

lady must have really paid off. In no time, she

became very comfortable with the audience. And do I

even have to tell you? That Whitney Houston could

really belt out a tune...and with such feeling!

You know, the African-American church has blessed us

in so many ways. Some of the most incredible singers

of our time have come directly from their church

choirs. And many of them continue to bless us with

voices that seem to come right out of their souls.

Think about it. Voices like Aretha lin, Patty

LaBelle and Gladys Knight all had their beginnings in

the church. But now, I'm so saddened to say, one of

the greatest of those inspirational voices has been

silenced. That of Whitney Houston's.

Whitney, we have sweated to

so many of your tunes at Slimmons.

Oh, Whitney, we have sweated to so many of your tunes

at Slimmons. We had so much fun sweatin' to your

great songs like I

Wanna Dance With Somebody. And those love

ballads of yours, like Saving All My Love For You were perfect

for our workout cool-downs.

Whitney Houston kept those people at Billboard busy

ranking her hits, many of which shot right up to #1 on

the charts. And who can forget her rendition of The Star

Spangled Banner at the 1991

Super Bowl half-time show? The country fell in love

with her interpretation of our National Anthem. And

get this, she released it as a single and even it went to #1.

Proceeds from sales of the song went to support

veterans of the Persian Gulf War back in the 90's. Oh

Whitney, to borrow a title from one of your songs...YOU give

good love!

I never got to meet Ms. Houston in person. But I've

listened to and loved so much of her music over the

years, I feel like I do know

her! Whenever she had a new album coming out, (back

when everyone was still buying albums), I'd be first

in line at the old Tower Records store on Sunset

Boulevard to pick up a copy!

We will really miss

you, Whitney Houston.

We will really miss you, Whitney Houston. My

heart truly goes out to you, your family, your mother

and especially to your only daughter. Thanks to your

music, your memory will live with us forever. And I

know I speak for many millions of people around the

world when I say...I Will Always Love You.

Thank You, Whitney and thank God for blessing us with

your remarkable talent.

Love,