Oprah's Next Chapter: Cissy Houston

On February 11,2012 the world lost an amazing woman, singer and mother. We lost Whitney Houston and it was a heartache no one has quite gotten over.

Oprah sits down with the Houston family matriarch, Cissy Houston in her New Jersey home. This is Cissy's first interview since Whitney's untimely death and this interview was very real.

Oprah covered several topics including Whitney's first taste of drug abuse in the late 80's and through this interview we learned that it was her brother Michael who introduced her to drugs, not Bobby Brown as society wanted you to believe.

Michael currently lives with the guilt and fights his demons on a daily basis because of living with regret. He admits he's alive but not really living because he is still mourning the death of his beloved sister and says he will never forgive himself.

Oprah also talks about Whitney's friendship with best friend/assistant Robin a relationship Cissy didn't approve of and she admitted that she DIDNT know the nature of their friendship and it could have been a gay relationship, one that Cissy adamantly said that she would never approve of , nor acknowledge her daughter being gay and absolutely without a doubt condone it.

Oprah also asked about her granddaughter Bobbi Kristina and it was evident that
relationship is estranged because Cissy demands respect and Bobbi Kristina knows she can't treat her grandmother any ole kind if way.


Overall it was a great interview and questions were definitely answered as Cissy said she wanted to set the record straight with the interview and her book. You could see the pain in her eyes and emptiness that Cissy lives with because she too is mourning her Nippy.



Kisha Green is a author  who has a passion for writing and sharing her witty personality with many through social media. For more info about Kisha, visit her websitewww.divabooksinconline.com and you can also follow her on Twitter @KishaGreen

Happy Birthday Whitney!!! We will always love you!

Arista Records to Debut 'Whitney Houston' 25th Anniversary CD/DVD, January 26

by Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

Are you Whitney fans ready for this? On January 26, 2010, Arista Records and Legacy Recordings will release the 25^th (can you believe it’s been that long?) Anniversary Edition of “Whitney Houston” the fabulous 1985 debut album that catapulted a young, stunning, lanky chanteuse from East Orange, New Jersey into the upper echelon of international pop super stardom.

This chart-topping, remastered original album includes five bonus tracks including Houston’s A Cappella recording of “How will I know” plus a stunning live performance of “Greatest Love of All.”

This Anniversary edition comes with a super surprise: a features packed DVD which includes three rare TV performances including “I am changing”, from the 1982 Broadway production of “Dreamgirls,” “You Give Good Love” from the first annual Soul Train Music Awards Show in 1987 and “Home” from Houston’s national television debut on the Merv Griffith show in 1983.

('Whitney Houston' - 25th Anniversary Edition CD/DVD Package)

Originally released on Valentine's Day 1985, "Whitney Houston" entered The Billboard 200 at #166 the week of March 30. A year later the album began its first seven-week run at #1, then spent three weeks at #2 before reclaiming the top slot for a jaw-dropping second seven-week stand.

This musical neutron bomb became a fixture on The Billboard 200 for 162 weeks, including a record-breaking 46 weeks in the Top 10 and 14 non-consecutive weeks at #1.

The strength, beauty and power of this hit factory album-- including four chart-topping singles ("You Give Good Love", "Saving All My Love For You", "How Will I Know", "Greatest Love of All") -- made "Whitney Houston" one of the most loved and enduring albums in pop music history.

The album was the most top-selling debut album ever released by a solo artist and went on to sell more than 25 million copies worldwide while earning RIAA-certified 13x Platinum status in the US (in recognition of domestic sales of more than 13 million pieces).

In 1986, "Whitney Houston" not only earned a "Best Album" Grammy nomination, but Houston also took home her first Grammy that year in the "Best Pop Vocal Female" Category for "Saving All My Love For You".

Today, 25 years later, Houston remains undefeated as she holds the record for most American Music Awards (21) having won her first seven AMA's and an MTV Video Award in 1986.

Houston’s performance during the 1986 Grammy Awards ceremony garnered the songbird her first Emmy for "Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety of Music" program. There was no doubt that Houston was a rising super star that would dominate the music charts for years to come.

"I cannot believe it has been 25 years since my first album!" writes Whitney Houston in her exclusive letter to fans appearing in the packaging for the 25th anniversary release of her debut. "I could never have done this without the support, encouragement and unconditional love from my fans all over the world. I love you all!"

'Whitney Houston' - 25th Anniversary Edition - Full Track listing
Disc 1 – CD
"You Give Good Love"
"Thinking About You"
"Someone For Me"
"Saving All My Love For You"
"Nobody Loves Me Like You Do"
"How Will I Know"
"All At Once"
"Take Good Care Of My Heart"
"Greatest Love of All"
"Hold Me" (Duet With Teddy Pendergrass)

Bonus Tracks
"Thinking About You" (Remix by Bruce Forest)
"Someone For Me" (Remix by Alan Coulthard)
"How Will I Know" (A Cappella)
"How Will I Know" (Remix by Jellybean)
"Greatest Love of All" (Live)

Disc 2 – DVD
"Home" Whitney Houston's premiere performance on the Merv Griffin Show
"I Am Changing" Live from the Arista Records 10th Anniversary celebration, 1985
"You Give Good Love" Live from the First Annual Soul Train Awards Show, 1987
"You Give Good Love" Music Video
"Saving All My Love" Music Video
"How Will I Know" Music Video
"Greatest Love Of All" Music Video
Interviews with Whitney Houston and Clive Davis

Check out the “Whitney Houston” 25^th Anniversary CD/DVD here
Whitney Houston on MySpace

Whitney Houston on Facebook

Whitney Houston on ilike.com

Pre-order your copy of “Whitney Houston” 25th Anniversary CD/DVD at Amazon.com

**Includes exclusive interviews with Clive Davis and Houston**

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HOUSTON: We Have a Problem

By Alicia Cruz
Senior writer
Theblackurbantimes

Songbird Whitney Houston isn't much of an early bird so her appearance on GMA had to be pre-taped this afternoon and all did not go well.

Seems like the comeback diva's voice gave out midway through her singing songs from her new album, "I Look To You" much to the chagrin of the fans.

"I’m so sorry. I did ‘Oprah.’ I’ve been talking for so long. … I talked so much, my voice,” she said, trailing off. “I shouldn’t be talking. I should be singing," said Houston.

Despite the diva's apologies, the 5000-plus crowd wasn't very happy and had no qualms expressing their peeve " “I expected it to be longer. She couldn’t sing. She was really damaged,” said Joao Andrade, 28, of North Bergen, N.J. “I’m a little disappointed. I think she was brave to come out with no voice.” Houston closed out the pre-taping with one of her classic hits, "I'm Every Woman."

According to a scathing review by the Wall Street Journal's (Speakeasy) Jim Fusilli, Houston's new album is large on "meekness" and "is an insult to the glory of her prior work." he added that, "There’s nothing Houston could’ve done to save the cheesy, wrongheaded arrangement of her cover of “A Song for You,” a ballad bludgeoned by a disco arrangement even Cher might’ve rejected. "

Ouch! Click HERE for more on Fusilli's review.
Houston's die-hard fans were just happy to see her back on stage and looking good. “It brought tears to my eyes,” said Raleigh Hatcher, 38, of Jersey City. “She’s been through so much in her life. She’s been working very hard, and it’s a lot to do. And she’s been doing it well.” We all wish Miss Whitney "crack is whack" Houston a successful return to the diva spotlight...............and hope she never loses her way again.

Whitney Houston a Morning Diva? NOT!

Whitney Houston is not a morning person. When she appears on "Good Morning America" in September, instead of singing live, her performance will be pre-taped the day before. "Lots of singers don't like to perform at 7:30 in the morning," explained an insider. Lesser stars would be forced to perform live, but Houston is such an icon, the producers couldn't say no. "She's the music 'get' of the season. They are so happy to have her," our source said.

Exclusive!! New Whitney Houston Song!!! I Look to you..Whitney is back!!!

click here for the track

Heavy Rains Flood Houston Roads

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Floodwaters drenched Houston streets early Tuesday after heavy overnight rains, forcing high-water rescues, soaking homes, closing schools and stranding motorists during rush-hour traffic.
"We just woke up to a puddle of water," said Cindy Rey as she and her husband tried to sweep away some 10 inches of floodwaters out of their home after overnight heavy rains. "I don’t think they mentioned it was going to rain as much as it did. We didn’t expect any flooding."
The couple said their furniture, television and other items were apparently ruined after water surged into their home early in the morning. They estimate more than a foot of water was outside and has since started receding.
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management was urging residents in flooded homes to stay indoors.
Some freeway and toll road stretches were closed after at least 6 inches of rain fell. According to emergency management officials, a rain gauge on Buffalo Bayou in far western Houston collected more than 6 inches overnight and nearly 9 inches in 24 hours. They also continue monitoring area reservoirs, which have risen at a high rate. A flood watch continued in effect through Tuesday evening for Southeast Texas.
The disrupted commute prompted some school districts to cancel classes for the day. It also prompted Houston school district officials to postpone the state-mandated Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam until Wednesday.
About 200 motorists were stranded for a couple of hours in a parking lot near Interstate 610 and U.S. 59 after they sought refuge from rising floodwaters on frontage roads.
Rescue workers from various departments in the county plucked several people from rushing water. Most were motorists who drove into flooding, said Mark Sloan, Harris County emergency management coordinator. Houston’s assistant fire chief, Adrian Trevino, says fire-rescue boats and high-clearance vehicles, including city dump trucks, were used in some high-water rescues of motorists Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported.
Three shelters were opened for Harris County residents but so far none were occupied, said Sloan.
"Most of the homes that have been impacted are still livable," Sloan said.
The rains came a day after tornadoes left damage in Corsicana and near Austin and Victoria.
Ten structures in Corsicana were damaged in the tornado that had winds of up to 90 mph and was on the ground for about four-tenths of a mile. Another tornado damaged more than 20 structures in the Williamson County community of Jonah, including 12 to 15 homes. In Yorktown, about 30 miles northwest of Victoria, a twister destroyed one home. No injuries were reported.

Whitney Suing Stepmother for $1.6 Mil

Whitney Houston is countersuing her stepmother for $1.6 million. The Grammy-winning singer claims Barbara Houston owes her the money for failing to make payments on the Fort Lee, N.J., condominium where she has lived since 1987.

Barbara Houston initiated the legal tussle last year when she claimed the 45-year-old singer improperly kept proceeds from John Houston's $1 million insurance policy after he died in 2003. The singer says she provided her father with a mortgage loan to purchase the condo and was still owed most of the principal and all the interest when he died.

Where's Whitney?

I have information on Whitney Houston's comeback to the music scene this year. According to Panache Report, Ne-Yo who exclusively working with Whitney on her new album that's expected to come out before the end of this year recently said, "People are expecting something fantastic and I think they are going to get it. Whitney doesn't want any sad songs on this record. She isn't going for tear jerkers. She's happy raising her children and wants her music to reflect that. It's already sounding great." The last time we saw a Whintey album was in 2003 with Just Whitney. I guess time will truly tell if Whitney still has it or if she will need to release another greatest hits and call it a day.