Read Online The Whitney I Knew by BeBe Winans, Timothy Willard - Free Book Online Page B

beds.”
    â€œWhat? He’s supposed to make up the beds and wash the sheets . . .”
    In mid-sentence she stood up again and marched to the front of the bus. “And when we get out to get something to eat, you need to make up all these beds.”
    Boy, were we glad she was along on
that
tour! That bus driver was getting away with murder, according to Whitney. She schooledus on touring protocols, empowered us with knowledge—empowered us with
herself
.

    When Whitney decided to take a break at the height of her career, there was no stopping her. She took some time to hang out with CeCe and me, even though it meant defying her record label’s president, Clive Davis, and all the other executives. So be it. It was important to her to keep it real.
    Now, every great singer—including Whitney—started by singing backup for someone. It’s a great way to hone your skills. Clearly, though, Whitney didn’t need honing at that point. The real reason she came to tour with us was to have fun—to feel not like “Whitney Houston.” She did it to step out of the spotlight and into our lives, where she could be a little more at ease. When she was around my family, the weight of her fame seemed to lift a bit. She could slip into the background and sing for singing’s sake.
    Still, when people came to our concerts and then realized that Whitney Houston was singing behind us, all the attention shifted. The cameras went straight for Whitney. CeCe and I would crack up.
    When we were all together, we enjoyed every moment. There were no masks to wear; it was just friends singing their favorite songs and having a good time. If you watch Whitney’s and CeCe’s performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards, you’ll see them bringing down the house. You’ll also catch a glimpse of two sisters ushering in a worship service right there at the Grammys. GO TO TheWhitneyIKnewVideos.com TO VIEW THIS AND OTHER BONUS MATERIAL.
    Whitney showed up so many times to sing with us that we started keeping an extra microphone on set, just in case she burst onto the stage. I remember one time Whitney called me because she was in LA at the same time we were. CeCe, Whitney, and I had each been nominated for an Image Award. Whitney found out that CeCe and I were leaving the awards early because we had two concerts.
    â€œWhat time y’all singing tonight?”
    â€œAt 9 and at 10:30. Why?
    â€œOkay, I can’t make the first one, but I’m going to come out for the second show.”
    And she did come out. She arrived at 10:25 pm. And before the evening was over, she was on stage with us, singing.
    From then on, I always had to remind her that she was Whitney Houston and that she had her own band. She didn’t care. She loved singing with us; she loved being with us. And we loved it too.
    One final tidbit about how crazy Whitney could be when it came to CeCe’s and my music. One night on tour in Russia, I was relaxing in my hotel room when the phone rang. It was Whitney.
    â€œBeBe, listen. Listen hard . . . and just obey me.”
    â€œWhat? Why are you calling me?”
    â€œJust shut up and listen. CeCe is probably coming to your room right now; I just got off the phone with her. She said she’s going home. She’s homesick and wants to be with her kids. But I’m telling you, don’t say nothing except ‘yes’ and ‘okay.’ If she leaves, I’ll fly to Russia and finish the tour.”
    Whitney started giving me all kinds of information: she had booked her flight; she was on her way;
she
would finish the tour. By the time she finished telling me all this, I heard a knock on my door.
    â€œHold on, Whitney; someone’s at the door.”
    It was CeCe. She was crying. “I’m going home. I’m not doing this . . .”
    CeCe rambled on and on . . . She was a mess. “I just talked to Whitney.