Dr. Emily Cissy Houston’s lengthy career in music has been nothing short of amazing and this year, we’re proud to honor her at the 2017 ESSENCE Festival Gospel Tribute as part of the ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.
Set to take place on Sunday, July 2, this year’s ESSENCE Empowerment Experience Gospel Tribute will celebrate Dr. Houston’s influence on Soul, R&B and Gospel music with a star-studded line up of performers. Free and open to the public, the tribute will feature performances from CeCe Winans,JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise,Kelly Price,Tyronne Foster & The Arc Singers,Chante Moore,PJ Morton,Jekalyn Carr, Gene Moore and a special surprise guest who’s sure to bring the house down.
An accomplished singer and songwriter, Dr. Houston’s multi-faceted history in music has a presence in both Soul and Gospel music that dates back 6 decades. She first got her start in the industry as a child, where she joined her sisters to form the gospel singing group, The Drinkard Sisters. In the mid 1960s, she joined forces with her niece Dee Dee Warwick and songstress Doris Troy as a part of the Sweet Inspirations singing trio. The group later went on to sing back up for a host of notable artists including Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Lou Rawls and her niece, Dionne Warwick.
As a solo artist, Dr. Houston has released a total of 10 studio albums to date and has won two Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Gospel Album. She’s also provided background vocalist for and endless list of other music icons including Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Beyonce, Bette Midler and her daughter, Whitney Houston.
