Thelma Houston On November 17th’s CARRY Foundation Gala At The Beverly Hilton Hotel & What Else She Has Coming Up

Less than a decade after she released her debut album via Motown Records, Thelma Houston had a #1 hit with 1977’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” A Grammy Award-winning song written by Gamble & Huff with Cary Gilbert, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” has also been a hit for Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and the British artist The Communards, in addition to being covered by Cher during her Las Vegas residency. Houston has also had other international hits with “If It’s The Last Thing I Do,” “If You Feel It,” and “Saturday Night, Sunday Morning,” as she has never stopped recording, creatively releasing the Forty-Two EP in collaboration with Janitor in 2013.

Beyond her musical and acting careers, Thelma Houston is also active with a variety of great causes. One such cause is the CARRY Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of foster children and other at-risk youth. On November 17th, CARRY will be hosting its 10th annual gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel with actresses and activists Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance set to be honored. Beyond Houston, other celebrities scheduled to attend are Black-ish‘s Yara Shahidi, Incubus guitarist Michael Einzegir, Grace & Frankie‘s Ernie Hudson, Billy Davis Jr., and Marilyn McCoo. The Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra is also scheduled to perform.

On behalf of The Hype Magazine, I had the pleasure of asking Ms. Houston a few questions about C.A.R.R.Y and what else she has coming up. More on Thelma Houston can be found online at www.thelmahouston.com.

How did you first find out about the CARRY Foundation?

Thelma Houston: I first learned about CARRY from Dr. Pearl Grimes.

What draws you most to the CARRY cause?

Thelma Houston: I’m drawn to CARRY because it provides a much-needed service for our kids in the foster care program.

Any idea what you be performing at the upcoming gala?

Thelma Houston: I like to give upbeat performances, which more than likely will include my Grammy Award-winning song, “Don’t Leave Me This Way.”

Aside from this upcoming event, what is coming up for you in your career?

Thelma Houston: More performances of my one woman 90-minute show, My Motown Memories And More, and writing my autobiography.

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?

Thelma Houston: I am very fortunate to have family close by, so I spend a lot of time being a grandmother to four wonderful grandchildren ranging in ages from 16 to their 20s and one great-grandson. I also enjoy refinishing furniture, cooking, hiking, working out in my boot camp exercise group.

Is there something you wish more people knew about Thelma Houston?

Thelma Houston: I wish more people knew that I am still alive, and kicking. (laughs)

Finally, Thelma, any last words for the kids?

Thelma Houston: I would say to any young folks who had aspirations of being in the music industry: Do it because you LOVE it.

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Tags: Angela Bassett, CARRY, CARRY Foundation, Cher, Courtney Vance, Dr. Pearl Grimes, Gamble & Huff, Motown Records, Thelma Houston

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."