Thelma Houston

Biography on “Grammy Legend”
Thelma Houston

After 43 years of performing, Thelma Houston continues to celebrate her outstanding career and shows no signs of slowing down. Shout Factory Records, (distributed by Sony/BMG), recently released Thelma Houston’s latest musical gift,
“A Woman’s Touch”. Thelma’s 22nd CD features her very rich interpretations of many classic R&B and pop recordings, originally made famous by such male vocalists as Luther Vandross, Rev. Al Green, Sting and Marvin Gaye.

And in April 2009 Thelma was honored to perform on the 1 rated television show
in the America, ”American Idol” where she “tore it up” for an estimated audience of over 25million people. And in Sept. Thelma was called upon to open up the “final” of the HUGE summer show called “America’s Got Talent” for an estimated TV audience of over 18 million people.

A Mississippi native, Thelma started out in the 60’s performing in gospel music with the Art Reynolds Singers. She then signed to Capitol Records (home of the Beatles,
Nat King Cole and Nancy Wilson) in 1967 and had her first hit song called “Baby
Mine.”

Soon Thelma was being courted by several record labels and signed with ABC/Dunhill where she recorded and released her first solo album called “Sunshower” which was written, arranged and produced by the legendary Jimmy Webb. After this critically acclaimed album was released, Thelma decided to accept an offer from one of the biggest record companies around…..Motown Records.

With Motown Records, Thelma claimed the top of the Pop, R&B and Dance charts with her high-powered rendition of "Don't Leave Me This Way".  That Gold Record classic gave Thelma the distinction of being the first solo female artist at Motown to win the Grammy Award for "Best R&B Female Vocal Performance".

Recently Thelma rocked Rockefeller Center on NBC’s Today Show’s and the summer music special “Hit Me Baby, One More Time”  She dazzled ABC-TV’s “Motown 45” and glittered at ABC-TV’s “The Disco Ball”. Along with Aretha Franklin & Mary Wilson, she raised the roof on “Love, Rhythm and Blues” for PBS.  The legendary Nile Rogers called upon Thelma to be his “special guest” for a sold out concert at the Hollywood Bowl.  Thelma also toured with CHER on her “Living Proof” concert tour and recently headlined at Harrah’s in Las Vegas.

Known as a humanitarian for her charitable causes and her tireless efforts in the battle
against AIDS, the City of West Hollywood proclaimed a special day as "Thelma Houston Day".  

She has donated her talents to numerous charities including a recent performance at “Devine Design” for Project Angel Food, AIDS Project Los Angeles & the Minority AIDS Project, for which she donated her $20,000 winnings from the TV show “Hit Me Baby” to. Thelma is also very active in the Beverly Hills/Hollywood branch of the NAACP.

She has also been inducted into the “Dance Music Hall of Fame” in New York City
and honored as an “Apollo Legend” on the syndicated hit TV show, “Showtime at the Apollo”.

Thelma has appeared with Phoebe Snow, Chaka Khan, Mavis Staples and CeCe Peniston as the "Sisters of Glory" in New York City.  This rousing performance
received a special request to perform at The Vatican for The Pope.

With appearances from Tokyo to Las Vegas to London and beyond, Thelma continues to bring audiences to their feet with her dynamic, energetic show. This Diva logs over 200 performances annually and the singer/songwriter is enjoying every moment of her success, "I still feel a tremendous excitement about performing", states the upbeat songstress, "and I have so many more things I want to do and I have NO plans to retire”. Thelma's makes her main home in Los Angeles, Ca.