Cissy Houston Cissy Houston Emily "Cissy" Houston (née Drinkard; born September 30, 1933) is an American soul and gospel singer. After a successful career singing backup for such artists as Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, Houston embarked on a solo career, winning two Grammy Awards for her work. Houston is the mother of singer Whitney Houston, grandmother of Bobbi Kristina Brown, aunt of singers Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and a cousin of opera singer Leontyne Price. Born Emily Drinkard in Newark, New Jersey, to Nitcholas and Delia Mae Drinkard (née McCaskill), she was the eighth and final child; older
Hold Me (Teddy Pendergrass & Whitney Houston song) Hold Me (Teddy Pendergrass & Whitney Houston song) "Hold Me" is a ballad duet performed by American singers Teddy Pendergrass and Whitney Houston. It was written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed for Pendergrass's eighth studio album "Love Language" (1984). Production was overseen by Masser who used one of his earlier arrangements that he had produced for "In Your Arms", a song recorded by singer Diana Ross for her 1982 album "Silk Electric", on the duet. "Hold Me" was among the singles released from Pendergrass's album and was later included in Houston's 1985 self-titled debut album, serving as the debut