January 1997 Nippy News

January 1997 Nippy News

1/31/97

The video for "I Believe In You And Me" jumps up to #13 on MTV's Top 20. -- Rachel.

1/30/97

Sadiq V. has recently seen a new version of the "Step By Step" video. it has some new footage of a building being burned and a fire brigade attending to it. This is followed by a bunch of young 'uns helping to rejuvenate it, by cleaning up and decorating it there is also new footage of a group of dancers and some new shots of Whitney, in the same surroundings I am not sure if the song is a new mix, but it sounded funkier. Overall the new version has a Harder and raw attitude. (Submitted by: Sadiq V.)

Here are Billboard updates for the week ending February 8, 1997:
Though, at first it doesn't look too good. However, Whitney's triumphs at the American Music Awards, and her undoubted wins at the upcoming NAACP Image Awards and the Grammy Awards should spur upward chart movement again.

Hot 100 Singles: "I Believe In You And Me" slips from No. 4 to No. 5.
Hot R&B Singles: "I Believe In You And Me" moves down from No. 4 to No. 6.
Adult Contemporary: "I Believe In You And Me" holds at No. 4.
The Billboard 200: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack slides from No. 7 to No. 8.
Top R&B Albums: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack drops from No. 5 to No. 9.

(submitted by: Rob N.)

1/29/97

More good news on STEP BY STEP:

RNB/RAP/SOUL LIST IN NORWAY: # 5
RADIO OSLOFJORD TOP 25 : # 11 (up from # 22, her 9th week!)
P4 RADIO LIST : # 14 (up from # 26, her 3rd week!)

(submitted by: Lizzybell)

Yohan has sent me some more Whintey pictures... Some I have never seen anywhere before! Check them out! Thanks, Yohan!

1/28/97

Whitney is up from # 11 to # 8 with her all to the good "STEP BY STEP" on MTV TOP 20!(submitted by: Lizzybell)

Here are Radio & Records updates for "I Believe In You And Me" the week off January 24, 1997:

Urban AC: holds at No. 1 for the second consecutive week
Urban: rises from No. 3 to No. 2
AC: holds at No. 3, but with a bullet
Hot AC: rises from No. 18 to No. 16

(submitted by Rob N.)

WHY WEREN'T THEY AT THE AWARDS? Whitney and Bobby said they missed the plane in Orlando Flordia... (submitted by: Christina S.)

1/27/97

CONGRATULATIONS, WHITNEY!!! Whitney won both awards she was nominated for at tonight's American Music Awards. Whitney won for BEST SOUNDTRACK: "Waiting To Exhale" and for BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ARTIST. Neither Whitney nor her husband Bobby attanded the ceremony. :-( What a bummer!

Whitney was also honored as an improtant figure in the "Year of the Woman" in tonight's American Music Awards! Garth Brooks chronicled the "Year of the Woman" and said that the Year began with a bang with Whitney, the "Waiting To Exhale" movie and it's successful soundtrack... and ended on a great note with Whitney and "The Preacher's Wife" movie and soundtrack.

According to my little sister, Alexandra, the video for "Step By Step" is out in North America. She caught the last 2.5 seconds of it today on MusiquePlus (French-Canadian version of MTV).

Ralph M. has sent me an article about 'How To Marry A Black Man', Whitney's next project.

Whitney's "Step By Step" is ** NO 8 ** on the singles chart in Australia. It moves up 5 places from last week's debut of NO 13. (submitted by: Yohan)

1/26/97

The American Music Awards air Monday night at 8. The bad news ia that the offical site does not make any mention of Whitney. I am hoping that, since Bobby Brown's group, New Edition, will be performing, Whitney will be there with her husband.

1/24/97

Rob N. Found a picture of Whitney from her appearance at the The Rosie O'Donnell Show last December.

1/23/97

Here are the Billboard Magazine updates for the week ending February 1, 1997:

Preacher's Wife Soundtrack:

down one spot to #7 on the 200 Album Chart.
down one spot to #5 in the R&B Albums Chart.

"I Believe In You And Me" single:

up one to #4 on the Hot 100 Singles Chart.
holds at No. 4 for the second week in a row on the Hot R&B Singles Chart.
moves up from No. 5 to No. 4 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

(submitted by: Rob N.) I think I'm gonna make a separate page for Whitney on the Charts... coming soon! -- Rachel

1/21/97

David B. asked this of the Fan club:Subject: Re: Status of the Release date for Whitney's Greatest Hits Package Date: Mon, 20 Jan 1997 11:20:12 -0500 From: mission@tuna.net To: David Bailey Right now, there are no plans to release a greatest-hits compilation by Whitney Houston. Thanks for writing. (submitted by: David B.)

From the 1/25/97 issue of Billboard Magazine:

"Step by Step" debuted at #29 on the Dance Club chart,
"I Believe In You And Me"
moved up from #5 to #4 on the R&B Singles chart,
stayed at #5 on the Hot 100 Singles chart,
moved up from #7 to #5 on the Adult Contemporary chart,
moved up from #25 to #24 on the Adult Top 40 chart,
fell from #39 to #42 on the Maxi-Singles Sales chart,
"The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack
fell from #2 to #4 on the R&B Albums chart,
fell from #4 to #6 on the Pop Album chart,
and remained at #1 on the Gospel Album chart.

(submitted by: Ralph M.)

Here's the latest news from Arista Records: "The Preacher's Wife" OST has gone double platinum so far... ...keep on buying and buying like we are Engernizers....buying, buying and buying..... (submitted by: Tom-Issara C.)

The latest Arista Records news release. Read all about it! (submitted by: Tom-Issara C.)

1/18/97

Whitney's New Single "Step By Step" Debut on the Australian top 40 charts at ** Number 13 **. It was a great surprise. This is the year's highest debut single of the week and of the year and proves that Whitney is the true Queen of POP. (submitted by: Yohan)

While "I Believe In You And Me" continues to climb Radio & Records' charts, this week (January 17, 1997), the single jumps to No. 1, leaping from No. 3 to the top, on the Urban AC chart. (submitted by: Rob N.)

I've found a small Whitney Discussion Group at the Cdnow.com website.

1/17/97

SOUTH AMERICA!!! "The Preacher's Wife" will be in cinemas aproximately on January 30th (el treinta de enero) and the title in Spanish will be "Caido del Cielo". (submitted by: Javier M.)

If you missed the VH-1 Whitney interview, it will repeated on:

Friday Jan. 17 at 9 AM.
Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 8 PM

They will also be airing the Whitney Houston Video Collection on:

Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 9 AM
Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 9 PM

Anyone with cable having problems receiving VH1 should call 1-800-595-0099. Please check your local listings to confirm airing schedule. (from the Whitney Houston Platinum Club)

The soundtracks to Whitney's last two movies have reached new heights during the past month. Sales of "The Bodyguard" in the U.S. now top 16 million copies, not only increasing it's lead as the No.1 selling album in the U.S. of the 90's, but it also registers as one of the five biggest selling albums in the U.S. -- ever.

"Waiting To Exhale" increases it's sales level and registered 8 million copies by the end of December. (submitted by: Manish)

In the January 18, 1997 issue of Billboard, "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack continues to hold at *** No. 1 *** on the Top Gospel Albums chart. Since this is a biweekly chart, it does not appear in the January 25 issue. (submitted by: Rob N.)

WHITNEY IN NORWAY!!! Whitney is #1 with "Staep By Step" on KREATIV radio. Whitney is played much up there. Unfortunately, she slips down 10 to #13 with "Step By Step" on radio Oslofjord. (submitted by: Lizzybell)

Read this Electronic Urban Report article.

1/16/97

If you missed the VH1 Video Collection of Whitney Houston, it will be on again on Friday, January 17, at 6:00 pm and Saturday, January 18, at 6:00 pm on VH1. (submitted by: R. Downs)

The British music series 'The O-ZONE' is repeating the Whitney interview on Sunday 19th January 1997 at 11:45am. Don't miss it (like I did the first time around!). (submitted by: Ian B.)

Here are Billboard updates for the week ending January 25,1997:

Hot 100 Singles:

In your Nippy News, you reported that "I Believe In You And Me" holds at No. 5 for the third week in a row. Never fear, though. The single could still go to No. 1 since there is no chart movement for singles No. 1 through No. 9.

Hot R&B Singles:

"I Believe In You And Me" moves up from No. 5 to No. 4.

Adult Contemporary:

"I Believe In You And Me" jumps from No. 7 to No. 5.
(submitted by: Rob N.)

Billboard Magazine reports that The Preacher's Wife soundtrack falls from #4 last week to #6 this week (Album sales). It is also #4 on the R&B Charts.
In the songles chart, "I Belive in You And Me" holds at #5. -- Rachel.

1/15/97

"I Believe In You And Me" debutes at #35 on Rick Dees Top 40. -- Rachel.

Cross-dressing basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman led Mr. Blackwell's 37th Annual Worst-Dressed Women List.

Blackwell had praise for some celebrities. Gwyneth Paltrow, Lauren Bacall, Madonna, Fran Drescher, Whitney Houston, Chelsea Clinton, Bette Midler, Winona Ryder, Sharon Lawrence and Christine Baranski were hailed as "fabulous fashion independents." (submitted by: Tom C.)

1/13/97

This is what David read: Whitney put off her Japan tour until March. She is going to start filming "Cinderella" in March. Halle Berry is going to star as Dorethy Dandrige, under Whitney's production company; Whitney will do the soundtrack. Her greatest hits package is coming out in March. (submitted by: David B.)

Last night, the People's Choice Awards aired: Whitney lost to Reba McEntire. :-(

1/12/97

If you didn't read Vibe Magazine's "WHOLLY WHITNEY" article from a year ago, you can catch-up at http://www.vibe.com/archive/decjan95/docs/whitney.html.

Whitney has entered the European Top 20 at #19 with "Step By Step", and still climbing up on the "Hit List UK" chart (where it debuted at #17, moved up to #15 and still tends to move on up!). (submitted by: Isaac S.)

"Step By Step" was also chosen as #5 for the latest Dial MTV contest broadcasted daily on the European MTV channel. Let's hope more people request it! If you wish to contribute your vote dial the following number (in the UK) and ask for "Step By Step" as your favorite video showing on MTV.

From outside UK dial : 00-44-171-75-77-027.

(submitted by: Isaac S.)

1/10/97

The 28th annual NAACP Image Awards will be held on February 8 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, hosted by Patti LaBelle and Arsenio Hall. It will be broadcast on February 27 on FOX. Here's the categories that Whitney was nominated in:

BEST ALBUM: "The Preacher's Wife" Soundtrack (also nominated were "Emancipation" by The Artist, "Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite" by Maxwell, "New World Order" by Curtis Mayfield, and "The Score" by the Fugees)

BEST ACTRESS: for "The Preacher's Wife" (also nominated were Jada Pinkett for "Set It Off", Queen Latifah for "Set It Off", Phylicia Rashad for "Once Upon A Time...When We Were Colored", and Whoopi Goldberg for "Ghosts of Mississippi")

"The Preacher's Wife" was also nominated for Best Picture, along with "A Time To Kill", "Courage Under Fire", "Get On The Bus", and "Once Upon A Time...When We Were Colored"
(submitted by: Ralph M.)

1/9/97

Here are Billboard updates for the week ending January 18, 1997:

Hot 100 Singles and Hot R&B Singles: "I Believe In You And Me" holds at No. 5 (2 weeks on the Hot 100 and 3 weeks on the Hot R&B).

Hot Adult Contemporary: "I Believe In You And Me" holds at No. 7 for the second week.

The Billboard 200: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack moves back up from No. 5 to No. 4 .

The Top R&B Albums: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack falls from No. 1 to No. 2.

(submitted by: Rob N.)

According to Entertainment Tonight, Whitney is nominated for an Image award. (submitted by: Carlos C.)

For more info about the upcoming Grammy Awards, go to http://www.grammy.com/.

1/8/97

Whitney has been named Artist of the Month (January 1997) on VH-1!!! -- Rachel.

You can now download the new video and more new stuff on my Audio & Video page.

1/7/97

RADIO OSLOFJORD TOP 25: Whitney jumps from # 13 to # 3 (!!!!) this week. That's Whitney's 6th week on the top 25, pretty groovy huh? (submitted by: Lizzybell)

"Waiting To Exhale" has an amazing ELEVEN nominations for this year's Grammy Awards, spread over six categories. The Soundtrack and Babyface (who is mainly responsible and earns a record breaking TWELVE nominations in total) monopolies the list. Whitney Houston earns three nominations that she can collect herself!:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: 
Waiting To Exhale, Various Artists, Babyface.

SONG OF THE YEAR:
Exhale (Shoop Shoop) - Babyface, Songwriter.

BEST POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS: 
Count On Me - Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans.

BEST FEMALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE:
Exhale (Shoop Shoop) - Whitney Houston.
Not Gon' Cry - Mary J Blige.
Sittin' Up In My Room - Brandy.

BEST R&B SONG:
Exhale (Shoop Shoop) - Babyface.
Sittin' Up In My Room - Babyface.

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURE/TELEVISION: 
Count On Me - Babyface, Whitney Houston, Michael Houston 
Exhale (Shoop Shoop) - Babyface.
It Hurst Like Hell - Babyface.

Add to that, Babyface has been nominated as PRODUCER OF THE YEAR for his work on "Waiting To Exhale", "Secrets" (Toni Braxton) as well as singles from his own album and "Change The World" for Eric Clapton.

Looks like it could well be Babyface's & Whitney's (And Waiting To Exhale's!) night!(submitted by: Manish)

1/6/97

I noticed both major tabloids had Whitney on the cover, with stories concerning her rescent miscarriage and headlines alluding to "Whitney doesn't know if she will ever be able to have more children". Basically, the articles lacked substance and those tabloids are not worth buying! If you are too curious, just read it while waiting in line and PUT IT BACK when finished. Whitney dispises those scumbags who try to profit from her terrible ordeal.
-- Rachel

1/5/97

"I Believe In You And Me" is up one place on the US Hot 100 to No.5 on the chart w/e 11th Jan 1997.

"The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack holds it's position at No.1 on the R&B Album chart and slips down to No.5 on the Billboard 200 album chart. (submitted by: Manish)

1/2/97

Mr. Showbiz has a Whitney interview from mid-December. (submitted by: Alexandra D. (my little sister)

1/2/97

Here are some Billboard chart updates for the week ending January 4, 1996.

Hot 100 Singles: "I Believe In You And Me" rises from No. 7 to No. 6 in its 2nd week on the chart.

The Billboard 200: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack holds at No. 3 .

The Top R&B Albums: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack jumps from No. 2 to *** No. 1 *** !!!
(submitted by: Rob N.)