Although American radio has shown only moderate interest in the singles from Whitney's Preacher's Wife soundtrack (perhaps because of their heavy inspirational and gospel content), the music buying public conitnues to be enthralled with the diva's brilliant artistry. "Step by Step," the second single off the soundtrack has just been certified gold in the United States. This follows the plantinum certification achieved by the lead-off single, "I Believe In You and Me." Interestingly enough, neither of these singles managed to reached the number one spot on the pop charts, but their sales have, nonetheless, been impressively brisk. This is a considerable achievement, especially in the case of "Step by Step" which received limited radio play and failed to crack the top ten on Billboard's pop chart. Moreover, as Rob N. and Craig have noted on this page, Whitney has done very few appearances in support of the album here in the United States. The diva's reign continues, and I suspect thier is much more to come.

1. I agree wholeheartedly with the need for her to appear on the awards shows or even the late-night shows such as Leno or Letterman. It can only help.
2. There are supposed to be six singles released from the OST. Four will have been released by the end of April: I Believe in You and Me, Somebody Bigger Than You and I, Step By Step, and My Heart is Calling. There is only one secular song left on the soundtrack and that is You Were Loved. That means that last song has to be a Gospel one. I've heard conflicting reports as to what it will be but I think it will be one of three: Joy, Hold On Help is On The Way, or I Go To The Rock. So give it a little time and it will happen.

• Hot 100 Singles: "Step By Step" slides 6 notches from No. 37 to No. 43 in its 8th week on the chart.
• The Billboard 200: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack moves down 16 spots from No. 60 to No. 76 .

P.S. Here are some of my chart thoughts:

1. Perhaps if Whitney were able to attend some of the televised awards shows on which she is honored, "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack and the singles on the album would fare better on the charts. Many times, exposure on such shows spurs sales in the record stores.
2. Whitney's roots are in Gospel. So, it would be nice to see a Gospel track from "The Preacher's Wife" released as the A SIDE of a single. The pop songs are cool, but I must admit that I was a bit disappointed to read on your Nippy News that "My Heart Is Calling" is slated to be the next single. Sure, it has hit potential. After all, with Whitney on vocals and songwriting/production by Face, it is bound to do well. However, Gospel singles also fare well on the charts. Case in point: BeBe & CeCe Winans, in 1991, took "Addictive Love" and "I'll Take You There" (featuring Mavis Staples, who, with the Staple Singers, took the original version to No. 1 on the Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts in the 70's) to No. 1 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. Both singles also cracked the top 40 on the Hot 100. Not since Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" has there been a Gospel single at No. 1 on the pop charts. If anybody can do it, it's Whitney, especially backed by the uplifting Georgia Mass Choir. America, today, is in spiritual need. Many people would welcome a song praising the Name of the Lord on the airwaves. Additionally, Gospel sells in the stores. Just look at the multiplatinum sales of "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack, Kirk Franklin and the Family, BeBe and CeCe, Jars of Clay, dc talk, Amy Grant, and Steven Curtis Chapman. Therefore, how 'bout it Whitney?

• Casey: Falls out of the countdown after peaking at No. 22 and spending 7 weeks on the chart.
• Rick Dees: Drops from No. 23 to No. 39 .

Here are Billboard Magazine chart info for the week ending April 26, 1997:

• Billboard 200 Albums: The Preacher's Wife soundtrack falls from #44 to #60 .
• Hot 100 Singles: "Step By Step" falls from #31 to #37.
• Gospel Album: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack is *still* No. 1!

• "I Believe In You And Me" debuts at no. 80, the fifth highest debut of the week. (Highest is the Spice Girls' "2 Become 1" (#5)
• "Step By Step" falls to no. 29 from no. 17 on an incredible 17th week on the chart, most in the top twenty!

• "Step By Step" peaks at no. 22 on the Pop Charts but has since left.
• "Step By Step" is at number 17 on the Adult Contemporary Charts, peaking at number 9, 3 weeks ago.
• "I Believe In You And Me" is at number 18 on the Adult Contemporary Charts, a former number 1.

• Casey: "Step By Step" moves down 10 notches from No. 28 to No. 38 .
• Rick Dees: "Step By Step" slips down one spot from No. 22 to No. 23 .
• R&B Singles: "Step By Step" steps up another 2 positions to No. 29.

• Hot 100 Singles: "Step By Step" steps down 9 notches from No. 22 to No. 31 in its 6th week on the chart.
• The Billboard 200: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack moves down 1 spot from No. 43 to No. 44 in its 19th week on the chart.
• R&B Singles: "Step By Step" holds at No. 29 for the 2nd consecutive week.

• Casey: "Step By Step" slips 6 notches from No. 22 to No. 28 .
• Rick Dees: "Step By Step" holds at No. 22 for the second week in a row.

• Adult Contemporary Singles Chart: "I Believe In You And Me" is No. 12
• Adult Contemporary Singles Chart: "Step By Step" is No. 15.

• Hot 100 Singles: "I Believe In You And Me" moves up a notch from No. 45 to No. 44 .
• Hot 100 Singles: "Step By Step" slips from No. 17 to No. 22 .
• The Billboard 200: "The Preacher's Wife" soundtrack slides from No. 39 to No. 43 .
• Top Gospel Albums: Make it week No. 17 at *** No. 1 *** for the soundtrack to "The Preacher's Wife"!

• "I Believe In You And Me" slips from No. 31 to No. 37 in its 14th week on the chart.
• "Step By Step" holds at No. 34 it its third week on the chart.