2 of 3

What are your earliest memories of singing spiritual standards like "Rise, Shine and Give God the Glory" or "Jesus Loves Me," songs that you cover on this new CD?

Warwick Those are songs that were performed and recorded by some of greatest gospel signing groups and soloists of our time. And of course I've been involved in our church and we sang these songs basically every Sunday, so it's ingrained in me. It wasn't very difficult for me to find songs to sing!

What are your memories of church as a little girl? Those are your earliest musical roots, right?

Warwick Absolutely! My grandfather was a minister, so a great deal of my time was spent in church and I come from a gospel singing family, so again, a great deal of time was spent in church. Then forming our own gospel group, we spent lot of time in church yet again, so church always was and always will be a part of my life.

Are you still able to attend church with your busy schedule?

Warwick As often as I can.

What's it like to reconnect with your church?

Warwick It's wonderful. It's like going home!

What are the greetings like? Do you find that it's just like family or do they treat you differently after finding so much fame?

Warwick It's absolutely [like family]. The older church mothers are still there and the kids I grew up with in my church choir are there. With them, I'm just Dionne. No special treatment at all! I just thank God they've all been very, very supportive.

Since your roots were in gospel, did you experience any negative feedback from the church community when you started experiencing so much mainstream success back in the day, singing the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David?

Warwick You know, this question came up a lot, so I'll tell you what my grandfather used to say—like I said, he was a minister and also my biggest fan. He told me, "First off, you're doing something that uses the talent God gave you, and you're using it to the best of your ability. It's an honest living and you having nothing to be ashamed of."

What have your fans nowadays been saying about your return to sacred songs?

Warwick I've gotten so many emails from my fan base—and even outside of it—with people asking, "What took you so long?"

When our site reviewed the new record, we received a lot of similar feedback from readers. But others also asked about your involvement with the Psychic Friends Network. How did you reconcile that infomercial with your spiritual beliefs?

Warwick I was the hostess of the show and that's the end of it! That hasn't been on for twenty years.

So, you viewed yourself more as the host of the show rather than someone endorsing the content?

Warwick That's exactly what I was doing. Anyone who really watched the show would know that.

We'll move on then. People also remember you for your charity work, particularly being one of the first artists to reach out to the AIDS community by recording "That's What Friends Are For."

Warwick It was kind of given to the problem itself to raise funds and awareness. Those who felt they didn't want to be involved with it—to be seen giving money or being heard talking about the crisis—that song was an avenue to reach out without any stigma.

Outside of the AIDS connection, how has that song endured in other arenas?

Warwick I've gotten into wonderful conversations regarding the song being used for graduations, weddings, births, somebody's birthday, or just friendship in general. You know, in all of those instances, they get it.

next page... |  2 of 3