*Pop culture journalist Jawn Murray recently paid homage to Dionne Warwick by rallying together several celebrities to record a virtual performance of the singer’s 1985 ballad “That’s What Friends Are For.”
The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, and was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film “Night Shift.” But it’s Warwick’s 1985 cover with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder that is most popular.
Now 35 years later, Murray said he reached out to his network of industry friends about participating in the special project for Dionne.
Watch the clip below.
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Over 24 vocalists submitted videos for the collaboration, including: Yolanda Adams, “American Idol” star Ruben Studdard, Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, Cheryl “Coko” Gamble of the R&B group SWV, CeCe Peniston, jazz powerhouse Maysa, Broadway performer Trenyce, “Sunday Best” winner Y’Anna Crawley, and Kenny Lattimore… just to name a few, per New York Daily News.
“I’ve been blessed to develop relationships with some truly gifted people, and I was overwhelmed by how easily each one of them included said, ‘yes!’,” Murray told The Daily News.
“I’m grateful to the artists, the musician/producer Phil Walker and to all of the people who have sent messages and made posts about how they’ve been impacted by it,” he added. “That makes my heart smile.”
On Tuesday, Dionne praised Murray “for strengthening the meaning of friendship and for assembling this wonderful array of artists to not only sing but show how much words of hope and sincere encouragement mean,” she said.
“What Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Elton John captured in the original was truly something special so when I got the vision to do something to offer people some hope and encouragement in a time where physical distancing and quarantine life is taking a toll on so many, I felt this song would be the perfect thing to create that inspiration around,” said Murray.
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