Phil Collins, Elton John, and Gloria Estefan dominated Adult Contemporary radio back in the 1980s and '90s, yet have disappeared from modern radio. Seemingly, the only time you ever hear them is at the grocery store or your local CVS. This blog remembers the music, the stories and the quirky characters from my days working in Adult Contemporary radio.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Toni Braxton - "Breathe Again"
Toni Braxton can thank Eddie Murphy's dramedy Boomerang for propelling her career -- but she can also thank Anita Baker for being pregnant. Let's explain: in the '80s, Braxton originally performed with her sisters in a group named The Braxtons. The five ladies didn't manage to breakthrough, but Toni's solo effort with "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" on the Boomerang Soundtrack happened by chance. Anita Baker was supposed to sing the ballad, but she was pregnant at the time and recommended Braxton sing the tune. The result was Braxton's first solo hit and a record deal with Babyface's LaFace Records. A year later, Toni released her first solo album with "Breathe Again" achieving Top 5 status on the Adult Contemporary Chart.