Dionne Warwick on DWUETS, Music Legacy & Her Final Tour

 On this episode we have a truly iconic guest joining us – Six time Grammy Award winner, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the most celebrated voices in music history - Dionne Warwick! 

With a legendary career spanning more than 65 years, Dionne remains one of the most charted and influential vocalists of all time, with timeless classics including Walk On By, Alfie and Don’t Make Me Over helping shape generations of music! 

During her extraordinary career, Dionne has been honoured with induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame, National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame - Cementing her place among music royalty! 

Dionne is now preparing to release DWUETS, her forthcoming and final studio album, featuring high-profile collaborations including Cynthia Erivo and John Legend, with production led by Grammy-winning producer Damon Elliott and songs written by acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren! 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:17

Hi everyone, thanks to this episode and you're getting times. On this episode, we have a truly iconic guest joining us. Six time Grammy Award winner, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, rock and roll hall of famey Duck D, and one of the most celebrated voices in music history, Dion Warrior. With a legendary career spanning more than 65 years, Dion remains one of the most charted and influential vocalists of all time, with timeless classics including Walk On By, Alfie, and Don't Make Me Over, helping shape generations of music. During her extraordinary career, Dion has been honored with induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame, National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Apollo Theatre Walk of Fame, cementing her place among music royalty. Dion is now preparing to release duets, her forthcoming and final studio album, featuring high-profile collaborations including Cynthia Arevo and John Legend, with production led by Grammy winning producer Damon Elliott, and songs written by acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren. We're truly honored to welcome the legendary Diane Warwick to the Nikegan Times, and let's jump straight into it. Dion, tell us about the new duet album that's coming out, and also share with us who produced the project and helped bring these songs together.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

Called DWE. And I'm working with the writing genius of Diane Warren, and also the most incredible producer that I know of, who has taken it upon himself to give me what I feel is the best CD I've ever done, and that's Damon Elliott.

SPEAKER_01 1:51

Two singles from Duets, Ocean and Desert with Cynthia Arrivo and Where is Your Heart with John Legend are now available. What was it like collaborating with both Cynthia and John on these recordings?

SPEAKER_00 2:03

Absolutely incredible. Now, when you have um people who are really ready to do what you've asked them to do, first of all, to get an an immediate yes from both of them was quite overwhelming. As has been with every single person I've reached out to. Well it's it's um it's been uh a work of joy. And working with both of these iconic recording performing artists has been my pleasure.

SPEAKER_01 2:29

The songs on duets were composed by the legendary Diane Warren, known for timeless hits like Unbreak My Heart and Because He Loved Me. What has it been like working with such an accomplished songwriter and bringing her music to life on this album?

SPEAKER_00 2:43

Well, I've known Diane for many, many years. And she's always had a way with words and music. And uh I finally said to her one afternoon, I said, Hey, DW, what's going on here? You have never written anything for me. What's up? And Damon happened to be sitting in the in the studio with me. She said, I okay, I'm gonna write for you. Okay. And then we came up with the title of the C D based on how we greet each other and have greeted each other this way for many years, and that we call each other DW because we both have initials, DW. And she put pen to paper, has come up with some most incredible, most incredible songs for me to sing with all the people that will be represented as my duet partner. So, you know, I I think it it's more of a work of love. And she just sat down and wrote some most incredible songs for me, and I'm so grateful for that.

SPEAKER_01 3:44

Your son and manager Damon Elliott serves as executive producer on duets and has worked with you on past projects as well. Share with us your experience working alongside Damon in the studio, and what was that creative partnership mean for both of you as an artist and as a mother?

SPEAKER_00 4:00

He is as professional as any other producer I've ever worked with. He comes in prepared, ready to do what he has to do as engineer, producer. And I certainly I've always come in prepared as the artist. There are moments when he'll correct me. The only difference is he doesn't call me Dion, he calls me mommy. So that's the only difference in any producer I've ever worked with invest.

SPEAKER_01 4:28

Recently, the Dion Warwick Institute of Entrepreneurship and Economics dedicated auditorium in honor of your late sister, Dee Dee Warwick. Tell us about the special day and share with us Dee Dee's lasting legacy and what that recognition means to you and your family.

SPEAKER_00 4:44

Dee Dee is, in my opinion, the singer in our family. She's always been the singer. Um I have what it's called sound, but Dee Dee is the singer. And not only the singer, but she also has her own sound. But always, I've always considered her the singer of the family. I must say, when they announced that they were naming the auditorium and Dee Dee's name, I lost it because I had no idea they were gonna do that. It's the most incredible thing that they have ever done for me. But for her, because she walked across that stage too. She attended the school we called Lincoln School at the time. And as a result of that, to have the auditorium renamed in her name, all praise be to God. That's wonderful for me.

SPEAKER_01 5:36

Let's talk about Tiana Taylor, who will portray you in the upcoming biopic about your life and career. You have described Tiana as your alter ego. What is it about her that reminds you of yourself?

SPEAKER_00 5:48

I find it quite amazing. Every time I look at her, I see me at her age. It's like looking in a mirror. And it really kind of frightened me the first time I saw her. And a photograph of the both of us side by side was sent to me. Kind of hard to see yourself, you know. But she has become what I do refer to her as my alter ego. She has so many of my traits. It's kind of scary, you know, to see yourself and know that this is the first time you're meeting this lady. And I must also add that she has done her homework. She knows more about me than I know about me. And as it turns out, that's exactly what I want. And apparently that's exactly what she wants. She has no legal a filter, nor do I. And that's the way she is. I have uh come to truly adore her. She is she's Dion. What can I say?

SPEAKER_01 6:51

Duet is set to be your final album, and you're also preparing for your final tour. What can audiences expect to see and hear when you come to their cities?

SPEAKER_00 7:01

Well, we might get a a brand new show, something they've not heard me do in quite a while. Taking songs from every era that I've recorded from the 60s up to and through the 20s. I'm sure it's something they're gonna enjoy because I'm enjoying doing it, you know, putting it together. You know, songs I haven't sung since the 60s that have always been favorites of mine and have been kind of not acknowledged. So, you know, I think it's gonna be fun. Unfortunately, Germany is gonna be the first to hear it, so but it's gonna be a worldwide kind of situation. Everybody will get a chance to hear it.

SPEAKER_01 7:40

Uh, thanks once again to the iconic Diane Warwick for joining us on the Nick Hegan Times. Be sure to check out duets and thanks for tuning in. We will see you on the next episode.