PATTI'S BUTTERFLIES FAN SPOTLIGHT CONTEST
Congratulations to "Lolo," who has been chosen for the Patti's Butterflies Fan Spotlight for November! Thanks to all who submitted entries for this contest. Want to be the next Butterfly spotlighted? Click here for more information.
Lolo's Winning Story:
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For 16 of the 24 years I have been on this earth, I have been a fan of Patti LaBelle. All I needed to hear was one song to know that she was different from most singers/entertainers and with a voice like that, she could sing the alphabet and make me want to buy it… and she did when she appeared on “Sesame Street.” I was 8 years old when I heard Patti LaBelle sing “If You Ask Me To” on the radio and I fell in love with her voice, I did not know who she was at the time, but I could recognize that voice anywhere. I was able to put a name and face with the voice when I was watching “Oprah’s 40th Birthday Celebration” in 1994, Patti LaBelle was singing “Forever Young.” I was sitting in my great grandparents’ living room doing homework and I was not really paying too much attention to the show while everyone was talking, but then I heard singing and as soon as she started singing, I recognized her voice. Every time I think about that day, I picture myself looking up in slow motion because I was shocked, surprised, and excited to see the person behind “the voice.” After that experience, the only thing I could think about was buying her albums…and for the past 14 years, that is what I have done.
Ms. Patti has such a unique style and her voice is simply amazing… she has tremendous range with vocal techniques that can open the gates of heaven. She has one of the most distinctive voices in the industry and she is an incredibly amazing vocalist. Her voice seems to get better with time and it seems like she holds her notes longer. The longevity of her career speaks volumes about her abilities as an entertainer. Everybody can’t fight through the obstacle that Patti LaBelle has faced in her personal life and throughout her career and maintain their sanity, but she has endured those challenges and shown a great deal of strength, wisdom, courage, and perseverance. That is very encouraging to me and it is my inspiration; when I’m faced with trying situations, I think about how Patti pulled through and use that to motivate myself.
Patti LaBelle has been such an inspiration and an encouragement to me through her life and her music…she constantly motivates me continue to go forward. The greatest thing that she has done to inspire me was to share her life story in her autobiography. She opened up about so many things that she did not even think she would ever address. She was able to share the highs and lows of the entertainment business as well as life as a daughter, sister, mother, and friend. Ms. Patti has endured a great deal of heartache and pain, but in and through all of her challenges she has shown more strength and confidence.
No matter how bad I may be feeling or how down I get on myself, there is always a Patti LaBelle song to lift me up and pull me through s situation and during those times that I just want to get away and be at peace with myself, the music of Ms. Patti is my outlet. I am so encouraged by Ms. Patti that I get everybody I know to listen to her because I know she will be just as much an inspiration to them as she is for me. I want people to have the same privilege that I have and I encourage them to listen to her music, watch her on TV, read her autobiography, even her cookbook. I want people to see what I see in her so much, I even have my nieces singing Patti LaBelle songs: the oldest two (9 yrs. old and 7 yrs. old), recognize Patti’s voice and her pictures, the middle two, (5 yrs. old and 4 yrs. old), are still learning!
Everyone has a specific purpose on this earth and I think it is fair to say that Patti LaBelle is the ultimate encourager, motivator, and inspiration to people of all races, nationalities, creeds, and colors. Ms. Patti has been a blessing to me and I am so grateful, thankful, and appreciative that she has used her music, gifts, talents, and abilities for a positive cause. She is truly an angel that God has blessed with an amazing voice to inspire people.
Patti LaBelle: Her music inspires me, her autobiography (life) encourages me, and her strength/perseverance motivates me.
Dearest Fan,
“Lolo”
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