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| Curtis Hairston born 10-10-1961 died 1-18-1996 |
| Curtis Kinnard Hairston of 818 Woodcote St. was born on Tuesday, October 10, 1961 to the late Clarence L. Hairston, Sr. and Shirley Crutchfield Hairston Holloway in Winston-Salem. His early public education was in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, and he furthered his education at Winston-Salem State University. He furthered his musical training at Juliard School of Music in New York. While attending WSSU his freshman year, he won the "Mr. Ram" contest.
Curtis was a professional vocalist, recording for Pretty Pearl Productions, Atlantic Records, and the lead vocalist for the B.B. and Q. Band. He returned home from New York after his health began to deteriorate. Curtis accepted Christ at the age of six and remained active even through his poor health. He started singing in First Baptist Church at the age of three and was actively involved in the Tot's Choir, Children's Choir, and was an active member of the Spiritual Choir.'s Curtis' first brush with fame came with session work in New York. Through his friendship with Luther Vandross and his unique voice he released his first singles on Pretty Pearl Productions, a record company run by basketball great Earl "The Pearl" Monroe. Three singles on Pretty Pearl were released. "I Want You (All Night)," "I Want Your Lovin'," and "We Are All One." He next struck dance floors as part of the Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens Band. Appearing on their fourth album release 1985's "Genie." It was Hairston's vocals that gave the album it's spark. The group however was on it's last legs having lost co-founders Malavasi and then Petrus. Curtis found offers pouring in for a solo contract and he signed with Atlantic Records. On Atlantic Records he found his greatest success. "Let's Make Love Tonight" released in early 1986 brought him international fame. He followed with "Chillin' Out" ('86) and "The Morning After" ('87). A self-titled album followed as did his final single "(You're My) Shining Star." In 1991, a lifelong diabetic, Curtis' kidney's began failing and he returned home to North Carolina for dialysis treatment. Two weeks before his death he stood before his congregation at church to sing. D'Walla Burke, the choir director at Winston-Salem State University, was in attendance to hear Hairston sing "Amazing Grace." "It was beautiful," she said. "Even when he was seriously ill, we had an agreement that whenever he came to church, if he felt like singing, we would let him sing," Burke said. "Curtis was a very lovable, warm and sharing person, and those qualities came out in his singing." "Even when he was so sick, he had a way of making a connection of love, peace and harmony with everyone he met. He could make those doctors and nurses smile and laugh when things were getting too serious." She fell silent. "His voice was a gift from God, and he spent his life excelling with that gift." Our hats off to yet another talent gone too soon....... |
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