The Whitney Family

Louise's Whitney's Children: son's Glynn, Nick, Phillip and Ellis Ray (aka Ray-Ray), and daughter's Tracey, Cozette (aka Cookie), and twins Louise and Louanda, would start to mimic the grown-ups, who were always rehearsing or performing. Whitney took note of her children's natural talent, and together they would go on to become the singing powerhouse, The Whitney Family, debuting at the famed Coconut Grove in Los Angeles in 1971. At the time the children (who all sang lead and backup vocals) ranged in age from 5 (the twins) to 13 (Glynn). The Whitney Family toured the U.S. and abroad, played Las Vegas and Tahoe (opening for acts like Debbie Reynolds and Tony Orlando), and shared the stage with Ginger Rogers, Donny and Marie Osmond and even former First Lady, Nancy Reagan. They recorded albums for Warner Curb Records (1977's Airways featured Let Me Be Your Woman, a Billboard magazine Top Singles Pick), and United Artists Records. They made guest appearances on several local and national TV shows, including Burt Sugarman's famed The Midnight Special and the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars. They were also featured in several teen magazines, most notably Tiger Beat and Right On! The Whitney Family performed together for 20 years, until the “kids” began raising families of their own.