I got my start in the music industry singing jingles.

That whole thing,

the thing that I do, came out of

my first jingle.
Debbie McDuffie, she says, can you give me just something to make me feel it hot, make me feel it

sizzling hot.
And I said, (singing) Gino's,

you go for it, sizzling hot.
And I just could see the control room just jumping up and clapping and stuff.
And I just said to myself, oh, I guess when I make a record, I'm going to throw

that in there.

-Luther Vandross

Miss Debbie McDuffie. Vocalist extraordinaire, songwriter, jingle writer. She and I teamed up with Ray
Chew to create a song she wrote, called Apollo Amateur Night, and asked me to sing along with her.
What an honor. Debbie McDuffie, you did it. Without you, there would be no Joe Gray on Apollo
Amateur Night for 30+ years. Even more times than James Brown. Go on with your bad self. Continue
with the gift that God gave you. Nobody does it better. Nobody, Debbie. Love you girl.

-Joe Gray

Debbie McDuffie. She’s a great producer, and a loyal friend. I consider her my family, my sister. I
remember going into the studio with her, and she would bring out the best in me. She had a way of
explaining it, and giving me her thoughts, and it would always come out right. Debbie has always had a
way of working with people and bringing out the best in them. I am so thankful that Debbie McDuffie is
a part of my life.

-Gerald Alston 
(lead singer, Manhattans)