Carrie McDowell | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Carrie Hodge |
| Born | 1965 (age 59–60) |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Labels | Motown, Star Song |
| Formerly of | Two Hearts |
Spouse | Michael Hodge |
Carrie McDowell is a singer who began at a young age. During the 1980s, she had hits with "Uh, Uh, No No Casual Sex" and " When a Woman Loves a Man".
Carrie McDowell was born in 1965 in Des Moines, IA. She started performing at the age of nine. [1]
While still in her teens, she was on the road with Tommy Spanos. At the age of twelve, she had also been on the Johnny Carson Show several times. [2] Artists she opened for included, Rowan & Martin, George Burns and Danny Thomas. [3]
She would end up being a Motown protege of Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. Her single "Uh, Uh, No No Casual Sex" was described as monogamy funk, a promotion of safe sex. [4]
McDowell's debut album was released in 1987. An article about Mitch McDowell of General Kane and her appeared in the 14 August 1987 issue of the Santa Cruz Sentinel . Besides informing the reader that she was no relation to Motown label mate Mitch McDowell, the debut album was said to present the width of her talent, with a whole side of funk and rock being offered, as well as ballads. [5]
She recorded the single, "Uh, Uh, No Casual Sex" which was co-written by Willie Hutch. It was released as a single in 1987. [6] The remix version of the song debuted at No. 47 in the Club Play section of the Billboard Hot Dance / Disco chart for the week of 20 June. [7]
She was pictured in the 3 July 1987 issue of Black Radio Exclusive, talking to Dance Floor Hits host Marteen Macareno. [8] She told Macareno that the song was a sign of the times and if you mess around you could die. The song had a strong statement, and she was glad that she was making it. [9] The song also made the Black Radio Exclusive chart. [10]
It was released in the UK on 14 September. Supplied to European holiday resort discos where British people frequented, it generated what was described as a healthy amount of demand. It was described by James Hamilton as a catchily skittering message to stay celibate. [11]
For the week of 26 September, McDowell's single, "Uh, Uh, No Casual Sex" debuted at No. 68 in the Music Week Top 75 Singles chart, [12] and 68 on the Top of the Pops chart. [13] It peaked at No. 68. [14] The song also was a hit on the Music Week Top Dance Singles chart. At week two, it peaked at No. 21 for the week of 3 October. [15] It was still charting for the week of 17 October. [16]
McDowell recorded another song that was written by Hal Davis and Willie Hutch. The single, "When a Woman Loves a Man" was reviewed in the 17 October 1987 issue of Cash Box. The reviewer called it a gorgeous ballad and said that it should establish her with the older demographics, while retaining her popularity with the younger audience. [17] It peaked at No. 45 on the Adult Contemporary chart. [18]
In 1992, McDowell and her husband Michael Hodge released the Christian-themed album, Stand Your Ground. It featured a cover of Randy Stonehill's "Shut De Do". [19]
As one half of the duo, Two Hearts that included her husband Michael Hodge, they had six hits on the Chirstian music charts from 1992 - 1994. [20]