Dwight Howard releases kid's CD for charity
While he is a tenacious shot-blocker and vicious defender on the court, Dwight Howard showed his more sensitive side with this week’s release of “Shoot for the Stars,” an album for kids
that has Howard singing uplifting and inspirational songs.
The 6ft 11in centre for the Orlando Magic, known around the league for his sense of humour, never saw this coming. But he began to consider the idea once he learned that a part of the
proceeds would go towards the BETA Center, an organization dedicated to helping families in Orlando, Fla. This is the reason for the uplifting songs, including some by Michael Jackson and Harry Belafonte.
“All of the songs are very inspirational, just being together, being a family, things that bring people together,” said the reigning two-time
NBA Defensive Player of the Year. “It’s just inspiring kids to do more, be more and dream big.”
Other NBA stars such as Ron Artest and Shaquille O’Neal have gotten into the rap game, with the latter’s 1993 debut album
Shaq Diesel going platinum. While Howard never thought of himself as a good rapper, singing is a different story.
“I’m not good at rapping, I’ll say that,” he said. “But singing, I can hold a note. I’m pretty good. If I had to sing in front of a big crowd, I don’t think I’d be that shy.”
Howard said he received positive feedback from his team-mates when he played the album but is prepared for some teasing if any of the songs ever get played at the Amway Arena during a
Magic game.
“I know the first time my team-mates hear it in a time-out or something like that, they’re gonna laugh,” said Howard. “It’s going to be weird.”
But Howard doesn’t seem afraid of singing in front of a crowd and is even willing to one day sing the national anthem before a game, just maybe not the American one.
“For some reason, I like to sing the Canadian national anthem,” he said. “I think I sound better singing that one.”