Earlier Release = Grammy Race?...

Los Angeles Times: Earlier release date puts Whitney Houston and 'I Look to You' into Grammys race

Whitney Houston could contend for this year's Grammy Awards now that "I Look to You" is being released on Aug. 31, the last day of eligibility. Plans had been to drop this disc the next day – Sept. 1 – which as a Tuesday is the traditional time for new releases. However, good buzz is building about Houston's first studio album in six years, with well-attended listening parties in L.A. and Gotham. The title track is available both for streaming and as a free download until July 31 at Houston's official

Houston first came to fame with a self-titled debut disc in 1985 that won her a Grammy Award for best pop vocal performance and contended for the top prize of album of the year (Phil Collins won for "No Jacket Required"). And she earned an Emmy for her performance of "Saving All My Love For You" on that Grammycast. Her single "The Greatest Love of All" lost record of the year the following year to "Higher Love" by Steve Winwood.

Houston won another pop vocal Grammy in 1987 for "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" off her second album "Whitney." That disc also competed for album of the year but lost to U2 for "The Joshua Tree."

Her third studio album — 1990's "I'm Your Baby Tonight" — did not net her any Grammys. However, the soundtrack for her film debut, "The Bodyguard," won album of the year in 1993 while her rendition of the Dolly Parton tune "I Will Always Love You" won record of the year and a third pop vocal Grammy.

Houston's fourth studio album, "My Love Is Your Love," included the track "It's Not Right but It's Okay," which won her a sixth and so far final Grammy for R&B vocal performance in 1999. Her last mainstream album "Just Whitney" was released in 2002 but did not contend at the Grammys. Neither did her 2003 holiday album, "One Wish."

Houston could be poised for a classic Hollywood comeback. In February, she performed at the annual pre-Grammy party of her onetime mentor, Clive Davis, and appeared on the kudocast as well, bestowing a Grammy on Jennifer Hudson. Could she be receiving a lucky seventh Grammy next year?