By Deandrea Hamilton

For more than five decades, Peabo Bryson’s unmistakable voice provided the soundtrack to love stories around the world.

The two-time Grammy Award winner, affectionately regarded by many as R&B’s “Duet King,” died on June 2 at the age of 75, days after suffering a stroke. Family members said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

While younger audiences may remember him as the voice behind Disney classics Beauty and the Beast and A Whole New World, Bryson’s legacy was built long before Hollywood came calling.

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, the South Carolina-born singer released 20 solo albums, earned five Gold records and became one of the most sought-after duet partners in contemporary music.

Few artists mastered the art of collaboration as effortlessly as Bryson.

His rich tenor elevated timeless recordings alongside some of music’s most celebrated female vocalists, including Roberta Flack on Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, Regina Belle on A Whole New World, Celine Dion on Beauty and the Beast, Patti Austin on By Heart, By Soul, Natalie Cole on We’re the Best of Friends and countless others.

Yet he was equally successful as a solo performer.

Hits including If Ever You’re in My Arms Again, Can You Stop the Rain, Feel the Fire, Reaching for the Sky and I’m So Into You established him as one of R&B’s premier balladeers, earning a devoted following throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Bryson’s greatest commercial success came in the 1990s when Disney selected him to perform two animated-film love songs that became global sensations. Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion and A Whole New World with Regina Belle earned him two Grammy Awards and introduced his music to a new generation of listeners.

But for many longtime fans, it was the romance, warmth and sincerity of his earlier recordings that defined his greatness.

In an era crowded with powerful voices, Peabo Bryson stood apart by making every duet feel personal and every love song believable.

His voice may be gone, but the music remains — a catalogue filled with timeless ballads, unforgettable partnerships and memories that continue to resonate across generations.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

This angle is stronger than a standard obituary because it focuses on what made Peabo unique. There have been great singers, great balladeers and great hitmakers. There was really only one “Duet King.”

AuthorsAndWritersHub.com

 Bahamas — Bahamian author Teri M. Bethel combines heartfelt storytelling, practical tools, and devotionals to help couples navigate the emotional and spiritual challenges of menopause together. Often called “the silent storm” in a woman’s life, menopause is deeply personal, widely misunderstood, and rarely discussed openly. Teri M. Bethel is changing that conversation with her new book, Unspoken Storms: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Menopause and Marriage – With Devotional Prayers for Emotional Healing and Intimacy.

Through the fictional yet emotionally raw story of Amanda—a devoted wife navigating menopause’s emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges—Bethel opens the door for honest, grace-filled conversations in homes and churches.

For many women, menopause brings more than just hot flashes; it can shake identity, emotions, and even marriage. “It’s unfortunate, but menopause sneaks up on many women and men,” says Bethel. “Beyond the jokes about hot flashes or personal summers, there’s often silence. But when mood swings, depression, anxiety, brain fog, and the physical pain of intimacy show up—and no one connects the dots—confusion can take root. My goal was to bring hope, clarity, and real help to this season.”

Early readers are calling Unspoken Storms “a book that walks beside you like a trusted friend.” Colleen Aitken praised Bethel’s approach as “beautifully tender, yet raw in its honesty—offering hope, healing, and restoration.” Heather Sands added: “I couldn’t put it down. It’s not the typical menopause book—it’s a source of peace, relief, and understanding for both women and men. This book belongs in every marriage ministry.”

Men often want to help but don’t know how, which can lead to misunderstanding, distance, or even divorce. While there are medical guides and clinical handbooks, very few books speak to women and couples with faith, empathy, and hope, blending story, Scripture, and practical steps for relief.

More than a novel, Unspoken Storms is a resource:

• For women: to feel seen, understood, and equipped with faith and practical tools for this stage of life.
• For men: a bonus chapter by Teri’s husband, Tellis, which offers insight into how menopause affects husbands, especially those who may be facing midlife challenges themselves, plus prayers to strengthen the marriage.
• For couples: guidance to restore communication, intimacy, and partnership.

Bahamian author, Dr. Deborah Pople-Smith commended the book for “helping marriages realize that talking about menopause is not taboo—it’s necessary. Love and intimacy can still be shared with a little understanding and patience.”

“Menopause can feel like the end of something,” says Bethel. “But in reality, it can be the refining of love and faith. This book is an invitation to walk through it—together, stronger.”

Unspoken Storms is now available in Nassau at Logos Bookstore, in Eleuthera at Office General, and on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audio formats.

By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

ALIV and ALIVFibr have been honored with five major Ookla awards at the recent CANTO Conference in Nassau, taking top honors for: Fastest Mobile Network in The Bahamas; Best Mobile Network in The Bahamas; Best Mobile Gaming Experience in The Bahamas; Best Fixed Gaming Experience in The Bahamas and Fastest Fixed Network in the Caribbean.

These accolades, based on billions of global Speedtest® results, underscore ALIV’s robust infrastructure and commitment to innovation. Franklyn Butler II, CEO of Cable Bahamas Group, highlighted this significance:

“These awards are based on billions of real-world tests—independent, objective, and customer-driven… That speaks volumes about the strength of our infrastructure and our commitment to innovation.”

John Gomez, CEO of ALIV, praised the milestone as proof of delivering a world-class network:

“These awards are tangible proof that we’ve achieved our goal of building a top-of-the-line, unrivaled network in the Caribbean. We will continue to expand the ALIVFibr network to Abaco and beyond.”

This dual recognition—spanning both mobile and fixed sectors—is rare in the region and demonstrates ALIV’s ongoing growth and ambition. The company’s strategic fiber rollout, branded as ALIVFibr, has rapidly expanded high-speed broadband in Nassau and parts of Abaco, backed by a $70 million investment.

Public sentiment also aligns with this prize-winning momentum. According to a 2024 retail fixed market review by URCA, customers rated service availability and reliability highly—evidence that quality is consistently improving. However, social media feedback shows pockets of concern over service installation delays, suggesting room for customer support enhancement.

With nearly universal internet coverage—94% national penetration but only 24% fixed broadband adoption—these awards signal ALIVFibr’s ability to close the remaining connectivity gaps. The company’s speed, reliability, and national strategy are now validated by both metrics and metrics and user sentiment.

As ALIVFibr continues its rollout to Abaco and beyond, this victory is more than symbolic—it’s a tangible testament to its leadership in Bahamian telecom.