Aretha Franklin sings tribute to Whitney Houston in Charlotte

The Queen of Soul sang with a heavy heart Monday night .

Aretha Frankiln was at the McGlohon Theatre in Uptown for a private concert.

Between songs, she talked to the crowd about her Goddaughter Whitney Houston.

She even took some time and sang "I Will Always Love You" in Houston's memory.

The concert was planned months ago, but there were some fears she may cancel since the concert was scheduled two days after Houston's death.

Many in the crowd believe Franklin's decision to go ahead with the concert was her own way of coping.

"It just shows the true performer she is," said Neel Ellison, "and it may be a cathartic way of dealing with what she's going through."