nurtured and guided a slew of established artists along the way, simon and garfunkle, and barry mannilowcadillac >> reporter: then of course there is the singer he is most identified with. ♪ learning to love yourself it is ♪ >> reporter: whitney houston he discovered when she was still a teenager. ♪ it might be a fantasy >> reporter: he introduced her on the merv griffin show in 1983. >> you either got it or you don't have it. she's got it. >> reporter: he's proven he has got it for the last 50 years. we spent hours with davis over the past month to unlock the secret of what makes the man with the golden ears tick. davis is looking for songs for a new jennifer hudson album hearing this one for the first time. ♪ ♪ >> what do you think? >> i think it is a real strong track. this is something that could be kidded for jennifer. these are wonderful memories. >> reporter: we went to his glamorous home and took a spin down memory lane. talk to me about bob dillylan. >> i said, this cut can be a single. can you get the phrase on the radio? i said i think you can. ♪ ♪ ♪ teenage diplomat >> the bo