BIO

SHELLY CLARK-WHITE

Shelly Clark-White

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Shelly Clark-White /

 

An original member and cofounder of Honey Cone, Shelly has an extensive and diverse career in the entertainment industry.

Beginning as a beguiling child star, she exploded onto the New York scene as a gifted dancer, singer and actress. At the age of seven, she headlined at the renowned Apollo Theatre and the Palace Theatre before making her Broadway debut with Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll in the celebrated hit musical "The House of Flowers."

She went on to dazzle audiences while touring nationwide with legend Cab Calloway in his renowned Cotton Club Revue. Shelly recorded and toured with various artists, including Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Little Richard, DJ Rogers, Jim Nabors, and Richard Harris. She also toured nationally with The Ike & Tina Turner Revue as one of the storied Ikettes.

With Honey Cone, Shelly was part of creating an enduring legacy of Billboard No. 1 and Top 10 hits that garnered numerous gold records and esteemed industry awards.

Shelly has been married to Verdine White, Kennedy Center Honoree, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and iconic bass player and co-founder of Earth, Wind, & Fire, for 42 years and counting.

WENDY SMITH-BRUNÉ

Wendy Smith-Bruné

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Wendy Smith-Bruné /

 

Wendy was educated at Norfolk State University in Virginia where she studied classical flute and piano. She moved to Los Angeles where her vocal talents immediately caught the attention of soul genius Ray Charles. In addition to touring worldwide with Charles as one of his Raelettes, she also worked with other illustrious artists such as Chaka Khan, Barry White, Michael Bolton and Sheena Easton.

Wendy has been a featured soloist with many great bands, including The Count Basie Orchestra and soul quartet The Friends of Distinction.

She has graced many celebrated stages, including performances for The Academy Awards and The Emmys.

Wendy has been featured as a soloist with the legendary Glen Miller Orchestra, and toured extensively with the classic 40’s enterprise. She was the first African American woman in history to do so.

In 2019, Wendy was awarded an NAACP award for her inspiring achievements in the arts celebrating “Women In History”.

KATHY MERRICK

Kathy Merrick

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Kathy Merrick /

 

Born in Washington DC, Kathy started her career at eight years old in the world of dance. Coming from a musical family she and her brothers started performing together for years which sometimes included performing for dignitary’s and politicians including the First Lady Nancy Reagan.

Kathy is a Howard University graduate in the field of Theatre. She was also a part of the Washington trio Shades of Lace, scoring a record deal with Wing/Polygram Records and landing a top 10 hit on the Billboard R&B Charts. Shades of Lace has performed worldwide on stages, and on television including the prestigious shows Showtime at the Apollo, hosted by legendary James Brown and Soul Train hosted by the legendary Don Cornelius.

Kathy went on to scoring another record deal on the Japanese Nippon Columbia International label. Another trio of American girls called A.S.A.P., a Japanese act for Japanese distribution, performed for years all over Japan doing concerts and television with 6 successful albums.

For years, she performed with Jim Fuller (Godfather of Surf music) and the Beatniks. She travelled extensively with the tribute group The Sounds of the Supremes. Kathy has also performed worldwide with many other celebrity artists such as Boz Skaggs, James Ingram, International artist Christian Castro, and more.

She serves an impressive discography that includes American and International artists that is telling of her session work in the music business.

Song writing is a part of her passion so you will find a song written with her husband John Paris, drummer for Earth, Wind, & Fire, a song exclusively for Honey Cone called Love.