EPK

Three accomplished and vivacious women unite to form the modern day R&B/Soul Group known as Honey Cone with the original co-founder Shelly Clark-White of the Vintage Honey Cone. This talented triple threat comprised of Shelly Clark-White, Kathy Merrick, and Wendy Smith-Brunè perform original songs from their catalogue of chart toppers and fan favorites along with hits from virtually every music genre.

Shelly Clark-White

HONEY CONE CO-FOUNDER

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 "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 44 years and counting.

KATHY MERRICK

HONEY CONE MEMBER

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 dignitaries 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 Scaggs, 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.

Songwriting 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.

WENDY SMITH-BRUNE

HONEY CONE MEMBER

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”.

-VINTAGE-

HONEY CONE

HONEY CONE was formed in 1968 by lead singer Edna Wright, (February 2, 1945 – September 12, 2020), formerly of the gospel group THE COGICS and THE BLOSSOMS. Along with Carolyn Willis formerly of THE GIRL FRIENDS and BOBBY SOX & BLUE JEANS and Shelly Clark formerly of THE IKETTES! The trio was named “The Best Female Vocal Group” by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of TELEVISION and RADIO ANNOUNCERS in 1970. They were 3 phenomenal entertainers in their own right, but when combined, they formed a legendary group with a unique sound and dynamic stage presence.

HONEY CONE ushered in a new, more assertive era lyrically for girl groups! They received the prestigious FOREVER NUMBER 1 AWARD for their pop hit record WANT ADS from BILLBOARD MUSIC! HONEY CONE was recently inducted into the SOUL MUSIC HALL OF FAME in 2021.

HONEY CONE recorded 5 LPs and has performed with A-Lists artists, including PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC, GEORGE BURNS, The OJAY’s, CHARLIE WILSON, and EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING.

HONEY CONE was the first act to appear on the hit televised show, SOUL TRAIN. The trio also appeared on numerous other television shows including ANDY WILLIAMS, AMERICAN BANDSTAND, THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON, SONNY AND CHER, and MERV GRIFFIN.

HONEY CONE’s music has been featured in several soundtracks including MI VIDA LOCA, A FUTILE and STUPID GESTURE, and BECAUSE I SAID SO!

Throughout the decades, HONEY CONE’s catalog has been sampled by many artists including: COMMON, JOSS STONE, THE ISLEY BROS, JAY Z, DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, VANILLA, and TAYLOR DAYNE.

DISCOGRAPHY

1970

Take Me With You (EP)

1971

Sweet Replies (EP)
Soulful Tapestry (EP)

1972

Love, Peace And Soul (EP)

1991

Are You Man Enough (EP)

2001

Soulful Sugar (EP)

2010

Take Me With You + Sweet Replies + Soulful Tapestry + Love, Peace And Soul...Plus (EP)

AWARDS

1971

RIAA Certification: Gold Record - One Million Units "Want Ads"
- Peaked at #1 on U.S. Billboard Charts and #1 on U.S. R&B Billboard Charts
RIAA Certification: Gold Record - One Million Units "Stick Up"
- Peaked at #11 on U.S. Billboard Charts and #1 on U.S. R&B Billboard Charts
Jet Magazine: Honey Cone Cover
National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NATRA): Best Female Vocal Group

2016