Wendell E. Anderson, Sr. & Friends1

bio

Wendell Anderson & Friends is a collaboration of superb musical talent. At any given performance there can be two or more performers on stage.

Wendell E. Anderson, Sr. – At the age of five, Wendell and his family sat around a small black and white TV. The family would watch Uncle Melvin, the first African American to perform on ‘The Ted Mack Amateur Hour.’ After watching Uncle Melvin, Wendell said, “I don’t know how he got in that box but that’s what I want to do-sing.” Wendell’s early years were spent singing in his church choir and neighborhood singing groups. He became a pro at starting singing groups. Wendell experienced his first recording opportunity singing with The Bells of Liberty, his church choir as they recorded an album. Wendell, his brother, Sonny, friends, Kevin McDowell, and Kenny Goodgames regularly sang at Hughes High School’s talent show, The Merry Go Round. At the age of 16, the singing group would soon have a life-altering experience. The singing group along with their parents would await a meeting with their agent, to sign a recording contract with RCA. The agent, who had received advancement for the deal never showed up. Devastated but not deterred, Wendell continued to pursue his dream of performing.

Wendell served in the U.S. Air Force, from 1977 – 1985. In 1979 he competed at the Base level competition for Tops In Blue. He would compete at three more levels winning the Male Solo Vocal category for the 1979 tour. Wendell toured with and worked for Air Force Entertainment Tops In Blue (TIB) worldwide from 1979 - 1983. After leaving the Air Force, he would go on to perform in the Catskills as the opening act for Jackie Mason and other national acts. Wendell reprised the role of “Daddy Brubaker” Leader of the “Rhythm of Life Church” in an Off-Broadway adaptation of “Sweet Charity”, Kingston NY. He worked on the stage crew and continued to act with small parts in several sitcoms, ‘A Different World’, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and ‘Martin.’ Wendell received his first television song writing credits for performing live on camera with Robert Guillaume on “Pacific Station.”

In 1989, Wendell became and remains the lead singer with The Hues Corporation. Their biggest hit single, “Rock the Boat” is the most played single from the 70’s. A singer/songwriter, Wendell has three incredible songs available online; “America, There’s Only 1”, “Without You”, and “This Christmas Song’s For You”. All produced with a superb team of musicians based in the Kingston, NY area. In 2010 Wendell began building Natty Records Entertainment and Media LLC signing to the Natty Records label iconic artists, The Hues Corporation. In late 2018 he started his new band, TAPPESTRY. Wendell is proving that your musical journey continues as long as you do. When they say, “The Best Is Yet to Come” you know it has arrived when you are sitting in their performance.

We can customize our show for your event and include songs of your choice. To book Wendell Anderson & Friends call or email Sarah 513-800-3186 or nattyrecords60@gmail.com.

Wendell Anderson & Friends Partial Song List:

All of Me (Standard)

Almost Like Being in Love (Standard)

Cheek to Cheek (Standard)

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore (Standard)

Drift Away

Everything I Miss At Home

Everything Thing She Wants

Forget You

Groovy People

Happy

How Sweet It Is

I Can’t Go For That

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

I Love Music

I Second that Emotion

I’ll Be Your Man (Original song by Wendell Anderson, Sr.)

It’s A Love Thing

Just the Two of Us

La Bamba

Maria Maria

Never Can Say Goodbye

Never Too Much

New York State of Mind

No One But You (Original song by Wendell Anderson, Sr.)

Next Time (I Fall)

Papa Was a Rolling Stone

Power of Love

Ride On A Rainbow

Stay with Me Tonight

Stayin’ Alive, Too Much Love, Love You Inside Out, You Should be Dancing Bee Gees Medley

Straighten Up and Fly Right (Standard)

Teach Me Tonight (Standard)

Turn Your Love Around

That’s The Way of the World

That’s What I Like

Too Hot

Unforgettable (Standard)

What You Won’t Do For Love

Without You (Original song by Wendell E. Anderson, Sr.)

Wonderful World (Standard)

Michael Davis started playing drums at an early age. He played during high school with various bands. They regularly performed in the Hughes High School Merry-Go-Round. The Merry-Go-Round was one of the most popular public high school talent shows in the Cincinnati area. Many artists that performed in the Merry-Go-Round went on to have national and international careers. After high school Michael performed with local bands at various clubs and opened for reclaimed artists. Michael is a professional jeweler and photographer but they are no substitute for his love for playing the drums.

Hayden Floro is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a jazz emphasis. He grew up in Centerville, Ohio and has been playing the drums for over twelve years. During that time, he’s studied under many great drummers including Jim Leslie, John Von Ohlen, Art Gore, John Taylor, Steve Houghton, Carl Allen, and Jeff Hamilton. He’s played in the University of Cincinnati CCM Jazz Orchestra which has taken him to Brazil to play alongside Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center. He plays in many big bands around Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus Ohio, and Kentucky and regularly plays in a trio setting. He frequently plays at Dee Felice, Muse Café, Stone Creek Restaurant, and Schwartz’s Point. Hayden is very well versed in soul, funk, rock, jazz, and Latin music. He also has a classical background which he utilizes in pit orchestras all around Ohio and Kentucky.

Steve Richardson, a Cincinnati native is an accomplished bassist that started his musical career playing drums at the age of two. In 2007 Steve decided to make the leap from drums to bass providing him the opportunity to work with some of the best musicians and artists in the Cincinnati area. Steve comes from a musical family where his mother was the lead singer and choir director; his father was the band leader and choir director at their church during his childhood. Since picking up the bass guitar, Steve has opened up for New Edition, Fantasia, and Mary J. Blige. He also played behind gospel artists, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Sapp.

Carrie Taylor, a force to be reckoned with. When talent and passion drive you there is no limit to what you can do. Carrie graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio where you studied and honed her craft as a singer and dancer. She went on to pursue her degree in Music Education. Carrie has sung background for Patti LaBelle, The Clark Sisters, and many other well-known artists. She sang with local gospel group, Kenny Smith and Visions. There are great singers but few who have the range that Carrie has. She is eager to begin singing again in her hometown, Cincinnati.

CJ Thompson, born as Craig Thompson, Jr. hails from Cincinnati, OH. CJ started singing in church at a young age. He was also involved in modeling and acting with Heyman Talent. He performed in musicals with the Cincinnati Children’s Theater Company, and had a breakthrough performance with the Cincinnati Black Theater Company in their production of “A Tribute to Motown”. He portrayed a young Stevie Wonder and a young Michael Jackson.

After high school, CJ started college in 2014 and spent 4 years at Tiffin University studying Arts Administration with a focus in the Music Industry. In 2015, he even started creating his own self-produced, engineered, and mixed demos under the name Chocq. T. As a solo artist he released his debut single, “Masquerade” on October 1st, which was produced, engineered, written and mixed all on his own. CJ strives to bring a new and revived sound to the industry. He calls it Neo-Nostalgic Soul. Music is about creating moments between the message and the listener, connecting on as many cylinders as possible and CJ plans to do just that!

Kevin Wilder, an extraordinary musician. Kevin stated that “One of countless blessings I’m so thankful and so humbled for is the opportunity to TRAVEL!” Kevin has an appreciation for music that makes him selected in what and where he performs. He has travelled all over the world playing the keyboard. He has played with numerous musicians and artists over the course of his life.