Wendy Rich
Welcome to WENDY WORLD!!!
The world of singer/songwriter Wendy Rich...
thank you for taking the time to check out my music!
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
A native Texan, Wendy was born and raised in Houston, Texas...where she got her start on stage in Theatrical Productions at a very young age.
Always a music fan, Wendy segued into music quite easily....stage fright already out of the way......and joined a rock band at a very young age. For several years she focused on rock and heavy metal, playing in clubs in the Houston area and dabbling in recording. She joined her first blues band in 1989 shortly before she relocated to the Tampa Bay area of Florida.
Since her arrival in 1990 to Florida, Wendy established herself quickly and by 1991 started her band Wendy & the Soulshakers , becoming a popular mainstay in the regional club circuit as well as making appearances at most major festivals & events throughout the region. Over the years she has taken her band on the road up the east coast and to Europe as well as self producing 4 cds.
In the year 2000 Wendy took some time off from the Soulshakers to tour as front person for the legendary Janis Joplins original band Big Brother & the Holding Company...who continue to tour to this day with 3 out of 4 of the original members. She toured all over the US and Europe with them through 2004 and still occasionally makes appearances with them.
Currently Wendy is focusing on her own music with the new album DRIVER.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I have played LIVE as a full time musician for 20 years! With my group Wendy & the Soulshakers and with Big Brother & the Holding Company! I was singing with BBHC on the "Spirit of '67 Tour" in 2003....with Iron Butterfly & Starship....It was great fun!
Your musical influences
Since I was very young, I was always attracted to 60's rock.....Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Hendrix......later I heard Aretha sing!!! and Stevie Wonder & Ray Charles....and love the soul/blues stuff.....So I would say I have those early rock influences with a big soul injection
Anything else?
Mostly, I love REAL music played by real musicians.. No offense to computer gurus! Theres room for everyone! My personal taste just leans toward authenticity and being down to earth (in music AND in life)
