The
Pulse of Entertainment: Legendary R&B Group Honey Cone
to Perform on the Soul Train Cruise, January 29 - February 5, 2023
(January 18, 2023) - "That first cruise, we had Edna (Wright) and her
daughter...this cruise it's with two new girls," said Shelly Clark-White, an original Honey
Cone member about the group performing on the Soul Train Cruise (January 29 - February 5, 2023)
with new members Kathy Merrick and Wendy Smith-Brune. "Kathy's husband is the drummer
for Earth, Wind and Fire and Wendy's husband...is Romeo he plays guitar."
Shelly, who is married to bass
player Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire, was talking about drummer John Paris (Kathy) and guitarist Romeo Brune (Wendy)
who will accompany Honey Cone on the cruise, along with bass player Tony Boyd, who serves as the musical director for the
group.
"I make them work hard," Shelly laughed a little about Kathy and Wendy when I mentioned how
active and on-point they are on stage. "We did get a choreographer...Darrien Henning...very talented. Does videography
too."
"All of us have had dance training. Kathy is a full-on ballerina. I started out as a dancer
as well. Got with Tuna Turner...I learned how to be excellent because of her," Clark-White said when I asked.
When we were talking about her husband she said, "He loves being on stage. We learn by watching him."
The Honey Cone group made their forever-mark on the music industry with the #1 Billboard Chart topping hits "Stick
Up" and "Want Ads." Don Cornelius launched "Soul Train" the television show in 1971 and had Honey
Cone perform their hits. He also had them perform during the first Soul Train Cruise in 2014. This time the Soul Train Cruise
is sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam leaving from Fort Lauderdale. Along with Honey Cone, other performers include Babyface,
The Commodores, George Benson, The Spinners, Peabo Bryson, Deniece Williams, Evelyn "Champagne" King, One Way, Sounds
of Blackness and more.
"We are also the host of two Soul Train Cruise Wine events...where you dress up,"
she said excitedly.
Honey Cone has been performing their hits for over 50 years! They were inducted into the
Soul Music Hall of Fame, along with Gladys Knight and the Pips in 2021. They have a catalogue of hits produced by the legendary
hit making team Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland (Motown), which includes "Stick Up" and "Want
Ads." www.HoneyCone.biz
The Pulse of Entertainment: Brian Thomas Releases Debut ‘On
the Bone', Featuring Saxophonists Mike Tucker and Scott Mayo
(January 25, 2023) - "I had written so much for other projects...thought
it was time," said Soul/Jazz trombonist Brian Thomas about his solo debut "On the Bone"
featuring Johnny Trama (guitar), Darby Wolf (organ), Tom Arey (drummer), and Yahuba Garcia-Torres (percussionist),
with special guest Mike Tucker (sax) and Scott Mayo (sax). "They're my core unit I've been playing with for over two
decades. I knew they would capture that Soul-Jazz vibe."
The "On the Bone" project is to be released
January 27, 2023. It is the 11th album he has played on. It was recorded live by Alan Evans and produced by Thomas. He co-wrote
and co-produced many projects for others such as one for BT ALC Big Band (Akashic Records) and for Duochrome. Brian will be
co-producing BT ALC Big Band's "Hearing the Truth" album to be released later this year. He also worked on projects
for Vintage League Music record label's artists.
"The title track was...not fully written when we went
into the studio," Thomas replied when asked about the project's name. "It happened organically."
Brian Thomas earned a master's from UMASS Amherst in Jazz composition and also studied at Ithaca College. He serves on the
staff at Canton High School in instrumental. www.BrianThomasTrombone.com
