WENDY RENE

Born in Memphis, Tennessee to a musician mother and a philanthropist father, Mary Frierson knew she was destined for the stage. In her early teens she became a part of a singing group her older brother, Johnny, created. She, Johnny, and friends Wilbur and Marion would soon share the stage as The Drapels, performing such classic songs as Wondering When My Love is Coming Home.



That tune would also be the group’s first recording with hometown record company Stax, headed by businessman Jim Stewart. After a few hits and notable performances on stage with the likes of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, the Bar-Kays, Rufus Thomas, and others, The Drapels had become a staple at Stax.



In 1964 with a portfolio full of original songs and creativity boiling over in her, Mary began her solo career under the name Wendy Rene. Rene’s first hit single would become the cult classic After Laughter Comes Tears.



A local and national pop star, Rene quickly became a headliner at venues such as the Apollo and would fill stadiums with her melodious voice. She pioneered a new era of “rock-star” style with her signature dresses, hairdos, and exotic pets.



Choosing to become a wife and mother, Rene soon retired from her life as a recording artist and focused on her family. She and her husband currently live in Tennessee and have six children and several grandchildren.



Recently, Rene’s songs and samples of her music have been used in movie soundtracks such as Lucky Slevin starring Josh Hartnett and Bruce Willis, 2008’s The Wackness with Ben Kingsley and rapper Method Man, and the Fighting Temptations starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Beyoncé Knowles.



Many of today’s artists have sampled or remade Rene’s songs on their very successful albums such as award-winning rap group Wu-Tang Clan and multi-platinum R & B artist Alicia Keys.



Today, Rene is dedicated to ministry and sharing her gifts and experiences with young artists and professionals. She is still an active songwriter for several artists, and currently heads her own publishing company and is the author of two highly anticipated upcoming books.



5 QUESTIONS WITH WENDY RENE



EXACT MAGAZINE: What was the last movie you saw at the theater?



WENDY RENE: Tropic Thunder. Those guys were hilarious



EM: Do you have a favorite food?



WR: That would have to be my daughter’s spaghetti and sauce.



EM: What’s the last CD you bought?



WR: It was either Usher’s new one or a Sam Cooke box set.



EM: It’s football season. Who are you rooting for?



WR: I’m a Cowboys fan all the way!



EM: Okay, last one. Do you have any bad or dirty habits?



WR: Um…I used to be addicted to Pepsis. Does that count?



©2008 Exact Magazine September 10, 2008



View the complete Wendy Rene tour schedule