Wild Orchid (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Wild Orchid


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Origin = United States
Genre = Pop, R&B, dance-pop, electronica
Years_active = 1991—2004
Label = Sony/RCA/Yellow Brick
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| Past_members = Renee Sands (1991- 2004)
Stefanie Ridel (1991 - 2004)
Fergie (1991—2001)

Wild Orchid was an American vocal group, featuring R&B, rap and pop singer Stacy Ferguson (later of the Black Eyed Peas), Renee Sands, and Stefanie Ridel.

History

Wild Orchid began while the girls were in their mid-teens; songwriter Bobby Sandstrom helped them write and record demos. They eventually signed a music publishing deal with Sony Publishing before signing with RCA Records in 1994. Their original name was NRG, but due to legal reasons it was changed. The original line up included singer Micki Duran, who later left the group.

Their first single "At Night I Pray" hit the Billboard charts in winter of 1996; a video directed by Marcus Nispel, known for his work with Janet Jackson, hit heavy rotation on MTV and VH-1. In 1997, Wild Orchid released their self-titled debut album "Wild Orchid". The largely self-written album sold nearly a million units worldwide and included the singles "Talk to Me" (which was included in the hit movie "Fools Rush In"), "At Night I Pray," and "Supernatural." The album received two Billboard Award nominations for "Talk to Me," two Lady Of Soul/Soul Train Award nominations - one for Album of The Year by A Group, Band or Duo and one for Best Music Video for "Talk To Me," and an American Music Award nomination for Favorite R&B/Soul New Artist.

Wild Orchid spent most of 1996-1997 promoting their debut album, making appearances on the Ricki Lake show, Access Hollywood, MTV, RuPaul show, Hard Copy, VIBE and Soul Train, as well as a guest appearance on the UPN sitcom Goode Behavior.

In late 1997, the group toured with 98 Degrees and NSYNC, and released their second album, "Oxygen" which included the single "Be Mine." During a performance in New York City, the band invited R&B singer Eric West to appear with the band on stage.

In 1999, the group performed "Declaration" and "Come As You Are" at the fictitious "Peach Pit After Dark" during the Ninth season of the Aaron Spelling primetime soap-drama Beverly Hills, 90210 (episode titled "Beheading St. Valentine").

Wild Orchid also hosted the Fox Family Family Channel's Saturday morning show "Great Pretenders," which featured chart hits lip-synched by everyday kids, while competing for prizes. They also went on a 52-city tour with Cher and Cyndi Lauper.

In 2001, the group released "Stuttering (Don't Say)", which reached the Top 40 chart, and had a concert special on MuchMusic,called Shout Back, on July 29, 2001. Shout Back was taped in New York City on Apr. 8th 2001. But the group broke up soon after and Stacy joined the Hip-Hop group Black Eyed Peas in 2003 under the stage name Fergie.

In 2003 Wild Orchid performed with only Renee and Stefanie. Their album "Hypnotic" failed to make the Billboard charts. Since then, Renee has been doing work as a session singer and Stefanie is now a member of the House/Techno duo, 5th Element, as well as writing and producing songs for other artists such as the Slumber Party Girls and Girlicious.

"Talk To Me: Hits, Rarities & Gems" was released by Sony BMG Special Products on 9/26/06. It is fundamentally a greatest hits package, featuring (all previously released) singles and album tracks from WILD ORCHID and OXYGEN as well as the lone single from FIRE, "Stuttering (Don't Say)" and its B-side, "Lies."

In a 2006 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Fergie revealed that both frustrations with the band's image and personal drug problems led her to leave Wild Orchid. However, she met her future Black Eyed Peas bandmate will.i.am at one of Wild Orchid's final concert appearances together. [ [http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,1333820_4_0_,00.html http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,1333820_4_0_,00.html] "Ew.com" Retrieved on 05-31-07 ]

Renee is now doing the singing voice for Princess Fiona from Shrek.

Stefanie has turned her focus towards writing and producing music. She co-wrote and produced all the tracks on the Slumber Party Girls debut album "Dance Revolution". Along with songs on Joanna's debut CD and two tracks on Fergie's debut CD "The Dutchess". Stefanie also co-founded the Talent Bootcamp; coaching some of today's aspiring music sensations. Stefanie is now in the studio writing and producing songs for Prima J's soon to be released debut CD. In the mean time Stefanie has written and sang on several tracks from the Bratz movie soundtrack. As well as lending her voice to the music vocals of Yasmin in the "". She has written for Girlicious & the Pussycat Dolls.

Discography

Albums

*1996: "Wild Orchid"
*1998: "Oxygen"
*Not released: "Fire"
*2003: "Hypnotic"
*2006: ""
*2008: ""

ingles

Music Videos

*"At Night I Pray"
*"Talk To Me"
*"Supernatural" (Without rap)
*"Supernatural" (With rap)
*"My Tambourine"
*"Be Mine"

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/stefanieridelfans My Space Stefanie Ridel Page]

References