Wendy Moten (born November 22, 1964) is an American singer from Tennessee born in Memphis and based in Nashville.[1] Moten had successful career in music including several major-label solo records, some international hit songs, and a second career as a touring musician. Nevertheless, she made an unusual career decision at age 56 to enter an American national talent competition on NBC's The Voice where she finished as a finalist but did not win.[1] Moten is best known for the single "Come In Out of the Rain", which was a No. 8 hit in the UK in February 1994.[2]
Wendy Moten | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Memphis, Tennessee, US | November 22, 1964
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Solo artist, vocalist, performer |
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels | EMI, Vital, IRS |
Website | wendymoten.com |
Early life and career
The daughter of a pastor, Moten began singing in a church choir as a child.[1] She attended Overton High School in Memphis and sang in the Overton Choir under the direction of the late Lulah M. Hedgeman.[2] She won a Mid-South Fair singing competition at age 16, and got a job singing at a theme park.[1] She attended Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis)[2] as a music business major at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.[3] She was discovered by promo man Dick Williams who heard her as she was singing on a jingle in a Memphis studio.[1] She got her first break singing with Michael Bolton at a benefit concert; after signing with EMI, in 1992 she released her self-titled debut album and opened for Bolton on tour.[2] Moten's biggest hit single was "Come In Out of the Rain", which, although only peaking at #55 in 1993 on the Billboard Hot 100, was a No. 5 adult contemporary hit, and also reached the Top 10 in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at No. 8 in 1994. A follow-up single, "So Close to Love" did not chart in the U.S. but reached No. 35 in the UK Top 40. She had s starring role in an off-Broadway production, "Mama I Want to Sing".[4] In the late 1990s, with her personal career at a crossroads, she accepted an offer to tour with Julio Iglesias, a working relationship that continued for the next 15 years.[1] She said, "I toured the whole world with him, singing in four languages . . . flying around in private jets and singing in front of massive audiencies."[1]
In 2006, Moten sang back-up vocals on the Soul2Soul II Tour with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. She continued touring with Tim and Faith from 2005-2018. She contributed backing vocals to Bonnie Tyler's 2013 album Rocks and Honey. She also toured with Martina McBride from 2014-2016 providing background vocals. Moten was a harmony singer for Vince Gill and was a member of his Time Jumpers for several years, but in 2020, Gill took her on tour as a featured vocalist.[5] She made it to the finale on Season 21 of The Voice on Blake Shelton's team, being declared the runner-up of the season. [6]
Round | Order | Song | Original Artist | Original Air Date | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blind Auditions | 1.11 | "We Can Work It Out" | The Beatles | Sept. 20, 2021 | All four chairs turned. John Legend blocked, join Team Blake |
Battles | 9.9 | "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" (vs. Manny Keith) | Sting | Oct. 18, 2021 | Saved by coach |
Knockouts | 11.1 | "Ain't No Way" (vs. Jonathan Mouton) | Aretha Franklin | Oct. 25, 2021 | |
Live Playoffs | 15.20 | "I Will Always Love You" | Dolly Parton (Whitney Houston cover) | Nov. 8, 2021 | Public's Vote |
Live Top 12
"Dedications" |
17.1 | "Blue Bayou" | Linda Ronstadt | Nov. 15, 2021 | |
Live Top 11
"Fan Week" |
19.1 | "Freeway of Love" | Aretha Franklin | Nov. 22, 2021 | |
Live Top 10
"Challenge Week" |
21.2 | "Jolene" | Dolly Parton | Nov. 29, 2021 | |
Live Top 8 (Semifinals)
(Solo & Duet with Another Act) |
23.3 | "Change the World" (with Paris Winningham) | Eric Clapton | Dec. 6, 2021 | |
23.9 | "You're All I Need to Get By" | Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell | |||
Live Finale (Final 5) | 25.5 | "How Will I Know" | Whitney Houston | Dec. 13, 2021 | Runner-Up |
25.10 | "Over the Rainbow" | Judy Garland (Patti LaBelle cover) | |||
26.15 | "Just a Fool" (with Blake Shelton) | Christina Aguilera & Blake Shelton | Dec. 14, 2021 |
Discography
- Studio Albums
- 1992: Wendy Moten
- 1995: Time for Change
- 1996: Life's What You Make It
- 2009: Tis the Season
- 2014: Timeless – Wendy Moten sings Richard Whiting
- 2020: I've Got You Covered
- EPs
- 1995: Christmas Time
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Mehr, Bob (February 7, 2022). "Memphis Singer Wendy Moten Ready for Stardom Again After 'The Voice'". No. 118:37. The Tennessean. USA Today Network. pp. 2–A, 5–A. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
- ^ a b c d DeCosta-Willis, Miriam (2008). Notable Black Memphians. Amherst, N.Y.: Cambria Press. p. 374. ISBN 9781604975055.
- ^ Warthen, Cassie. "Memphis Alum Wendy Moten takes The Voice by storm". The Blue Note. The Blue Note. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Wendy Moten Review". allmusic.com. Netaktion LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- ^ "Vince Gill Tours Solo Again with 'Voice' Finalist Wendy Moten". americansongwriter.com. American Songwriter. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
- ^ "Memphian comes in second on 'The Voice' season finale". Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian. Retrieved January 14, 2022.