Wild Orchid (band)

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Wild Orchid

Background information
Origin	United States
Genre(s)	Pop, R&B, Dance
Years active	1991–2004
Label(s)	Sony, RCA, Yellow Brick
Former members
Stacy Ferguson (1991-2001) Renee Sandstrom Stefanie Ridel

Wild Orchid performing, c. 2001.

Wild Orchid (1991-2004) was an American vocal group, featuring Stacy Ann Ferguson (later of the Black Eyed Peas), Stefanie Ridel and Renee Ilene Sandstrom (two of them transplanted from Kids Incorporated).

1 History
2 Discography
- 2.1 Albums
- 2.2 Singles
  - 2.2.1 Notes
3 External links

[edit] 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 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 final 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 Much Music, on July 29, 2001 [1]. 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.

"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. Serendipitously, however, she met her future Black Eyed Peas bandmate will.i.am at one of Wild Orchid's final concert appearances together [2].

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Album cover	Album information
	Wild Orchid Released: March 27, 1997 Chart Peak: #153 US, #4 Top Heatseekers Last RIAA Description: Gold Singles: "At Night I Pray", "Talk To Me", "Supernatural", "Follow Me/I Won't Play The Fool" (promo remixes only) Worldwide sales: 1 million copies
	Oxygen Released: September 29, 1998 Chart peak: No chart Last RIAA Description: n/a Singles: "Be Mine", "Come As You Are" (proposed 2nd single) Worldwide sales: 200,000 copies
	Fire Released: Not released - artist dropped by label prior to release Chart Peak: n/a Last RIAA Description: n/a Singles: "Stuttering (Don't Say)", "Just Another Girl" (proposed-never released), "Do Me Right" (proposed-never released) Worldwide sales: n/a
	Hypnotic Released: January, 2003 Chart peak: No chart Last RIAA Description: n/a Singles: n/a Worldwide sales: 20,000 copies

[edit] Singles

Year	Title	Album	US	Canada
1996	"At Night I Pray" ¹	Wild Orchid	29	29
1997	"Talk to Me" ²	Wild Orchid	10	38
1997	"Supernatural" ³	Wild Orchid	70	-
1998	"Be Mine" ³	Oxygen	103	-
2001	"Stuttering (Don't Say)" ²	Fire	33	-