Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Shelly Clark of Honey Cone Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
As a child I auditioned for a role on Broadway in the hit musical play House of Flowers. Out of 500 child performers that auditioned the producers told my parents they liked me best; but actually the part called for a little boy! My father took me aside and with a pair of scissors proceeded to cut all my hair off which was almost to my waist. He marched me back to producers, who hired me on the spot!!
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Shelly Clark.
Shelly Clark is an original and co-founding member of the iconic 1960’s and 70’s American R&B/Soul girl group Honey Cone, who were recently inducted into the Soul Music Hall of Fame. Shelly has had an extensive and diverse career in the entertainment industry, having created an enduring legacy of Billboard №1 and Top 10 hits that garnered numerous gold records and esteemed industry awards. Honey Cone were the first girl group to usher in a new, more assertive era lyrically with their strong messages about female empowerment, being operated by the famed writing team Holland–Dozier–Holland. This trio wrote, arranged and produced the songs that helped define the Motown sound in the 1960s, and Honey Cone was the first band they signed and produced after they departed from Motown in 1968. Shelly continues the legacy of Honey Cone by continuing to tour and perform the hits of the band, currently reuniting to embark on a new tour at an astonishing 76 years old.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in Brooklyn, NY (Fort Greene Projects) and attended PS 67 — a local public school. My mom (a Russian Jew) was a concert pianist and said from the age of 2 I sang along with her compositions and had perfect pitch. She and my dad started entering me in various kiddie pageants and talent shows and I quickly became a mixed-race Shirley Temple show biz kid of sorts. As time went on, I became famous for working nonstop as a child performer on TV, in music and on Broadway. I had to switch from public education to attending private school instead because I had long hours on set and in the studio.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to become a vocalist/singer and the creation of Honey Cone?
Eventually, our family moved out to Los Angeles in search of opportunities in TV and film. I started singing at LA High School for assemblies and shows and received a PTA Scholarship to study music at USC while still in high school. After graduating, this led to an audition to travel on the road as an Ikette with the legendary Ike and Tina Turner Revue, and then as a dancer with Little Richard Revue. While also multitasking as a session singer, I was asked to perform with 2 other session singers Carolyn Willis and Edna Wright on the Andy Williams TV Special featuring 2 legends Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick. Iconic songwriting team Holland Dozier Holland was watching the TV special and quickly contacted us saying they wanted to sign us to their new record label HOT WAX RECORDS as their first female group. We agreed and Honey Cone was born.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
As a child, I auditioned for a role on Broadway in the hit musical play House of Flowers. Out of 500 child performers that auditioned the producers told my parents they liked me best; but actually the part called for a little boy! My father took me aside and with a pair of scissors proceeded to cut all my hair off which was almost to my waist. He marched me back to producers, who hired me on the spot!!
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
As a Honey Cone our producers asked us to stay off the industry radar until our records were released and on the radio. I, however, became impatient; auditioned and was cast in a role on a successful major TV show called The Jim Nabors Variety Hour. Well wouldn’t ya know 6 weeks into the TV show our record Want Ads hit the radio and went to number one!! Big mistake!! The next day I went to the TV producers in an attempt to resign from the show. However they quickly reminded me that I signed a 2 episode contract and they denied my resignation. I realized in order to leave the TV show I would have to replace myself with someone comparable. I started auditioning talented potentials to take my place. 5 in a row. Finally, the right singer auditioned for me, the TV show accepted an amazing Raelette (from Ray Charles Revue) Alex Brown and I was THEN able to leave for Detroit to start a career as Honey Cone. Lesson learned…. a little patience is worth its weight in gold!!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I would have to say my mother who was ALWAYS ahead of her time; married a black man in an era when it was illegal and practiced a holistic vegan lifestyle, was the “Shelly Clark cheerleader” of all time!! Mom Lilly Day (rip) was always there for me and believed any and everything I touched would turn to gold — No matter how ridiculous it sounded! I remember auditioning for the Young Americans, a touring group of young talented professionals. I didn’t make It, as they already had a black female singer and didn’t need another. But I was absolutely devastated because I always nailed every audition in the past and became seriously depressed. However, my mother reassured me that certain things are not meant to be for a reason and not to worry!! And sure enough that’s when Honey Cone opportunity presented itself!
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Yes, this industry can be challenging but I have always thought that the career process is a journey not a Sprint. It’s important to enjoy the ride because for me it’s an honor and privilege to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and paved the way.
Every industry iterates and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?
It may sound farfetched but moving forward I would like to see mandatory courses for young artists entering the business that specialize in music theory and the BUSINESS OF MUSIC — Which would include knowledge about royalties, publishing and the art of deal.
You have such an impressive career. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
We are constantly working on our stage show, touring next year, and releasing a hot new single to be marketed here and abroad in 2024.
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film, television and music? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
Diversity in films music and TV is crucial because everyone has something great to offer. We all learn from one another and the industry should reflect the world we live in. I believe we all have a gift to give and we’re all part of the human family!
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
As my mother taught me at an early age, try not to cook the life out of veggies, eat natural foods and eat small portions. Regarding exercise, I love to dance to music for my cardio instead of jogging. But I enjoy power walking with my dogs also. I try to meditate or chant if I become stressed and see a holistic doctor periodically for checkups. Acupuncture, a physical therapist and IV cocktails are also part of my health regimen.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Treat the CEO and the servant equally and your life will be blessed!
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Lots of humor and laughter! And I have to say overall be kind to all people.
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
