By Pops Peterson

I first saw Wanda Houston sing at Napa, a restaurant that used to be on Main Street in Great Barrington, about 20 years ago. Mark and I would go there every weekend to see her because she was just that smooth and sassy. As the years have gone by, Wanda’s name recognition has grown and she’s practically ubiquitous in our live music scene, always garnering great acclaim. When it was time to book entertainment for our wedding in 2010, we looked no further. She and her band serenaded our guests with a set of American Songbook and jazz standards, and she even let me sing a solo, “You Send Me.”

More recently, when I needed a backup singer for my music video, “Never Too Late to Get Your Party On,” I was thrilled she said yes. My producer’s eyes lit up like fireworks when I told him Wanda would be joining us—Jackson Whalan is an accomplished record producer, and his attitude towards her was practically reverent. I had no idea what to do with the backups, but good musicians are magicians. Between us we came up with the lyrics, harmonies, and even background chatter and noises, not only efficiently, but with a tremendous amount of fun and craziness. Although we hardly knew one another, we had each other rolling with laughter all afternoon and all that mirth wound up on the track. I have never had more fun in my life, because Wanda brings the party.

The party has been going strong for decades for this singer originally from Chicago’s West Side, where she started singing in gospel choirs as a young girl. The oldest of four children born to John and Bessie Houston, Wanda grew up in a very creative family. Her father, director of Garfield Park in Chicago, was an actor who ran a theater company, while her mother, who was director of the largest daycare school in Chicago, was an actress, singer, and choir director.

After studying chemistry in college, Wanda switched to music, earning her degree in opera. After graduating, she spent two decades in Los Angeles, appearing in some Hollywood films and singing at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. She toured internationally with the musical “Sisterella,” spending a year in Australia and considered staying there forever.

In the 2000s, she toured with legendary Motown acts like Martha and the Vandellas and The Platters. She lived and performed all over the United States, Australia, and Europe before settling in the Berkshires. Her move here was a tremendous leap of faith.

“Two friends of mine, who I shared stages with in Chicago right out of high school, had a little theater in Sharon, Connecticut, Tri Arts at Sharon Playhouse,” Wanda recalled. “I’d come up from NYC to do their shows, like ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’.’ The drummer from that show invited me to think about staying up here. I asked him why. He said, ‘We could get work!’ I laughed and said ‘Where?’ He said, ‘Let me take you around.’ He took me to The Egremont Inn and I was amazed! There was a scene!”

The business isn’t always easy for the Sheffield resident—the love of the work is what keeps her going. Her faith has also played a major role. “The Lord takes care of me, but I also know that I have a responsibility to bring joy and love. This is what people don’t understand. You gotta love one another. Live and let live, love and be loved!”

To see where Wanda will be performing, visit wandaworld.biz

Pops Peterson is the owner of SEVEN salon.spa in Stockbridge and an award-winning artist.