Renee Guillory-Wearing

Singer-songwriter, choreographer based out of Philadelphia, PA. Singer with The Ritchie Family. She has had a lengthy career in education and was an administrator. She had been in a choir and played violin in a high school orchestra. She grew up with members of Sister Sledge and at some stage went on the road with them. She didn't sing with them but did a little choreography. When she came back home she decided to go in to teaching. In the 2000s, the original Ritchie Family members [a562057] and Cheryl Mason-Dorman (formerly Cheryl Mason Jacks) wanted to reform the group. Due to the unavailability of Gwen Oliver, they worked with former [a1736286] member Michelle Simpson for a brief period of time in the early stages. This stage of the venture finished when they stopped for a while. Some time later looking to re-start, they got in touch with Renee via a mutual friend of Cheryl. A line of correspondence began but it was soon discovered that the "Renee": Cheryl was corresponding with wasn't the correct lady. Eventually this was resolved and the correct Renee was located. Renee Guillory-Wearing was auditioned in 2011, and she was the member they settled with to complete the line-up. In 2016 with Renee on lead vocal they had a single "Ice" released on Purple Rose Records. It became a Billboard Top 40 dance hit. They performed overseas and appeared at prestigious venues. Some of the live performances and rehearsals have been archived by disco historian, Hans R. de Vries. In April, 2020 as LeRae. she had "My Way To Hope" released on the Purple Rose label. It was the label's first release aimed at a Christian audience. In 2021, Renee, Cassandra and Cheryl had a new single, "Whatcha Got" announced for release. ------------------------------------------------ Interviews ------------------------------------------------ * Live it Up with Donna Drake The Ritchie Family now represented by Martha Wash (Aug. 2016) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ISAAzAjg_E * The Ritchie Family interviewed by Lenny Fontana for True House Stories # 017 (Nov. 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olDOj-76sJ8 * Shinyl.co.uk - Ady Crampton Chats to the Stars (Dec. 2020) https://www.shinyl.co.uk/the-ritchie-family/