bio

Our Story, Our Time, The Hues Corporation

The Hues Corporation, a pop and soul trio, began in 1969, under the leadership of its co-founder, Wally Holmes in Santa Monica, California. Group members Flemming Williams, Bernard “St. Clair Lee” Henderson, the other group co-founder, and Hubert Ann Kelley began their music career performing at the Las Vegas Circus Circus Casino as an opening act for such artists as Frank Sinatra, Milton Berle, Nancy Sinatra, and Glen Campbell.

In 1974, the band scored a massive smash success with “Rock the Boat”; the infectiously bubbly and upbeat tune hit #1 on the Billboard charts, sold a million copies, and remains one of the first major hit disco songs from the seventies. “Rock the Boat” is the band’s legacy. It led to a new, danceable sound that became a forerunner to the disco beats that would arise soon after.

“Rock the Boat” is played on several movie soundtracks, “Roll Bounce,” “Man on the Moon,” “Lawn Dogs,” “The Devil’s Own,” “Carlito’s Way,” “The Spirit of 76,”, “Milk”, and “The Martian.”

The song is also in M&M commercials including television shows, i.e., The Sopranos, The West Wing, Ed, and The Simpsons. Most recently, “Rock the Boat” opened the March 28, 2024, episode of the TV series, “9-1-1” episode titled, “Capsized”. This was the first time that Anderson, lead singer, would hear his voice on the “Rock the Boat” Re-record used for commercial purposes. “Rock the Boat” Re-record was used in ‘Hotel Cocaine’ July 7, 2024, Season 1 Episode 4 Titled ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’.

By 1978 their recording career began to stall. In 1989, The Hues Corporation came on strong with lead singer, Wendell E. Anderson, Sr., St. Clair Lee, and Marie Elaine Woodard. They performed on various television specials, major U.S. venues and overseas. The group appeared in a 2004 PBS “My Music Series” television program. The group would take another brief hiatus.

In 2015 the group would return to the music scene now based out of Cincinnati, OH, the hometown of Anderson. They would perform at the 40th Anniversary of Dance Fever. In September 2019, The Hues Corporation along with other national artists performed a live Saturday Night Dance Fever Disco show in Sacramento, California hosted by Denny Terrio with the Urban Guerilla Orchestra (UGO) as the backing band. They would also perform at the 2019 World’s Largest Disco in Buffalo, New York with current members, Wendell E. Anderson, Sr., Jinnerva Shelery, and Deondra Means.

In October 2021, The Hues Corporation released its newest single, “Rock the Boat 4Love”. The song is the collaboration between The Hues Corporation, Master Gee of The Sugarhill Gang who changed the music world forever in 1979 when they penned the iconic “Rapper’s
Delight” – a song NPR calls one of the 100 “most important American musical works of the 20th Century” and Cincinnati native, Julian Johnson, former singer with The Hues Corporation, and one of the most talented recording artists, musicians, composers, arrangers, and producers on the scene.

After two years of world’s COVID19 lockdown, the group returned to the performance scene on the 2022 Ultimate Disco Cruise sailing out of Miami Florida. The Hues Corporation headlined Cincinnati Ohio’s 35th Juneteenth event on June 18, 2022, a national holiday. Other performances include The Asher Theater, Myrtle Beach, SC on November 25, 2022; A Night at the Disco Where the Stars Shine in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.

The group would perform in Rome, Italy on the television show “il migliori anni disco in italia,” April 20, 2024. This was the first time that lead singer, Wendell E. Anderson, Sr., would perform with a fractured rib from a fall the day before the trip that landed him in the ER for eight hours. But as you know in show business – the show must go on.

The Hues Corporation performed on the 2026 Ultimate Disco Cruise, February 23 – 28, 2026. It was an experience you will want to remember. Five days and nights with entertainment and activities to keep any guest wanting more. If you have never experienced the Ultimate Disco Cruise, put it on your bucket list. You will not be disappointed.

The Hues Corporation will be a part of the magic for the upcoming Maurice Watts 2027 Classic R&B Music Festival! We plan to bring so many smiles to our attendees' faces. We are thrilled to join Maurice Watts at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Pocono Manor, PA. The event is from September 24th to 28th, 2027. How to Book: Register online at mauricewatts.com or call the hotline at 888-210-8009.

The Hues Corporation along with Ava DuPree Holmes who accepted a posthumous award for her late husband and Hues Corporation Co-founder, Wally Holmes, were honored as a part of The Legends of Vinyl Awards Gala on October 26, 2024, in Jersey City, NJ (rescheduled from September 14, 2024, New York City, NY event). The Hues Corporation also performed their iconic song, “Rock the Boat.”

As of this writing on August 7, 2026, the status of the original members and founder follows: Flemming Williams passed away in 1998. Bernard “St. Clair Lee” Henderson passed away on March 8, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. Wally Holmes passed away September 1, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. Hubert Ann Kelley passed away July 20, 2023, in Los Angeles, California.

Visit www.nattyrecords.com to learn more if you are not reading this information on the website. Follow us on Instagram thehuescorporation. Visit o u r YouTube Channel - nattyrecords1412 - to view our collection of videos.
 

For all Business inquiries and to Book The Hues Corporation, please contact:

Wendell E. Anderson, Sr. or Sarah O. Anderson

Natty Records LLC
Cincinnati, OH 45231
Phone: (513) 800-3186
Email: nattyrecords60@gmail.com  

discography

Rock the Boat 4Love

Release Date: 10/01/2021
Format: Single
UPC: 196399439306

Listen to a Sample: "Rock the Boat 4Love"
Download full song here

Click here for more info

upcoming shows

• Friday, September 24, 2027
  The Hues Corporation
  at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
  250 Kalahari Boulevard, Pocono Manor, PA 18349 | 877-252-2427 | Venue Website
  Event starts at 12:00 PM | 18 and over
   

videos & photos

reviews

"I am glad I didn't miss this show"

— Bruce, Natty Records [published 3/31/2019]
Click here for full review

"This show was off the chain"

— Michelle Bonner, Natty Records [published 3/31/2019]
Click here for full review

"You were great."

— Angelo Russo, Natty Records [published 7/28/2018]
Click here for full review

"You all were great. We loved your performance."

— A Fan in the Audience, Natty Records [published 7/28/2018]
Click here for full review