Will Wheaton

Will Wheaton, born Willie Mack Wheaton Jr. (born October 26, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He grew up in Los Angeles and is the son of Gospel singer Juanita Wheaton. He studied music in his teens and was eventually tutored by Furman Fordham, whose former students include Lena Horne.

He became a sought-after studio background singer and has performed on projects for Natalie Cole, Coolio, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Willy DeVille, Quincy Jones, Montell Jordan, Kenny Loggins, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, and Stevie Wonder. In 1998, he did background vocals on Rod Stewart's ''When We Were the New Boys'', and played bass in his performances. He also sings in commercials, including spots for American Express, Dr Pepper, The Gap, MasterCard, McDonald's and Sprite.Music Remedy.com

In 1992 he won Dick Clark's ''USA Music Challenge'' talent contest and received an MCA recording contract. Clark said of him, "Will Wheaton has a signature voice that puts you in the mood for romance." Although an MCA album never materialized, in 1995 he came to the attention of Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster who signed him to the vocal group ''Next Millennium''. He co-wrote four songs for the project with Foster but that album was not released either.''The New Black Magazine'' website
/ref>

Wheaton began to achieve major success as a songwriter in the 1990s and has composed songs for the Manhattans, Earth, Wind & Fire, Tevin Campbell, Will Downing, and Iyanla Vanzant. He also co-wrote the title hit for American superstar Anastacia's ''Not That Kind'' which sold over 10 million copies.

He has released two albums on his own ''Platinum Brass Records'' imprint: ''Consenting Adultz'' in 1999, and the critically acclaimed ''Old School Soul'' in 2005. In a nationwide promotion and marketing campaign, the latter was launched in AMC Theatres in Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and New York.

In 2000, BET used three of Wheaton's songs from "Consenting Adultz" for its ''Midnight Blue'' movie of the week. He also sang bass on the soundtrack for ''The Temptations'' mini series. The '' Felicity'' TV series used two of his songs for their syndication update.

He toured with Japanese superstar Namie Amuro on her '' Genius 2000'' tour and has worked on her recent albums. He was also a featured singer in Ben Stiller's ''Mystery Men.'' Wheaton lives in Los Angeles.

Discography

''Projects including Will Wheaton compositions (partial list)''

* ''Not That Kind'' – Anastacia single (album title song 1998)
* '' In the Name of Love'' – Earth Wind and Fire
* ''Somewhere in the Night'' (lyrics) – Manhattans, ''Even Now''
* ''Invitation Only'' – Will Downing
* ''In The Mean Time'' – Iyanla Vanzant (Inspirational project)
* ''Consenting Adultz'' – Will Wheaton
* ''Old School Soul'' – Will Wheaton
* ''French Exit'' – Film score contribution
* ''Mystery Men'' – Film (featured singer)
* '' Lady in My Life'' - Will Wheaton cover of Rod Temperton composition first popularized by Michael Jackson

References

External links

Official website
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wheaton, Will
Living people
American jazz singers
People from Laurel, Mississippi
1972 births
Singer-songwriters from Mississippi
Jazz musicians from Mississippi
21st-century American singer-songwriters