About Perri A. Reid
“Music, artist developing, and helping people is a lifetime chosen calling for me,” says Perri Pebbles Reid, who fulfilled a childhood dream through her God-given talent to become an international pop/R&B sensation. Pebbles’ influence as a Renaissance—manager, producer, songwriter, director, and image maker—is still being felt today.”
Pebbles,” a childhood nickname, had an early brush with industry success in the early ’80s as a backup singer for percussionist/band leader Bill Summers and the funk outfit Con Funk Shun, helping to co-write “Body of Lover,” one of the band’s biggest hits. In 1987 she scored first breakthrough with Pebbles, her self-titled solo debut for MCA Records. “Pebbles” yielded a Platinum-plus album featuring the hits “Girlfriend” and “Mercedes Boy” (which Pebbles wrote), both Top Five Pop & #1 R&B smashes that became anthems around the world. These songs remain in heavy rotation across the globe. The videos for both songs, featuring Pebbles’ signature modern glam style, were in heavy rotation on MTV, VH1 and BET. During this time Pebbles married Antonio “LA” Reid, who would co-found LaFace Records with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds.
In 1990 Pebbles released “Always,” a well-received set that included the Top Five hit “Giving You the Benefit,” “Always,” and “Love Makes Things Happen.” The latter song, featuring Babyface, was a Top 20 Pop & R&B hit and remains a Quiet Storm staple. In 1995 Pebbles delivered Straight from My Heart, which included a more mature sound and featured the singer’s collaborations with producers / songwriters Sean Combs, Kyle West, and Organized Noize.
Combined, these three albums sold more than six million copies worldwide, received a Grammy nomination and a list of other songwriting and performance awards for Pebbles. As an established artist Pebbles turned her attention to discovering and cultivating new musical talent.
Through Pebbitone, her production company, Pebbles transformed the music industry with her discovery and development of TLC, the #1 selling female group of all time. Under Pebbles’ guidance as a producer, director, marketing chief, and image maker, this Grammy-award winning super group recorded 1993’s quintuple platinum debut album Ooooh…On the TLC Tip, featuring the Top 10 hits “Baby, Baby, Baby,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “What About Your Friends.” In 1994, TLC released CrazySexyCool, which sold an unprecedented thirteen million albums and garnered the group its first Grammy for Best R&B Album.
In our formative years, Pebbles was an integral part of LaFace Records along with Kenny Edmonds and myself,” says LA Reid. “She understood how to make hits, she had a strong visual sense, and she got both the pop and R&B world.”
In 1997, an encounter with God altered the course of events for Pebbles’ life forever. It was then that she accepted Christ in her life and her true calling was revealed. On November 17, 1998 Pebbles also affectionately known as “Sister Perri” founded WOGCL Ministries “Women of God Changing Lives” Through Christ Ministries. As an ordained minister, she has continuously served the community for thirteen (13) years by preaching the word and ministering through song.
“God is helping me to reach even more people and a future generation through the gifts He’s given me, and my love for music,” says Pebbles.
In February 2011, Pebbles was named as the executive producer / host of Essence’s national R&B search. Among other prizes, the winner will be awarded the coveted opportunity to perform in the Superdome during the 2011 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. This is an exciting opportunity for Pebbles because this project gives her a platform to do what she does best — discovering raw talent and collaborating with them to create superstars.
Sister Perri aka Pebbles
