Release Day: Crystal Penny’s New Single, Standards Is Out

Sisters Crystal Wilson Blackmon and Penni Wilson, the singer-songwriter duo known as  Crystal Penny,  released a new song, Standards, on all music streaming platforms. Their timeless R&B tune is brought to life by Crystal and Penni’s trademark vocal harmonies, an engaging melody, and lyrics praising the legendary soul music divas. The track was produced by Ivan Hampden Jr., who scored a UK Soul Chart hit with his song, Mama’s Kitchen Table, featuring Paulette McWilliams last Spring.

 

Already embraced by UK audiences, Crystal Penny’s new single, Standards,  is a follow-up to their original soul classic recordings (performed under the group name The Lovations) that have gone viral and will be available on all music app platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon starting April 21, 2023.

The core sentiment of their new single is a celebration of the Queens of the Quiet Storm. Many of these legendary ladies’ personal and professional journeys hit close to home to the Wilson sisters. “The women mentioned in the song are our icons,” says Crystal Blackmon Wilson. “We grew up listening to Sarah Vaughan and idolized Etta James and Dionne Warwick. These women inspired us to sing in the first place.”

 Crystal and Penni understand how love songs affect the way we love, live, and interact with one another. “Our favorite vocalists express the grand illusion of what love should be and what we should feel,” Penni adds.  “We hear it on the radio and strive to find it in our lives.”

Crystal Blackmon Wilson and Penni Wilson guest on Toni B’s radio program for UG:ONE on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The dynamic diva duo are celebrating their song charting at #3 on BCfm Radio’s Official Soul Chart hosted by Tony Griffin.

Standards’ catchy hook is a list of famous divas’ names, including Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, Phyllis Hyman, and Patti LaBelle. These women taught higher standards of romance to generations of Quiet Storm listeners.

Don’t miss Crystal Penny when they appear on Richard Marzetti’s Soul Life program at Solar Radio on May 12, 2023.

Crystal Penny is the dynamic duo of singer-songwriter sisters Crystal and Penni Wilson. They began their career known as The Lovations with a string of original classical soul hits that recently went viral. Since then, they have shared the stage or recorded with such icons as Barry White, Maurice White, Rick James, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, and Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, among many others. Their sweet harmonies accompany the late maestro Barry White on his classic hit “Practice What You Preach.” The two also appeared on OWN network’s reality TV show, “Flex & Shanice,” starring Crystal’s daughter, Grammy-nominated recording artist Shanice Wilson, her husband, actor and comedian, Flex, and their children.

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Crystal Penny’s STANDARDS Debuts At #15

Life’s joys and chart positions go by so fast; I want to hold on a bit longer before they pass.

The song I co-wrote, “STANDARDS” appearing on the Official BCfm Soul Chart, is my tribute to the leading ladies of R&B and their timeless classics that shaped my young heart’s ideals of love.

I grew up listening to their standards on Quiet Storm on WDKX in Rochester, NY, and have been a fan ever since.

There will also never be any doubt about the monumental role Luther Vandross and his music played in my life. His genius as a songwriter, producer, and artist for conveying all the emotional yearnings of romance are the rhythms to which all lovers dance.

“Luther Vandross was the most polite Soul singer to have ever lived. His music was less a quiet storm and more a beautiful sunshower,” writes Matty Wishnow for Past Prime.

Luther also adored our favorite ‘divas,’ so our song celebrates him too.

Thank you to DJ Tony Griffin and BCFM Radio for enjoying Crystal Penny’ “STANDARDS” as much as I do. I am overjoyed! STANDARDS will be available on all music streaming apps in late April. Stay tuned!