Like her sister, Wendy Wilson was part of my "surprise" discovery while I was researching her father Brian's family history. Although I knew that the members of the singing group Wilson-Phillips were the daughters of The Beach Boys and The Mommas & The Papas, I guess I hadn't made the connection that Wendy and Carnie were also distant cousins of mine. Strange how the brain sometimes works - or doesn't!

​

I remember listening to Wilson-Phillips music when it first came out, and their sound is still unmistakeable and distinct. I also listen to Wendy and Carnie's "Hey Santa" every Christmas and will admit that, until I hear that song, it's not really Christmas. That makes at least two distant relatives that I know of who have influenced our Christmas traditions with their songs (the other being "Jingle Bells" by James Pierpont, my 5th cousin, 5x removed).

​

Wendy, along with her sister Carnie and Chyna Phillips, also appeared as themselves in the movie "Bridesmaids" in 2011. 

​

Beyond Wendy's singing and song writing talents, I have not discovered much more information about this famous distant relative of mine, unfortunately. Still, her music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, continuing her family legacy that started with her father, her famous uncles and, of course, her equally famous cousin (1x removed), Mike Love.

​

Wendy has 4 sons - Leo, Beau, Will & Jessie (twins) and has been married to her husband, Daniel Knutson since 2002.

​

As with her sister and her father, I do not know, nor have I ever met Wendy, but I do thank them all for giving the world the priceless gift of music.

​