Above the front windows of Motown Records’ Detroit headquarters was a sign that read “Hitsville U.S.A.” Placed there by Motown founder Berry Gordy soon after his company moved into the modest home at 2648 W. Grand Blvd, the sign demonstrated Gordy’s blazing — and at the time, unearned — arrogance. Then the slogan came true.
Founded on Jan. 12, 1959, Motown quickly became another Detroit factory; where the Big Three produced automobiles, Motown assembled the soul and pop classics that changed America. There’s no hyperbole in that statement. Arriving at the height of the civil rights movement, Motown was a black-owned, black-centered business that gave white America something they just could not get enough of — joyous, sad, romantic, mad, groovin’, movin’ music. A former boxer and automobile worker, Berry Gordy was an up-andcoming songwriter when, at the urging of Smokey Robinson, decided to establish Motown Records. The two had become friends years earlier and Robinson, who was the lead singer of a band called The Miracles, produced, wrote, and sang several of Motown’s most memorable hits — including the labels’ first smash song, “Shop Around” in 1960. A year later, “Please Mr. Postman,” by The Marvelettes, was the label’s first No. 1 song. It would not be the last.
Over the next decade, the sheer number of chart-topping artists, musicians, and groups produced by Motown defied comprehension: Martha and the Vandellas, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, all became part of what would come to be known as the Motown Sound. It is rumored that Gordy modeled his hit factory after the Detroit car assembly line that he knew so well: Make a good product, then make something similar, and make it quick. Over here were the songwriters — Robinson and the team of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland (Holland-Dozier, Holland, or H-D-H). Over there was the talent — Stevie Wonder, whom the label discovered when he was 11; Marvin Gaye, who wanted so much to be a jazz crooner before he came into his own in the late 60’s; and, above all, Diana Ross. In a neglected corner were the session musicians the Funk Brothers, who played on God knows how many hit songs. Let’s just say a lot.
Throughout the Sixties, Motown produced a catalog of songs that cannot be rivaled. “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me,” “Heat Wave,” “Dancing in the Street,” “Tracks of My Tears,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “My Guy,” “My Girl,” “Baby Love,” “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” “I Can’t Help Myself,” “Get Ready,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” and so on. They were simple love songs that told simple stories, often in joyously happy or heartbreakingly sad ways. And all the while Motown was the pride of Detroit and the pride of black America (though Gordy tried, with his usual bluster, to make it the “Sound of Young America,” a label he began to stamp on all of the company’s vinyl). (Time Magazine) Flash forward to early 2019 when local Sabine Prevention Coordinator and semipro musician, James Wagley met with Many Town Council Member Mary Perry to pitch the idea of a live Motown Review for the 2019 Juneteenth Celebration. Mary thought that it was a good idea. Having been Harmon Drew’s bass player, Wagley started pitching the idea to fellow musicians while he and Mary started lining up local sponsors for the show. THEN COVID HIT. Almost all live venues were shut down, as well as most in-person gatherings and church meetings. The Motown idea was put on the shelf but remained alive. In the early spring of 2023, most live venues had reopened and planning for the 2023 Juneteenth emerged as a possibility.
Local Businesses jumped in to become “Motown Angels” by donating funds to pay the out-of-town singers and musicians while covering the cost of operating the Community Center Theater. Tammy Holmes, Chairperson of the Black Heritage Committee became involved in the project and the search for local vocal talent and sponsors began. Angel” funders for the project included the Sabine Prevention Alliance and Foy Motors giving at the Platinum level, Attorneys Chris Sylvia, JR Stevens, and Charles Soileau along with Rebecca Meshell/Mike King, and Tomiko’s Financial Services donated at the Gold level, Tabatha White and Bobbie Kratz gave at the Silver level and R.F. Expert Services and Sabine Venture-Pete Abbington at the Bronze level.
Wagley got the players together. They included horn men Dave Duplessi on sax and Alan Roberts on trumpet; Kenny Cardino and Wagley as the string section, vocalists Mike Morris and Zelma Broussard, all from the now retired Harmon Drew Supergroup showed up along with Henry Reggans from the Louisiana Sidemen on keyboards and vocals, local drummer Kerwin Alexander and The Turn-Ups singer and percussionist Ashley Giddings. This group of players made up the Motown Review Band.
Local volunteer singers, Renita Wolf, William Ruffin, Jake Hebert, Zelma Broussard, Summer (Velma) Wolf and Stephanie Williams got on board preparing their favorite Motown tunes. The vocalists volunteered to take on a set list teeming with 22 Motown hits from the 50s,60s and 70s. The band’s rhythm section dedicated several weekends to “woodshed” the arrangements. Vocalists were brought in for one practice and a last-minute sound check prior to the show. Reverend Recie Williams, a musician in his own rite, agreed to MC the show and brought with him the Kings Chapel Praise Team to perform during the show’s intermission. Long time sound man Terri Gaddy spent hours getting lights and sound ready for a 14-piece review band to perform for the citizens of Many on the third of June as a prelude to the 2023 Juneteenth Celebrations. On June 3rd, Town of Many staff prepared the Theater, worked the front door, managed the concession stand and donations and took care of the folks coming in to see the show.
The show came off without a hitch. An estimated 125 music lovers came to listen and made donations at the door which went to the Sabine High School Revitalization Project. Those in attendance had a great time and showed much support for Sabine’s local performers who definitely “showed up” for the two-hour performance. A special Thank You goes out to the businesses, local professionals and individuals who financially contributed to the show, Motown Music lovers and their families who came out to support the show and specifically, to the Town of Many employees who volunteered much time in decorating the theater, working the front door and concessions, and making sure their patrons were comfortable and having a good time. Additionally, the T.O.M. staff put in all of the behind the scenes work that goes in to a successful music production So Sabine, what say ye about 2024?