Motown's greatest hits receive an Arden performance

It’s been more than 50 years since the magic of Berry Gordy’s Motown hit the airwaves. The catchy danceable Detroit sound captivated North America and morphed into an irresistible force.

No other record company in the ’60s exerted that kind of influence. With more than 180 hit songs world-wide Motown’s influence still reverberates in many quarters from pop to soul to funk to hip hop.

Edmonton singer-songwriter-producer Terrell Edwards revels in Motown’s unstoppable style, sophistication and all-around brilliance.

Last September at Sherwood Park’s Festival Place, he premiered A Night of Motown and was asked to return for a two-nighter.

Due to its sensational success, he is remounting this incredible treat complete with signature songs and dazzling footwork for a special evening on Sunday, April 23 at the Arden Theatre.

Edwards and 70 singers and dancers recapture the spirit of Motown with a salute to solid-gold megastars such as the Supremes, Temptations, Jackson 5, Lionel Ritchie, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.

Prepare to spend an evening enjoying signature tunes ranging from My Girl, Can’t Hurry Love and I Want You Back to All Night Long, Grapevine and I Wish.

“This music was such a big part of my life growing up. My family listened to it so much. It was the fabric of what we listened to on a day-to-day basis,” said Edwards.

“The Motown singers had a real connection to the songs they sung. They did it so smooth. They had a way of delivering the music and it gave life to whatever they sang.”

Raised in Wisconsin within a musical family, Edwards realized early on music was his passion. His father was music director for the Mount Moriah Baptist Church and by the time Edwards was 14, he assisted in directing the choir.

After high school his parents discouraged him from further musical studies. To figure out his footing, Edwards enlisted in the navy and spent six years on active duty and two in the reserves.

He described his trade as “storekeeper.” He managed budgets, ordered materials and supplies and organized the logistics of dispensing his orders.

“I was on a supply ship. We would carry all the supplies alongside an aircraft carrier. We would unload and never even stop,” Edwards said.

“I don’t regret a moment of it. I learned so much just from the business perspective and about people.”

He returned home when an uncle passed away. Deeply affected by the passing, a song just seemed to spring from within.

“I felt I needed to write it down. At that time, I had no studio experience. I found a studio and a piano player.”

They recorded his first song Just Call On Me. His Aunt Bernice owned a radio station and she gave the single airplay.

“I was hooked after that.”

His break came when Aunt Bernice introduced him to Allan “Grip” Smith, a well-respected multi-platinum producer in town on a tour.

Smith invited him to move to Atlanta, working on a variety of artist projects that included names such as Keith Sweat, LSG, Old Skool, Jagged Edge, Dru Hill and Excape.

At one point Smith told Terrell, “You’re not that good a singer, but you sure write good songs.”

That particular comment encouraged Terrell to listen and work on his voice.

“Now he’s one of my biggest fans. He taught me not just to rely on talent, but that you have to work for everything.”

The music industry is a hard business and many who succeed crush people along the way. Through his experiences, Terrell opted to travel a different route.

“It’s important for me to encourage and inspire people and to make the world a better place. Music is just a tool for me now.”

In 2006, he met a Canadian girl and moved to Edmonton. Although the relationship didn’t last, Terrell’s music was welcomed with open arms in the region.

He released a second album, The Living Room, in 2012 with the Tate Music Group. That year he also started broadening his scope writing and producing music videos.

He’s teamed with John Cameron Entertainment (Singing Christmas Tree) and founded Tri-City Rat Pack, a tribute trio that celebrates the smooth jazzy tunes of the late great Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.

Last year Tri-City Rat Pack opened for stand-up comedian Jay Leno at River Cree Casino. Leno returns on May 26 and his office personally phoned Edwards inviting the trio for a rematch with the legendary showman.

A Night of Motown is simply another notch for Edwards. Joining him on stage is his tight four-piece composed of Janice Chow (vocalist), Brian Reinchert (music director/guitarist), Barrington Simpson (keyboard) and Krishna Ray (drummer).

St. Albert’s Donavan Weihmann, his daughter Sarah and 12-year-old Kiera Dean, deliver some of the grooves while DanceCo dancers provide the moves.

“From beginning to end, this is one of the greatest shows you could participate in. It’s going to touch your heart in some way. You will want to sing. You will want to dance. You will definitely want more.”