Story and all photos by Tim Van Schmidt
It all started in 1959, when producer Berry Gordy Jr. formed Tamala Records - the first major African American owned record label. In short order, it became Motown Record Corporation and so began a tsunami of irresistible hits that dominated the record charts for years afterwards.
Stop in the Name of Love -Front Line- Phil Donaldson, Carlton Pride, Peaches Embry and Audree Dillard
Flash forward to March 6, 2024 and the power of Motown would turn the Fort Collins Senior Center into a happy dance hall thanks to a super group of Colorado musicians calling themselves the FoCo Motown Revue.
The event was a musical celebration as part of the extensive five-day Founded in FoCo conference focusing on local entrepreneurship. Honestly, I hadn't even heard of Founded in FoCo, but I saw a poster for the FoCo Motown Revue's show in a local coffee shop and I knew that this would be fun. Not just fun, VERY fun.
John Magnie on the keys
"Shotgun," "Dancing in the Streets," "Tears of a Clown," "Superstition" and so many other great tunes just kept blasting from the stage at the Senior Center, with a little bit of history thrown in for good measure. And, well, I just couldn't keep my seat. Neither could the rest of the crowd, who were easily coerced into forming a "Soul Train line" and otherwise absorbed the upbeat vibes from the stage.
Laying the beat-Jeff Finlin on the drums and Ian Anderson on Bass while Craig Brunner is blowing some soul
I recently saw an online article that wondered if the music of rock artists like Joni Mitchell and The Eagles would ever hold a place in the "American Songbook" like the standard tunes of previous generations. I don't know about those artists in particular, but the Motown hits the FoCo Motown Revue cranked out have and will stand the test of time.
The talent was endless-Craig Satterfield bending some string, Hugh Ragin and his horn
All you had to do is look around the room. If attendees weren't dancing, they were singing along as though the music was just a part of their DNA. That's proof positive that Motown music is not just a case of nostalgia, it remains a creative engine that makes the heart pump and the feet move. Thanks to the FoCo Motown Revue for that!
Editors note: Thanks, Tim, for sharing! The Motown Revue is something this group of talented players do extremely well. Last year I caught them at the Juneteenth Celebration in Fort Collins. I am hoping they repeat it this June. if they do be sure to catch it, you will be in for a treat!