Motown is coming to the White House… President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will honor Black History Month by inviting a group of music legends and other artists to the White House for “The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House.”
The concert, scheduled for Feb. 24, will feature performances by Smokey Robinson, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Gloriana, Nick Jonas, Ledisi, John Legend, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Seal and Jordin Sparks.
Greg Phillinganes will serve as the evening’s music director. The concert will air on PBS stations on March 1.
A year ago:
The Obama Diary 
Why isn’t Diana Ross in this group???
Not sure, just checked and she’s on tour at the moment, but don’t know if a concert clashes with the White House date??
My grandson always thinks this is some new music and I love telling him this is from the olden days. lol
Smokey Robinson, yeahhhhhhh, “You Better Shop Around” hey hey hey now, that song was In my era, brings back memories, and makes me want to dance :-).
I got excited at the name Motown, until I saw the line-up. Sorry, but those people don’t spell Motown to me. I’m old school, and unfortunately, a lot of the stars are either deceased or incapacitated in some way. However, there still are Martha Reeves, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, The Temptations (in some form), Mary Wilson and some other Supremes. I just wonder who set this up. Also, when Smokey was there, he messed up the song with Jennifer Hudson….I had to laugh….My man is just getting old, I guess. I wouldn’t be inclined to watch, but hope it is enjoyable for those who do.
I felt a bit that way too EDP4BHO, the line-up is disappointing – I mean, Nick Jonas?!?! But I just don’t know how many Motown stars are still around and performing, so maybe the choice was limited? And I suppose hearing the likes of Jonas singing the old standards will appeal to the younger crew, so maybe there’s no harm in that.
Surely they can do better than this. I never even heard of half these people. This is very disappointing.
I suppose Nick Jonas was included for Sasha and Malia. I too was disappointed with the line up. I also suppose they want to give everyone some exposure.
I play Mary Wells MY GUY everyday for my Mom, part of a daily reminiscense of my Dad, long departed, but very alive in our hearts, and the love of her life.
I was crazy about the song when I was a little girl, probably 4 or 5 at the time, and I still love it….”Theres not a man today that could take me away from my guy.”
Now I’ve got Marvin Gaye on the brain…….
I came home from work yesterday, intending to get some work done, and made the mistake of turning on YouTube. I started with the Temptations, from there I went to Stevie Wonder, then to James Brown. Suffice it to say, I got no work done, but boy, did I work up a sweat. Hopefully I’ve lost a pound before I have my physical next week 😀
Isn’t music one of lifes greatest gifts! I’m having an Al Jarreau day today, he makes my heart sing, and my body is jumping.
EDP….I know, one song leads to another…..at least it’s not fattening.