That Motown Band is set to take the stage at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday, September 3rd at 8:00 p.m. They will be celebrating beloved Motown hits, along with the music of Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye.
The show will star Carla Cooke, daughter of the legendary Sam Cooke. Along with That Motown Band and special guest Garfield Fleming, the performance will also include Brian Owens performing as Marvin Gaye.
Carla Cooke spoke about the upcoming performance, how her father has inspired her over the years, and what she loves about playing with That Motown Band. She said that her father greatly influenced her relationship to music. “Growing up, I used to just sit back and listen to all of his music and his voice was so amazing. I wanted to sing just like him. I would practice and practice,” Carla noted.
She has kept her father’s spirit alive with every performance she gives but has also managed to cultivate her own unique sound and style over the years. She says her biggest influences aside from Sam Cooke were Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, and Roberta Flack. Carla also mentions that she is diverse in gospel, jazz, and soul styles. She said, “I had a lot of practice. I sang in the choir in church and gave concerts when I was younger, which prepared me for performing in front of an audience. I really prepared through church, and it helped me to become the artist I have.”
Carla is currently working on a new album that she’s excited about. She says, “This album has been a long time coming and I’m really trying to get it together so I can release it.” She also mentioned one of her favorite songs she’s written is on this album called “So in Love” and was a song that she wrote for her husband. Although she creates her own music, she mentioned she has so many favorites when it comes to her father’s songs. “He has so many songs that I love to do. ‘You Send Me’ is always the first song I do when I take my show on the road across the country,” Carla says.
Carla can’t wait to take the stage with That Motown Band on Saturday night. She says, “They are an excellent talent and a wonderful group of people to work with. I enjoy them so much each night on stage. It’s like a family and so much fun.”
This will be Carla’s first time performing at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, and she described how much she’s looking forward to the event. “I’m so excited because I’ve always wanted to visit that part of the state. I really hope they enjoy the show because it’s a great show.” Carla says that attendees can expect fast songs, slow songs, and the essential hits of Sam Cooke. “I’m going to sing the songs to the fullest and hope it brings back some memories for the crowd.”
She loves being able to perform and express herself through music, saying, “I feel good being on stage, especially performing my father’s music. I feel his spirit each time. I love seeing the reactions in the audience and how each song affects people differently and makes them feel different things.”
That Motown Band’s performance on Saturday is sure to be an unforgettable evening of music. Carla concluded by saying, “I’m just blessed to be able to go out and perform my father’s music for those willing to hear it.”
Get ready for an evening of nostalgia and moving performances by remarkable musicians in the heart of Westhampton Beach! To learn more about Carla Cooke, visit her at www.carlacooke.com. And to purchase tickets for the show with That Motown Band on Saturday visit www.whbpac.org.
