Post by ClassicSoul on Mar 17, 2006 23:25:49 GMT -5
LEGENDS IN CONCERT
Tribute features ex-Temptation
By Elaine Gaston
The Sun News
A tribute act featured in the current lineup at Legends In Concert is as close to the real Temptations as you can get, especially since it features a former member of the Motown group.
Nate Evans once sang alongside original Temptations Eddie Kendrick, David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards. Evans, 57, former lead singer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Impressions, now leads the Temptations tribute act accompanied by Curtis Taylor, Grady Herrell, Dennis Inman and Evans' son, Terrence Dawson.
"We've been very blessed," Evans said in a telephone interview from his temporary home in Myrtle Beach. "I had to find the right voices. It's very difficult to find guys not on drugs or egotistical and that get along with each other. Well, we've got some good cats."
Evans' tribute group has been performing in Las Vegas and at other venues across the country for years. Legends In Concert enlisted the group after hearing how talented they were, said Brian Brigner, regional vice president of Legends In Concert in Surfside Beach.
"We hadn't even heard a tape, but we heard how great they were," Brigner said. "We brought them in based on the word they were doing a great job. ... Audiences are getting the best of both: seeing a great Legends act but also seeing a piece of the real thing."
The Temptations tribute has been wowing audiences at Legends since Feb. 20 and will continue through June 3.
"Every single night they've been here, they've gotten a standing ovation," Brigner said. "They're undefeated on that."
Their streak continued on a recent Monday night when they once again brought audiences to their feet with impressive vocals and a well-choreographed performance, which included the famous Temptations walk.
Evans is humbled by the audiences' response but says he feels a little guilty.
"I think the other people put on a show that's just as good," he said. "We love it, but it makes you feel a little funny."
Evans believes the standing ovations are the audiences' way of thanking the group for a trip down Memory Lane.
"When you hear a Temptations song, you remember what you were doing at that time," Evans said. "It takes you back to a time, whether it was good, bad or indifferent. We like to go back to a more pleasant time."
It also likely has something to do with the what the group puts forth: masterful harmonies and fine-tuned choreography.
They sing several hits, including "Get Ready," "Just My Imagination" and "My Girl" and also make an appearance in the finale. Evans, the oldest and father of five, shows no signs of slowing down.
"When I feel like slowing down, I think about my house back in Vegas, the light bill and the pool, and then you get a better step," Evans said, laughing. "But really, I love it. This is what I do. I've been on stage since I was 14."
Evans attributes his success and stamina to living a good life, having never touched drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.
"I always thought those things could ruin your voice," he said. "God has blessed me. A lot of people think your life is measured by how much money you make, but it's really about the things you want to do in life and the things you get a chance to do. It's not about being rich. That's just an extra bonus."
LINK
Tribute features ex-Temptation
By Elaine Gaston
The Sun News
A tribute act featured in the current lineup at Legends In Concert is as close to the real Temptations as you can get, especially since it features a former member of the Motown group.
Nate Evans once sang alongside original Temptations Eddie Kendrick, David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards. Evans, 57, former lead singer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, The Impressions, now leads the Temptations tribute act accompanied by Curtis Taylor, Grady Herrell, Dennis Inman and Evans' son, Terrence Dawson.
"We've been very blessed," Evans said in a telephone interview from his temporary home in Myrtle Beach. "I had to find the right voices. It's very difficult to find guys not on drugs or egotistical and that get along with each other. Well, we've got some good cats."
Evans' tribute group has been performing in Las Vegas and at other venues across the country for years. Legends In Concert enlisted the group after hearing how talented they were, said Brian Brigner, regional vice president of Legends In Concert in Surfside Beach.
"We hadn't even heard a tape, but we heard how great they were," Brigner said. "We brought them in based on the word they were doing a great job. ... Audiences are getting the best of both: seeing a great Legends act but also seeing a piece of the real thing."
The Temptations tribute has been wowing audiences at Legends since Feb. 20 and will continue through June 3.
"Every single night they've been here, they've gotten a standing ovation," Brigner said. "They're undefeated on that."
Their streak continued on a recent Monday night when they once again brought audiences to their feet with impressive vocals and a well-choreographed performance, which included the famous Temptations walk.
Evans is humbled by the audiences' response but says he feels a little guilty.
"I think the other people put on a show that's just as good," he said. "We love it, but it makes you feel a little funny."
Evans believes the standing ovations are the audiences' way of thanking the group for a trip down Memory Lane.
"When you hear a Temptations song, you remember what you were doing at that time," Evans said. "It takes you back to a time, whether it was good, bad or indifferent. We like to go back to a more pleasant time."
It also likely has something to do with the what the group puts forth: masterful harmonies and fine-tuned choreography.
They sing several hits, including "Get Ready," "Just My Imagination" and "My Girl" and also make an appearance in the finale. Evans, the oldest and father of five, shows no signs of slowing down.
"When I feel like slowing down, I think about my house back in Vegas, the light bill and the pool, and then you get a better step," Evans said, laughing. "But really, I love it. This is what I do. I've been on stage since I was 14."
Evans attributes his success and stamina to living a good life, having never touched drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.
"I always thought those things could ruin your voice," he said. "God has blessed me. A lot of people think your life is measured by how much money you make, but it's really about the things you want to do in life and the things you get a chance to do. It's not about being rich. That's just an extra bonus."
LINK
