RECAP: "Forever R&B" Concert feat Kelly Price, Dru Hill, Carl Thomas & Shirley Murdock!

Follow @MsSugarMIAMI!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

Just in case you missed it…

This weekend the Bank United Center was filled with the sweet melodic sounds of a genre of music that some have said is almost extinct – R&B. Miami concert-goers were treated to many classic hits made by such legendary artists as Kelly Price, Dru Hill and Shirley Murdock. Former heart-throb vocalist Carl Thomas was on the roster promising an impressive return for a bevy of fans anticipating a night of “Summer Rain” and “So Emotional” –  hits that secured his spot in R&B history but, he was a no-show.
 

 

Produced by J6 Entertainment (formerly known as GMASH), the event was co-hosted by radio personality Tamara G and comedian Larry Dogg. Larry Dogg, who (by the way) looked like a cross between the legendary Ronald Isley and the late great Ray Charles, and his band also served as the evening’s opening act. They did a phenomenal job! Larry and his band took us on a journey down memory lane singing hits from such notable groups as The Isleys,  Frankie Beverly & Maze, and more. Larry also had audience members nearly falling out of their seats from laughing so hard as he cracked jokes and picked on several in the crowd in between acts.
 

 

 

Shirley Murdock, who in the late 80’s peaked on the R&B top ten with the mega-hit “As We Lay,” slayed us all with soulful renditions of her memorable chart toppers, “Husband” and “Go on Without You.” But it was when the sound man couldn’t get his ish together that mutha’ really showed us that she is a “shole nuff sanga”. Murdock, not skipping a beat, belted out “I Still Love You” acapella with some in the audience serving as her impromtu background vocalist. Huntee the kidz went up! Well, at least I did. LOL!
 

 

 

 

Maryland-based 90’s male group Dru Hill performed next in the lineup. They, too, took us down memory lane singing all their greatest hits. And, aww man, because he had noticeably put on some pounds since I last saw Dru Hill perform, I just knew Jazz’s feet were never gonna leave the ground when the foursome sang their anthem, “Tell Me.” Needless to say, he shocked the buh-jesus out of me because not only did he do the [now famous] leaps throughout that song but, he served us pure energy all night long. Werk Jazz! <–[snaps in circular motion]

 

 

Powerhouse singer/songwriter Kelly Price and her fabulous background vocalists followed up and closed the out the show. Price treated us to songs like “Friend of Mine,” “Tired,” “You Should’ve Told Me,“ and more.

 

For those who didn’t know, Kelly Price scored an impromtu duet with Whitney Houston a few days before The Grammys in February of this year. In fact, the surprise appearance at Price’s pre-Grammy party would be Houston’s final performance. The two women sang a song about Jesus while Price called Houston a “class act.” Three days later, Whitney was gone. “Things people want to allude to are not what I saw,” Price told Rolling Stone shortly after Houston’s death, defending her friend against accusations of wild drug use. “There was no craziness going on, absolutely none of it.”

Not only did Kelly pay tribute to her dear friend Whitney at this event but, she took us home in style with yet another tribute and impromtu performance with the legendary Shirley Murdock, who was standing in the wing. The duo belted out “As We Lay,” the song originally made famous by Murdock and later re-recorded by Price, like no one else could. Although [if you listen to the lyrics] this is not a celebratory song but chiiile me and quite a few others were waving our hands and swaying back and forth as if we had written and recorded the song ourselves. Hmpf, you couldn’t tell me my name wasn’t Sugar PRICE, or Sugar MURDOCK that night! BOOM!!!

Huge shout out to J6 Entertainment and the fabulous folks over at Circle of One Marketing for all the hospitality they extended [to me]. You guys rock!