Shanice, Gay Men’s Chorus put Motown spin on traditions – Pasadena Weekly
Christmas makes R&B/pop singer Shanice Wilson-Knox smile, and she said she’s definitely excited about her collaborative concert with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.
Kicking off the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles season, “A Motown Holiday” hits the stage on Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18, at Glendale’s Alex Theatre.
“This is my first time I’ve ever been to any of their events,” she said. “I’ve heard nothing but great things, that their music is beautiful. We’re going to have a great time.”
They will sing Christmas songs and Wilson-Knox will perform her 1993 Grammy-nominated hit “I Love Your Smile.” Ironically, at first, she didn’t think the song was right as a first single.
“I thought it was a great song,” she said. “I just didn’t think it was right for the first single. I was at Motown Records crying, saying, ‘It’s not the right song. It’s not the right single.’ Of course, they didn’t listen to me — and it went up the charts overnight.
Wilson-Knox wanted to release “Silent Prayer,” a duet with Johnny Gill.
“At the time, the Persian Gulf War was going on and I felt like we needed prayer right then,” she recalled.
She said she certainly doesn’t regret any of it. She’s incredibly proud of “I Love Your Smile,” which is sampled in Chris Brown’s song “Undecided.” That introduced the track to a “whole new generation.”
“My kids are listening to ‘I Love Your Smile,’” she said. “I didn’t expect any of this. I’m so grateful and so thankful that the label didn’t listen to me.”
“A Motown Holiday” is a massive choral tribute to Motown’s beloved hits and holiday music. The chorus will sing and dance the season’s greatest from the greats of Motown and beyond: The Temptations, The Supremes, The Ronettes, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Jackson 5, The Weather Girls, Martha and the Vandellas.
“A Motown Holiday” also features The Motown Quartet, including Thomas Hobson (Nickelodeon’s “That Girl Lay Lay,” La Mirada’s Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Ob vation Award), Stu James (Kirk Douglas Theatre’s Recorded in Hollywood, Hulu’s “Good Trouble”), Frank Lawson (Las Vegas’ “Marilyn! The New Musical,” The Hollywood Bowl’s “Mamma Mia!”) and Dedrick Bonner (vocalist to artists such as Beyoncé, BTS, Dolly Parton and Kanye West, among others).
“Over the years, GMCLA’s holiday concerts have become a beloved tradition in the Los Angeles area because of this chorus’ signature blend of verve and first-rate talent,” said Lou Spisto, chorus executive director and producer.
“This year we’re bringing the original Motown arrangements to holiday classics, pop hits that were made famous, plus a host of special surprises with ‘A Motown Holiday.’ So far, the response has been fantastic — we’re selling so well, and we’re thrilled. Adding the incredible Shanice, whom we just adore, and our Motown Quartet will add even more music, variety and great singing to the production.”
This has been a busy year for Wilson-Knox. On November 12, she hit the stage with Charlie Wilson, Keith Sweat, Jodeci and Teddy Riley for RnB Rewind at the Toyota Arena – Ontario.
She played Michelle Obama to TJ Wilkins’ Barack Obama in the musical “44: The Unofficial, Unsanctioned Obama Musical” at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood.
“TJ Wilkins is my cousin through marriage,” she said. “It was an honor to play Michelle Obama, though. When they called me, I was done. I was so excited. I couldn’t believe my name and Michelle Obama were within the same conversation.
“There was a lot of comedy in it. It makes you want to cry and laugh. It was really nice. The music was beautiful. I was telling her story through songs. I didn’t try to imitate her or anything.”
Now, the former Pasadena resident may release a Christmas single before the holiday. She’s been in the studio working on new music and she acted in the Hallmark film “To Her with Love.” Wilson-Knox calls her new music more mature.
“I’m married with two kids now,” she adds. “When I came out with ‘I Love Your Smile,’ I was a teenager. Now I’m a grown woman and I’ve experienced things in my life just growing up and having a family and children.
“I have more to talk about now — about being a wife and mother. I also like to write songs that will empower women. I love to speak to women and encourage them not to give up and to believe in themselves. It’s so needed — especially with the world today. There’s so much hate and sadness going on in the world. I like to do music that would uplift people’s spirits.”
“A Motown Holiday” with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and Shanice Wilson-Knox
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
WHERE: Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Boulevard, Glendale
COST: Tickets start at $29
INFO: gmcla.org, alextheatre.org