The Malemen have been delivering funk, R&B, soul and dance music for 35 years and they will drop a bag full of hits again Friday night. March 1, at Songbirds South when Motown comes to Station Street. They will be joined by The Power Players, a somewhat newer party band, but just as much fun.
The show gets underway at 9 p.m. and is held in conjunction with Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon weekend.
"The show will actually be inside Songbirds South," says Mike Dougher, Songbirds entertainment coordinator.
"We gave the show a bit more pizzazz because of the city hosting marathon weekend. With so many folks in from out of town, I wanted to present a show that anyone could enjoy. Who doesn't love the sounds of Motown and funk? The two best bands to accomplish that are The Malemen and The Power Players. You might hear Stevie Wonder one minute and Earth, Wind and Fire the next with a little 'Uptown Funk' thrown in."
Tracy Ingram started the Malemen when he was 20 years old. The band has undergone numerous personnel changes over the years he says, but are still going strong.
"We added three female singers up front and switched up the format a little bit," he says.
"We added horns; but through it all, we've always been a dance party. I think the versatility of the music that we play has given us the ability to still be here. We offer a little bit of everything. That, on top of having a genuine love of what you are doing. If you don't put your heart into, it won't last," he says.
The Malemen have shared the stage with the likes of The Gap Band, Bobby Womack, Parliament/Funkadelic, Betty Wright, Freddie Jackson, Boyz II Men, the late Junior Walker & the All Stars, Bobby "Blue" Bland, the Manhattans, Cameo, The Bar-Kays, Jeffrey Osborne, The Impressions and more, according to their bio.
The Power Players also feature a Chattanooga-based lineup, and play familiar funk, R&B and dance grooves.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.