Diana Ross live at Harrah's, Tunica

[Kamasu_Jr]

Diana Ross was in fine voice Friday night as she dazzled fans with a fast paced concert at Harrah's Events Center in Robinsonville, Ms.
Diana performed for close to 90 minutes and sang all of the expected songs like Stop in the Name of Love, Love Child, the Boss and Upside Down. There were at least four costume changes and Ross' energy remained high throughout even though she later told my parents and others that she spoke with briefly after the show that she was feeling a bit under the weather and was tired.
The show was attended by mostly older folks but there were a few young people in the audience.
I was amused at the number of grey -haired seniors in the crowd dancing and hooting and hollering like they were years younger. One woman actually said: "I can die happy because I've seen the legend."
A highlight for me was Love Hangover which sequed into Ease On Down the Road with Diana's backup singers getting the audience involved with chants of "Get Em Up, Put Em Down. "
I gotta thank the employees at Harrah's Casino and Diana Ross for making sure my uncle, who is a longtime fan, had a nice time. He's battling health issues and rarely has fun evenings out. I knew he wanted to attend Diana's concert, but had missed her twice before because he was either recuperating or hospitalized. He uses a walker but wasn't sure how he'd be feeling and he didn't want to get in anybody's way or slow us down.
But this time though, I decided he wasn't going to miss her again. I spent most of Friday trying to find one ticket, which ranged from $50 to $89.00, but was told by Ticketmaster and others that there weren't any good seats left. My dad called Diana's road manager at the casino and got him. He told him about Unc. The guy said he'd see what he could do, but he had to check with Diana, who had not arrived yet and he'd call us back. It was close to showtime and we hadn't heard anything. Unc said it was OK and that we go ahead and have a good time. I told Unc he was going anyway - even if I had to buy a ticket from a scalper.
I didn't have to, at the casino we were pulled out of line and escorted into the arena by a Harrah's security guard who said he'd been told to look for us. He told my uncle. my wife and I to follow him, we were led into the arena and down front close to center stage and an extra seat was put in place for my uncle. We tried to thank the guy but he wouldn't hear it. But he told us: "Ms. ROSS said to enjoy the show. " Unc was stunned because he didn't expect it and he began to weep , which he doesn't do. Harrah's doesn't give away anything unless you are a big spender or belong to its membership clubs, but he was treated wonderfully. My wife and I went to our seats nearby, leaving Unc whose face was brighter than I'd seen it in a long time. During Reach Out and Touch, Diana came to the front of the stage and sang directly to Unc. I couldn't see his face but I knew he was smiling. Afther the show, Unc wanted to spend $25.00 on a tour book, the woman working that table wouldn't take his money and gave him the booklet.

[Roberta75]

Diana Ross was in fine voice Friday night as she dazzled fans with a fast paced concert at Harrah's Events Center in Robinsonville, Ms.
Diana performed for close to 90 minutes and sang all of the expected songs like Stop in the Name of Love, Love Child, the Boss and Upside Down. There were at least four costume changes and Ross' energy remained high throughout even though she later told my parents and others that she spoke with briefly after the show that she was feeling a bit under the weather and was tired.
The show was attended by mostly older folks but there were a few young people in the audience.
I was amused at the number of grey -haired seniors in the crowd dancing and hooting and hollering like they were years younger. One woman actually said: "I can die happy because I've seen the legend."
A highlight for me was Love Hangover which sequed into Ease On Down the Road with Diana's backup singers getting the audience involved with chants of "Get Em Up, Put Em Down. "
I gotta thank the employees at Harrah's Casino and Diana Ross for making sure my uncle, who is a longtime fan, had a nice time. He's battling health issues and rarely has fun evenings out. I knew he wanted to attend Diana's concert, but had missed her twice before because he was either recuperating or hospitalized. He uses a walker but wasn't sure how he'd be feeling and he didn't want to get in anybody's way or slow us down.
But this time though, I decided he wasn't going to miss her again. I spent most of Friday trying to find one ticket, which ranged from $50 to $89.00, but was told by Ticketmaster and others that there weren't any good seats left. My dad called Diana's road manager at the casino and got him. He told him about Unc. The guy said he'd see what he could do, but he had to check with Diana, who had not arrived yet and he'd call us back. It was close to showtime and we hadn't heard anything. Unc said it was OK and that we go ahead and have a good time. I told Unc he was going anyway - even if I had to buy a ticket from a scalper.
I didn't have to, at the casino we were pulled out of line and escorted into the arena by a Harrah's security guard who said he'd been told to look for us. He told my uncle. my wife and I to follow him, we were led into the arena and down front close to center stage and an extra seat was put in place for my uncle. We tried to thank the guy but he wouldn't hear it. But he told us: "Ms. ROSS said to enjoy the show. " Unc was stunned because he didn't expect it and he began to weep , which he doesn't do. Harrah's doesn't give away anything unless you are a big spender or belong to its membership clubs, but he was treated wonderfully. My wife and I went to our seats nearby, leaving Unc whose face was brighter than I'd seen it in a long time. During Reach Out and Touch, Diana came to the front of the stage and sang directly to Unc. I couldn't see his face but I knew he was smiling. Afther the show, Unc wanted to spend $25.00 on a tour book, the woman working that table wouldn't take his money and gave him the booklet.

Thats a lovely story kamasu and real nice and kind of Diane Ross to make sure your uncle had a real good seat and a real memorable night. Thank you for sharing.

Roberta

[Kamasu_Jr]

Dad did tell Diana's people and Harrah's that my Uncle has seen Diana Ross many times over the years and that this might be his last time to see her. I was mortified he did that, and I hope not. My uncle was not the only one there on a walker, some people had canes, hoverrounds, wheelchairs. I noticed many of these people left the arena smiling, singing and happy. I guess that's the magic Diana's music has over some people. But it was the fact that my uncle was treated special at a time when his spirits needed boosting.

[MotownLover]

Wow...what a heart-touching story, Kamasu! Thanks for sharing this with us.

[skooldem1]

Kamasu that is a great story. I am so so glad that your uncle enjoyed the concert. The act of kindness is a wonderful thing.

[R. Mark Desjardins]

This kind of kindness is called "paying it forward." This put a smile on my face and goes to prove that Diana Ross has good energy. Thank you so much for passing this on.

[Kamasu_Jr]

Ironically, She kept talking about positive energy and moving it around the room throughout the show, She also told my dancing mother that she looked good from the stage. "I see you out there doing it, girl," she said at one point. Does anyone know who her background singers are on this tour?

[supremester]

What a lovely story! So many of us have heartwarming memories of Miss Ross. How cool that he got a free tour program as well. I love your description of the audience as it varies so much from place to place. Age, race, gender is all over the map with her. It was wonderful of her to make his night special - he must be special!

[REDHOT]

Nice story Kamasu.

[David J]

Really nice story Kamasu, thanks for sharing it with us


Diana Ross dazzles at Chastain.

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Diana Ross performed a string of hits, including "Stop In The Name of Love" the "Theme from "Mahogany," Saturday at Chastain Park Amphitheatre Saturday.

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Diana Ross performed a string of hits at Chastain Park Amphitheatre Saturday


September 6, 2013


By Tracy Brown
At almost 8 p.m. on the dot, Diana Ross made an entrance befitting of America’s favorite diva. Never mind that it was 80-plus degrees Saturday night outside the Chastain Park Amphitheater, somehow the long platinum sequin dress with white boa jacket seemed more than appropriate amid the thousands of fans sporting shorts and tank tops and hovering over their picnic baskets.
Any artist – diva or not – should be lucky enough to have an ace in their pocket like the 1980s “I’m Coming Out,” with which to greet delirious fans as Ross has done for many years. And as the crowd danced and flailed in the aisles like gleeful school children, the 69-year-old Ross seemed to let the song have its way, albeit with a big dose of grace.
In less than a half hour, the former Supreme worked her way through “Yesterday,” “Without You,” “Baby Love,” Stop in the Name of Love,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Touch Me in the Morning,” and “Love Child.”
If you’re counting, that’s eight songs before the first wardrobe change. But why worry about fancy dresses when you’re busy taking a journey back through the best of Motown? One nearby fan proudly embraced his uncontainable obnoxious behavior during “Stop in the Name of Love.”
Minutes later, as the band and backup singers finished off a Latin-infused “Love Child,” Lady Di changed into a form-fitting blue dress with flowing sleeves before she took charge of the stage again with “The Boss,” a song that put her back on the charts in a collaboration with R&B’s super husband-wife duo Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson.
But it was with Ross’ No. 1 disco hit “Upside Down,” that the band turned into a jam session, and allowed the sensuous Ross to show she still has some sassy moves. For certain, her voice isn’t as strong or as smooth as it used to be, but Ross can still hold her own. Without a doubt, her voice is still nice enough to please fans and give them a memorable, well-spent evening with fan favorites from the playful “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” to the where-is Billy-D.-Williams “Theme From Mahogany.”
But hardly any song rouses a crowd as the infectious anthem “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” the remake of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s 1960s hit [[also written by Ashford and Simpson). Wearing a beautiful, shimmering orange gown, Ross seemed to cast a spell on the crowd, who hung onto it’s every word in a mass sing-along.
Just as “I'm Coming Out” has been become Ross’ opener, Gloria Gaynor's “I Will Survive" has become her empowering closer. Because there was no opening act, and Ross started on time, it seemed hard for fans to grasp that the show was over – particularly since it wasn’t yet 9:30. After much coaxing, Ross and band came back on stage to sing to close with another anthem,"Reach Out and Touch Someone's Hand." The crowd grasped hands, swayed and sang along, then cheered when Ross and the band left the stage singing a little more of "I Will Survive

[Kamasu_Jr]

Since Atlanta is about 6 hours away; It was the same show she did in Memphis. My uncle is still on a high. It was a simple thing but they don't know how much good they did.

[theboyfromxtown]

Kamasu

That was a real feelgood story. Thank you for sharing.

[captainjames]

That is funny Xtown I was just typing the same thing

[rrussi]

I think that's a very special story, kamasu, and I thank u for sharing. When I saw her Tues. night of last week in Orlando, she did two encores in the orange gown posted above for I will Survive. Surprisingly, she came back AGAIN, this time in her very casual attire, and did Reach Out & Touch. She also signed items people handed her such as The Supremes A-Go-Go lp.

[jobeterob]

Very nice to read. We need more happy people in the world, more happy stories on SD.

[cdave2]

Very nice to read. We need more happy people in the world, more happy stories on SD.

Indeed. Lovely story, Kamasu. I'm delighted for you and your uncle.

[marybrewster]

I was amused at the number of grey -haired seniors in the crowd dancing and hooting and hollering like they were years younger.

Hi kamasu; do you recall seeing or heearing these seniors getting yelled at for dancing?

[Kamasu_Jr]

I was amused at the number of grey -haired seniors in the crowd dancing and hooting and hollering like they were years younger.

Hi kamasu; do you recall seeing or heearing these seniors getting yelled at for dancing?

Not in Tunica. Diana encouraged people to get up and move. There was this one chubby guy, who looked to be in his late 50s, who brought his mother, who was on a cane and about 90. He had no rhythm but was thrashing about off the beat and having himself a good time. He forgot about his mama. I wanted to tell him to sit down because he was an awful dancer and a distracting.