I was curious after all the attention the Essence Festival was given over the weekend on MSNBC as to what Motown artists have performed there since it began. I must admit, I knew little if anything about the festival. So I googled the Essence Festival wiki and did a compilation of Motown artists that have performed there since 2001 through 2018 as reported by Wiki.

Here is what was stated:

Teena Marie - 3 times 2001, 2005, 2009
Isley Bros. featuring Ron Isley - 2 times 2002, 2007
Smokey Robinson - 1 time 2003
Stevie Wonder - 1 time 2003
Gladys Knight - 2 times 2004, 2010
Lionel Richie - 4 times 2005, 2007, 2009, 2014
Diana Ross - 1 time 2017

It appears from this tabulation that Lionel Richie must be a big drawing card.

I am totally perplexed why Martha Reeves did not appear as performing during this period.

Have any MF members ever attended this event in New Orleans and seen any of the above performers there?