Sun was streaming through the atrium windows at Hitsville Next one recent weekday as local singers put the final touches on their bids for Motown glory.
The latest edition of the Motown Museum’s “Amplify: The Sound of Detroit” competition will culminate Saturday night at Music Hall, the most high-profile finale yet for the 6-year-old program.
Ten contestants — metro Detroit residents ranging in age from 16 to 39 — will put their creative imprints on handpicked songs from Motown’s classic catalog, vying for $9,000 in cash prizes along with recording-studio sessions and future live-performance opportunities.
The show, open to the public, will include a panel of music-industry judges, including Detroit gospel star Kierra Sheard, artist manager Toya Hankins and Spotify co-founder Justin Norman. They’ll select three winners, with one to be crowned the 2024 Amplify Artist of the Year.
Previous “Amplify” finals have been staged at venues such as the Gem Theatre and Cliff Bell’s, making this year’s show at the 1,700-seat Music Hall the biggest yet. The event is among the growing body of programs under the Hitsville Next umbrella, launched as part of the Motown Museum’s ongoing $65 million expansion.
While “Amplify” is certainly rooted in competition, there’s a genuine camaraderie and sense of community among the participants, who have spent three months together in an intense series of coaching sessions and rehearsals.
“Your gift is enough. Your talent is enough,” program director Tristan Fisher told the group as Wednesday afternoon’s session wrapped up. “That’s what got you here.”
No matter how Saturday night’s results play out, Fisher reassured the singers, each of them is already a winner — and a permanent part of the Hitsville Next family.
“This is a new home for you guys,” he told them.
That sense of continuity will be on display at Music Hall, where the 2023 “Amplify” first-place finisher, Detroit’s Drey Skonie, will perform his original song “Better Days.” Skonie’s music career has been bustling since his win last March and has included a trip with museum staff to Los Angeles for two days of meetings with Universal Music executives.
“It was priceless information,” Fisher said. “They got to sit and get answers to questions you wouldn’t get without a major-label deal.”
Launched in 2019, “Amplify” set out to recreate the spirit of the Motown process born 65 years ago next door at Hitsville, U.S.A.: Artist development is the driving theme, and since the 10 contestants were selected during December live auditions, they’ve run through the paces of vocal coaching, performance training, styling, photo shoots, even etiquette.
“It’s all the things Motown was known for,” said Fisher. “We’re just applying that to new talent.”
On Wednesday, singers rehearsed what will be the lively opening number at Saturday’s show — an introduction accompanied by the Temptations’ “Get Ready” as performed by several “Amplify” alumni.
The instructions from Fisher, a Detroit native and professional actor-choreographer, were precise and efficient: “Chins up!” he hollered over the music. “Put power in your fingers!” It will be crucial on Saturday night, he reminded them, not to “get swallowed by the big stage.”
Several contestants ran through final drills on their individual performances, singing to tailored instrumental tracks recorded by veteran Detroit musician Kern Brantley, who will lead Saturday’s live seven-piece band.
The singers’ selections include Motown chart-toppers and deeper cuts — from Kodie Chandler doing “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) to De’Mi Alyse Jones’ “Out on a Limb” (Teena Marie) and Chase Alan’s “Ain’t That Peculiar” (Marvin Gaye).
For Chandler, a 16-year-old Detroit School of Arts student who is also a member of the acclaimed Detroit Youth Choir, the “Amplify” experience has been fruitful. The three-month process has helped him sharpen individual performance traits and “pay attention to every aspect” of working as an artist, he said.
And as a native Detroiter, he draws pride from being associated with the Motown brand.
“I love my city. What Motown built 65 years ago, and the legacy they left here, is so amazing,” Chandler said. “This has made my heart so happy.”
Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.
‘Amplify: The Sound of Detroit’
6 p.m. Sat.
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts
350 Madison, Detroit
$20 advance (online at eventbrite.com), $25 at the door
Contestant lineup:
Chase Alan, 20, Southfield
De’Mi Alyse, 28, Detroit
Amis, 39, Detroit
Kodie Chandler, 16, Detroit
Gina, 38, Livonia
Laronzo, 26, Detroit
Mara, 30, Hamtramck
JC Simmons, 35, Ypsilanti
Jasmine Terrell, 25, Detroit
Y’La, 27, Detroit
