The MPLS Women Of Motown

CONTACT:

For booking and media inquiries:

📧 greatsgone2soon.com

📞 (612) 805-9959

📍 Follow @MPLSWomenOfMotown on Instagram & Facebook

ABOUT:

A Celebration of Soul, Sisterhood, and Timeless Sound

Get ready to dance, reminisce, and feel the rhythm of an era that changed music forever! The MPLS Women of Motown is a dazzling live stage experience honoring the legendary women whose voices shaped generations — brought to life by four of Minnesota’s most dynamic vocalists: Kiana Mayes, Kathleen Johnson, Kayla Johnson, and Courtnie Johnson.

From the spirited harmonies of The Marvelettes and The Velvelettes, to the fierce fire of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, and the timeless grace of Diana Ross & The Supremes, this show brings the golden age of Motown to the modern stage with energy, class, and soul.

Audiences will groove to the hits of Mary Wells, Gladys Knight, Tammi Terrell, and Teena Marie, and journey forward into the era of neo-soul with the smooth sounds inspired by Erykah Badu and beyond. Backed by a powerhouse live band, tight choreography, and rich vocal arrangements, The MPLS Women of Motown captures the heart of Detroit’s legacy — infused with Minneapolis flavor.

“This show is more than a concert — it’s a tribute to the women who made soul music eternal,” says producer and music director Kirk Johnson. “These incredible vocalists bring their own story, style, and power to every note. It’s a night of music, memories, and magic.”

From “Heat Wave” to “Stop! In the Name of Love,” from “My Guy” to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” every song is a reminder of the strength, passion, and influence of the women who sang their way into history — and the new generation keeping their voices alive.

🎶 The MPLS Women of Motown — where the legacy lives on, the soul stays strong, and the ladies still rule the stage. 🎶

Kathleen Johnson: KATHLEEN JOHNSON of “Musicians4Musicians” and The Greats gone2soon Live music series is A MPLS staple with deep historic roots. She is a “BKS” who continues Raisingthebar of excellence with her support and “Mentorship” of many local artists in town. She has her routes in The History of working with artists such as…with many staples that have come before, during, and after her…such as..PRINCE, ALEXANDER ONEAL, STOKELY, JELLY BEAN JOHNSON, ESTAIRE GODINEZ, THE PETERSONS, ROBERT ROBINSON, LORI LINE, BILLY MCLAUGHLIN, KERI NOBLE, and many of the most sought after corporate bands and projects.

She has helped to support, launch, MD, Co-produce, Vocal direct , book, launch and promote many local artists, and their projects and productions. She performs on rotation locally and across the sea such as…ARNELLIA’S,, THE DAKOTA, THE CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATER, CROONERS, THE MN STATE FAIR, BUNKERS, THE MN MUSIC CAFÉ and more!

Kathleen is past and present a featured lead and backing vocalist for…Mid- America Talent, “The Mystery of ETTA JAMES”, “The Spirit of Whitney” ,”ARETHA and her Men”, “Love TKO tribute to Teddy Pendergrass”, and “The Soul tight Committee”.

Kiana Mayes: Kiana Marie is a singer/songwriter who coproduces her projects through her company Songstress Productions. An alumna of MacPhail Center for Music, she is a frontline vocalist for Univer-soul, Musicians4Musicians, and Raising the Bar-An Artist's Loft. Some of her proudest accomplishments include writing a song featuring Grammy nominee Stokley Williams of Mint Condition and appearing on Beyoncé's I Am World Tour DVD doing the "Single Ladies" dance. Marie's mentor, vocalist Kathleen Johnson, describes her as having a sound of her own, with strong undertones of a young Beyoncé and a young yet seasoned Etta James.

Kayla Johnson: Kayla Johnson is a Minneapolis-born dancer, choreographer, whose passion for movement began at the age of three. She trained in jazz, tap, ballet, and hip hop at Art of Dance and Dance Arts Centre, and later honed her focus on contemporary and ballet at the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. Kayla went on to earn her BFA in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts in 2016.

Her performance credits include works by renowned choreographers such as Rosanna Gamson, Becca Lemme, Kira Blazek, Joan H. Padeo, and Kevin Williamson. She choreographed and performed for Prince’s Welcome 2 America album release and Celebration 2022 at Paisley Park, and also choreographed the stage production Men of Motown. Deeply passionate about accessibility in the arts, Kayla founded Live4Dance, a youth-focused program under Prince’s charity, Live4Love Charities, offering free classes led by professional dance instructors.

Today, Kayla continues to share her love of movement by teaching dance and Pilates, empowering students of all levels to explore confidence, creativity, and community through their bodies.

Courtnie Johnson: Courtnie Johnson is a Minneapolis-born and raised vocalist from a family of musicians. She has been featured in numerous shows across the Twin Cities, performing at venues such as Crooners Supper Club, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Umbra, and the Minnesota Music Café. Courtnie was also featured on WCCO Channel 4 News as part of Musicians4Musicians, as well as in productions including Luther Luvs Whitney, Classic Aretha, and more. As one of the original Minneapolis Women of Motown, she continues to honor the legacy of soul, R&B, and classic Motown while bringing her own unique voice and style to the stage.