FROM NASHVILLE TO DETROIT

The Majestic Theatre, where I got to take a musical journey this weekend
from Nashville to Detroit...without ever leaving San Antonio.

I began my weekend with the Queen of Country Music and ended it with the Kings of Motown.

On Friday, I got to see the Coal Miner’s Daughter herself, Loretta Lynn. Dressed in one of her signature glittery, over-the-top gowns, the 81-year-old’s voice still rang clear and true.

Loretta Lynn, the Queen of Country Music.

I lost track of how many times people yelled out: “I love you, Loretta!” But each time, she answered back and sounded so sincere.

“I love you, too, honey.”

Aw, shucks, Loretta … next time, stay a little longer. The show began at 8 and by 9:20 we were on our way out the door. Subtract about 30 minutes for several songs by her son, Ernest Ray, and twin daughters, Patsy and Peggy, and that didn’t leave near enough time for Loretta. Of course, if she sang every song everyone wanted to hear, we may have been there long past midnight.

But Friday was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to nostalgia. Sunday was when it got real. Sunday, I was on my feet and dancing and singing at the top of my lungs. Sunday, I could have been back in grade school, listening to 45s in my best friend’s basement.

Sugar pie, honey bunch, I’m talking about the Four Tops and the Temptations.

The Four Tops, with original member Abdul "Duke" Fakir at right.

And while each group only has one original member left, it took nothing away from the experience. The dance moves, the matching outfits, the high falsetto and the low, low bass … it was all still there.

To hear their stories of Motown’s glory years, to realize the impact they had on American music, to remember all the good times I’ve associated with their songs … well, it just doesn’t get any better that, especially when each group performed for 70 minutes.

Original Temptation Otis Williams, left, with bandmate Ron Tyson.

This weekend, I witnessed several kings and a queen, while much of America saw the jokers on the MTV VMAs. In another 40 years, we will still be singing “Fist City,” “Standing in the Shadow of Love” and “My Girl.”

And we will not be twerking.