Motor City Music Cartel

The MC2 “Show and Revue” is just like the old days with singers, dancers, comedy, the original Motown style costumes and all of the wonderful Motown music from “back in the day” -- before 1980 when Motown Records left Detroit Michigan. The Cartel was founded in 1994 at Bert’s Marketplace in Detroit’s Eastern Market area, but the idea had been simmering in my mind for many years… I started playing drums as a boy and showed enough promise at Miller Junior High (in Detroit) to get a job as a ‘Go-fer” at the Motown Studio where I worked with the great drummers like Richard ‘Pistol’ Allen and Uriel Jones. I count both Earl Van Dyke and Robert White as musical mentors and can say that Earl Van Dyke of the Funk Brothers got me my first recording sessions. Detroit sax legend Ernie Rodgers was my true mentor. He was my band director at both Miller and at Detroit’s Northwestern High school and he was the one that got me the job at Motown due to his connections as a Motown staff musician. As a free Lance Drummer, I have had the opportunity to back numerous great artists through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Aside from spending 13 years with Mary Wilson and the New Supremes, I have performed with such great as Johnny Adams, O.C. Smith, Anita Baker, Martha & the Vandellas, the Contours, Grady Tate, Chuck Jackson, Richard Street (of the Temptations), Wayne Cramer (MC5) & Lymon Woodard. Also, I have backed comedians George Burns, Bill Cosby and Howie Mandel. On the gospel side, I have worked with the late Reverend James Moore, Shirley Caesar and the famous Clark Sisters. I did a stint with the Sun Messengers and with the Sun Sounds Orchestra. Also, I have performed with the DSO under the direction of James Frasier, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. Recently I have backed blues poet John Sinclair and toured with bluesman Chef Chris. I have even subbed with the Miracles and the Jacksons! All of that wonderful experience went into the foundation of the Motor City Music Cartel. All of my life I have wanted to ‘do it right’ – like the old days. The MC2 is a culmination of my experiences and travels and this is where it all pays off. I have surrounded myself with singers and musicians with similar experience with Motown music to bring to you the real thing in terms of Detroit Soul and R&B.

The Motor City Music Cartel is ready to bring back the true sound of Detroit!

Jerome Spearman, Motor City Music Cartel