--- title: "The 19th Annual Motor City Blues Festival" description: "The Motor City Blues Festival brings Southern Soul and Blues to Fox Theatre with King George, Tucka, Sir Charles Jones, Pokey Bear, Cecily Wilborn, and Melvia “Chick” Rodgers." canonical: "https://www.313presents.com/news/detail/motor-city-blues-festival-detroit-tour-2027" dateModified: "2026-11-09T10:19:40-05:00" type: "event" --- ![](https://www.313presents.com/assets/img/Motor-City-Blues-Festival-2027_1200x605-6d6ccb8804.jpg) # The 19th annual Motor City Blues Festival featuring King George, Tucka, Sir Charles Jones, Pokey Bear, Cecily Wilborn, and Melvia “Chick” Rodgers comes to Fox Theatre on Friday, February 12 09 Nov / 2026 Tickets Go On Sale Friday, November 13 at 10 a.m. **(DETROIT – November 9, 2026) –** The 19th Annual Motor City Blues Festival is back, bringing Southern Soul and Blues at its finest to one of Detroit’s most iconic stages. Part of the popular “Blues Is Alright Tour,” this show comes to Fox Theatre on Friday, February 12 at 8 p.m. Rooted in the juke joints of the South and polished with the smooth sounds of modern R&B, today’s Southern Soul is all about real-life stories, good-time grooves, and songs that keep the dance floor moving from the first note to the last. Fans can expect a night of two-stepping, sing-alongs, and soul-stirring performances from King George, Tucka, Sir Charles Jones, Pokey Bear, Cecily Wilborn, and Melvia “Chick” Rodgers. Fifth Third Bank is the exclusive presenting partner of the Fox Theatre. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 13 at 10 a.m. at [313Presents.com](https://www.313presents.com) and [Ticketmaster.com](https://www.ticketmaster.com). **About King George** Bursting onto the Southern Soul scene with his signature party-centric sound filled with R&B flair, King George has quickly become a fan favorite. Based out of Hopkins, SC, King George launched onto the music scene via YouTube in 2020 and rose quickly to headliner status on The Blues Is Alright Tour. His album *Juke Joint Music* was released in 2022, and his collaboration with Cecily Wilborn, “Side By Side,” earned Best Out-Of-Left-Field Song at the 2025 Southern Soul Music Awards. For old-school music lovers, King George’s music is the perfect combination of R&B, soul, and funk that is sure to get anyone to do a little two-step. With his rich tone and satin-smooth vocals, his songs “Keep on Rollin’,” “Too Long,” “Friday Night,” and “Leave & Party” are his top hits. There can only be one king: King George. For more information on King George, visit [www.803kinggeorge.com](https://www.803kinggeorge.com) and follow @King George on Facebook and [@803kinggeorge](https://www.instagram.com/803kinggeorge) on Instagram. **About Tucka** Hailing from South Louisiana, Tucka is known to fans as the “King of Swing,” the man behind the smooth, two-stepping “swing out” sound that has made him one of Southern Soul’s most in-demand performers. He got his start performing with Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band before stepping out on his own with the regional favorite “Young Man.” Drawing on the romance of classic R&B and soul greats like Sam Cooke and Barry White, Tucka blends old-school charm with a Louisiana groove all his own. His solo debut, *Love Rehab* (2009), kicked off a steady run of releases including *Forever Swing*, *Groove City*, *Long Live The King*, *Working With A Feeling*, and *The Man Your Guy Loves To Hate* (2023), packed with fan favorites like “Sex On My Mind,” “Swing Therapy,” and “Candy Land.” When Tucka hits the stage, the dance floor fills up, and that’s the swing out. **About Sir Charles Jones** Known as the “Undisputed King of Southern Soul,” Sir Charles Jones has been one of the genre’s defining voices for more than two decades. Born in Akron, Ohio, and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Jones began his singing career in Birmingham under the guidance of the late Southern Soul great Marvin Sease. His breakout album, *Love Machine* (2001), spent 57 weeks on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, powered by the heartfelt ballad “Is There Anybody Lonely?” Jones went on to be named International Entertainer of the Year by the American Blues Network four years running (2001-2004), earned the network’s Album of the Year honors in 2002 and 2003, and received the B.B. King Achievement Award in 2003 and 2004. Follow-up releases including *Thank You for Holding On* and *My Story* cemented his place as a Southern Soul icon, and his smooth, emotional delivery continues to pack venues across the country. **About Pokey Bear** Wardell “Pokey Bear” Brown was born on February 2, 1970 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is known for his soulful sound of music in the Blues/Southern Soul genre; however, he did not start out that way. Pokey Bear began his career as a rap music artist, but after doing it for a while decided to try other styles. His venture off into other styles of music would lead him to be the soulful singer that he is today. He was first recognized in music for his first two projects produced by Beat Flippa. Particularly his songs entitled “They Call me Pokey” and “Side Piece.” The song “Side Piece” happened as a result of a hook that was written by Heavy in which he asked Pokey to write lyrics to. He has worked with artists such as Tyree Neal, Adrian Bagher, Ms. Pat, Veronica Raelle, and Cupid. For more information on Pokey Bear, follow @Big Pokey Bear-JSP on Facebook and [@bigpokeybearjsp](https://www.instagram.com/bigpokeybearjsp) on Instagram. **About Cecily Wilborn** Raised in Marianna, Arkansas, near West Memphis, Cecily Wilborn grew up surrounded by music as the daughter of a preacher who sang in a gospel quartet. She began writing songs at a young age, won singing competitions, and studied music production before becoming one of the brightest new voices in Southern Soul. Blending gospel, blues, R&B, soul, and country, Cecily helped spark a country-influenced wave in the genre with her breakout anthem “Southern Man,” whose remix with West Love won Best Collaboration at the 2023 Southern Soul Music Awards. She followed with “Red Cup Blues,” which earned her Best Southern Soul Female Vocalist in 2024, and the album *Kuntry Girl Playlist*, a first-of-its-kind Southern Soul and country hybrid. In 2025, her duet with King George, “Side By Side,” took home Best Out-Of-Left-Field Song, and her 17-track album *Soul Therapy* arrived in 2026. For more information on Cecily Wilborn, visit [www.cecilywilborn.com](https://www.cecilywilborn.com) and follow [@CecilyWilborn](https://www.facebook.com/CecilyWilborn) on Facebook and [@cecilywilborn](https://www.instagram.com/cecilywilborn) on Instagram. **About Melvia “Chick” Rodgers** A Memphis native with a powerhouse voice rooted in blues, deep soul, and gospel, Melvia “Chick” Rodgers has been thrilling audiences for more than three decades. Her big break came in 1988, when she was pulled onstage at a Patti LaBelle concert in Memphis and brought the house down with “Lady Marmalade,” a moment that quickly led to regular gigs around town. She later became a club fixture in Chicago and performed at the Chicago Blues Festival before returning home to Memphis, where she has become a leading figure on the Southern Soul and blues circuit. Known for show-stopping interpretations of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Aretha Franklin’s “Dr. Feelgood,” Chick’s releases include the live album *An Evening With Southside Blues Revue*, the EP *This Kind of Love*, and the 2024 single “Get Gone.” Follow [@melviarodgers](https://www.facebook.com/melviarodgers) on Facebook. [![More Info for The 19th Annual Motor City Blues Festival](https://www.313presents.com/assets/img/Motor-City-Blues-Festival-2027_600x600-5e0ed0de31.jpg)](https://www.313presents.com/events/detail/motor-city-blues-festival) ##### Fox Theatre ##### Event Starts 8:00 PM [The 19th Annual Motor City Blues Festival](https://www.313presents.com/events/detail/motor-city-blues-festival) "Blues Is Alright Tour" featuring King George, Tucka, Sir Charles Jones, Pokey Bear, Cecily Wilborn, and Melvia “Chick” Rodgers Feb 12 / 2027 @ 8:00 PM ##### Fox Theatre ##### Event Starts 8:00 PM [The 19th Annual Motor City Blues Festival](https://www.313presents.com/events/detail/motor-city-blues-festival) "Blues Is Alright Tour" featuring King George, Tucka, Sir Charles Jones, Pokey Bear, Cecily Wilborn, and Melvia “Chick” Rodgers Feb 12 / 2027 @ 8:00 PM [On Sale Soon](https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/08006562982E309F?camefrom=CFC_313PRE_313web_motorcitybluesfest&utm_source=313p&utm_medium=web_&utm_campaign=motorcitybluesfest)