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SXSW scene report: on-stage with Smokey Robinson
Emily Adame was pulled onstage by Smokey Robinson at the close of Friday night’s performance at the Austin Music Hall.
The stage wasn’t just for professional musicians during Smokey Robinson’s Friday night show at the Austin Music Hall. Two lucky fans got to climb on stage with the Motown legend after Robinson split the audience into two halves for a singing contest on closing song “Cruisin.’” He pulled up a woman from each half of the crowd to act as team captain and encourage their side to sing louder than the other.
One of those women was designer Emily Adame, who represented stage left. After the show concluded, Adame, who was raised on Motown albums, excitedly called her mom to recount the story.
Speaking after the concert, Adame, who gestured animatedly to drum up the audience, described her crowd-encouraging philosophy.
“It was all improv. I wanted my team to win and I really wanted to pep the crowd up and I didn’t want to be frightened about it so I just went for it,” said Adame. “I was like ‘Come on, let’s do this! We want to win!’ I’m a go-getter so I put forth that energy. I wanted to win and take the house down.”
Adame had stars in her eyes speaking about her experience singing alongside Robinson, who hugged her at the end of the performance.
“When I got on-stage I was very calm. I wasn’t shaky at all. Because his energy is amazing and I felt very empowered to be with him, if that makes any sense,” said Adame. “It was unreal. I’m in shock right now.”
But the real question is — which side won?
“I have to say my team won fair and square.”
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