Bringing rock and soul music together on stage
Queens of Rock and Soul coming to the Center for Performing Arts October 5-6
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Under pinkish-purple mood lights in the studio where herself and her husband record their radio show, Governors State University (GovState) professor Dr. Cherise Stone-Thompson cannot stop smiling as she talks about something she feels she was meant to do – sing on stage.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever had the feeling when you know you’re doing something that you’re supposed to be doing, even though you may be nervous, but once you start doing it, it’s like nature,” Stone-Thompson shared about performing on stage.
Four years ago, the only singing Stone-Thompson did was for herself in church or the shower. She never imagined that only a few short years later she’d be performing on stage, let alone headlining a show with her band, The Rock & Soul Band, at GovState’s Center for Performing Arts (CPA).
For Stone-Thompson, this opportunity is a dream made reality, one that manifested years ago seeing Jasmine Guy perform on the CPA stage well before her band existed.
“I told my mother, she’s (Guy) really working that stage. I’d love to work that stage! And look at me (now), I’m gonna work it!” Stone-Thompson said grinning.
Though, she never could have imagined the way this dream would come to life.
During the pandemic, she learned how to play guitar and took voice lessons to put her energy somewhere after experiencing several deaths in her family. As a way of processing her grief, Stone-Thompson turned to music, releasing an album and starting a band.
“I went to Facebook and said, ‘who wants to be in a band?’” Stone-Thompson said with a laugh.
Now, she’s been with her band, The Rock & Soul Band, for the last two years, playing gigs all over the Chicagoland area from corporate events to weddings. Combining her love for rock and soul music, the band prides themselves on performing the hits that other bands don’t.
Bringing those hidden gem songs to stage is one of the inspirations behind the upcoming show, Queens of Rock and Soul. The show is a tribute to the women who revolutionized classic rock and soul including Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, Donna Summers, Whitney Houston and more.
Stone-Thompson anticipates bringing together people of all generations in the cabaret style show from long-time fans to first-time listeners.
As the excitement builds as the show get closer, with a second show date being added due to popular demand, Stone-Thompson reflects on what it means to perform on a stage at a place that feels like home.
“It’s absolutely an honor to be welcomed and supported by the GovState family; it means the world.”
It’s even more meaningful to Stone-Thompson to star on the CPA stage now that she has deep roots at GovState. Not only does she teach at GovState, but she’s also a four-time alumna and even has a son starting his sophomore year on campus.
“I tell my students, if GovState was a blood type it would run in my veins,” said Stone-Thompson.
Queens of Rock and Soul hits the GovState Center for Performing Arts stage October 5 and 6. Click here to buy tickets.
Click here to see upcoming shows at the Center for Performing Arts.