ASHLAND -- Fifty years later, Motown still has soul.

Celebrating five decades this calendar year, Motown made greats such as The Temptations a household name. On Tuesday, April 21, the group made famous thanks to songs like "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" visits the Paramount Arts Center. Showtime is 7 p.m.

"I think there are a lot of different reasons why The Temptations are still around -- being part of Motown, being part of so many wonderful hit records," said Otis Williams, the only surviving member of the original group. He is joined onstage by Terry Weeks, G. C. Cameron, Ron Tyson and Joe Herndon.

Despite the fact that time has marched on, Williams said not much has changed since he co-founded the Motown group.

"People are still enjoying the music. The theme of it all is the same great songs and the same great performances. We still encompass all of that," he explained. "Motown came along at a time when the world had some crazy things going on -- just like today. I think of our music as soothing ointment to a troubled soul."

The current Temptations mirror the trademark sound the group came to be known for and Williams said longtime fans -- and new generations of fans -- never seem to be disappointed.

"Our shows are very generational. As people have grown up, they've passed us on to their kids and their kids passed us on to their kids, so it's not unusual to see several generations of families in our audiences," he said. "People come to see the group perform the songs we're known for. The Temptations have taken on a life form bigger than any one member of the group. Folks always leave the shows happy."

For tickets and additional information, call the Paramount at 606-324-3175.

Courtesy of The Temptations

The legendary Motown group The Temptations will perform Tuesday, April 21, at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland.

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