Don’t Miss “An Evening with Valerie Simpson in Honor of Nick Ashford” Coming to PBS Stations This Month

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Well, it is still Black History Month, and this interview/performance was filmed last year after Nick Ashford died. Host Gwen Ifill, along with Valerie Simpson, takes us back through the early years and to the high points of Ashford and Simpson’s career as singers and as songwriters for other performers and then for themselves.

As songwriters and performers, Ashford & Simpson have long ranked among the most acclaimed and admired creative couples in modern music. Their award-winning collaborations span from writing Ray Charles‘ hit “Let’s Go Get Stoned” to helping shape Berry Gordy‘s Motown musical dynasty with songs for artists like Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell and Diana Ross. Their hits include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By” and “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand).” After Ashford & Simpson left Motown in 1973, they continued to write songs and produce for other artists like Chaka Khan (penning “I’m Every Woman”) and Teddy Pendergrass, while launching their own successful career as performers. They garnered four gold records and their smash hits included “Send It,” “Is It Still Good to Ya,” “Stay Free” and “Solid.”

During the evening, Simpson candidly talks about first meeting Nick Ashford in New York City at the White Rock Baptist Church, falling in love with him and the legacy that they will leave behind. In addition, she discusses the duo’s Motown experience and all the wonderful artists who they have worked with as well as making it as solo performers.

This show is going to be on Channel 38.2 (or Channel 21.2) of the Wisconsin Channel, based in Milwaukee, at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22.

It will then be repeated on the Wisconsin Channel at 1:00 p.m. on the following day, Thursday, February 23, and on Friday, February 24 at 2:00 a.m. So yall have plenty of time to set your recorders and your Tivos. For further information, especially how you can find out when this documentary will play in your area, click this link.