Hitsville Legends Take Detroit Magic Around the Globe

Hitsville Legends Take Detroit Magic Around the Globe

The Largest Residential Development in Detroit's History Brings the Magic Back to Detroit Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9

DETROIT, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- At the heart of Detroit real estate businessman Herbert J. Strather's ambitions is the pledge to bring the "Magic Back to Detroit." Two historical events taking place Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9 guarantee to make good on that promise by joining the legendary stars of Hitsville with two superstar events.

For the first time in history, the great Detroit musical artists who helped put Detroit on the map will be honored with streets named after the legends in a star-studded event at Woodbridge Estates. On Friday, September 8, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Woodbridge Estates, the largest residential development in Detroit's history, Strather along with Scripps Park Associates will salute musical stars like The Four Tops, The Temptations, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Supremes, The Miracles, The Dramatics and many more as the legendary artists are honored at a naming ceremony on the grounds of the Estate.

The artists and their families will attend the celebration, which will officially unveil streets named after stars like Temptations Lane and Miracle Boulevard. In addition to the legends, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, city council members and HUD officials among others are scheduled to give remarks. Herb Strather, President of Strather & Associates will receive the Spirit of Detroit Award from the Detroit City Council.

Woodbridge Estates, a $97 million residential development, has transformed the former Jeffries projects (where several of the legends grew up) into a 47- acre, mixed-income, mixed-ownership development, which benefits from a public- private partnership between Scripps Park Associates and the Detroit Housing Commission.

"I love the musical sounds of Detroit," said Herb Strather. "This is the music and the artists that I grew up with. We are long over due in honoring these legends of Hitsville, the artists who brought Detroit to the world."

Located on the service drive of the John C. Lodge Freeway, Woodbridge Estates includes 297 senior rental units, the construction of 101 new homes and 281 new rental units. A 12,000-square-foot neighborhood retail center is being considered for future development. The home ownership units consist of single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses, ranging from 1,200 to 2,600 square feet.

Scripps Park Associates is comprised of Strather & Associates, a Detroit real estate and development investment firm; the Slavik Company, a Farmington Hills-based real estate development company; Premier Property Management, a Detroit area property management company; and Rosenberg Housing Group, a New York City consulting firm, nationally recognized for its work in public housing.

On Saturday, September 9, the sounds of Hitsville will once again grace the halls of the Boston Edison home once owned by Motown Music Mogul, Berry Gordy, Jr. as the stars of Hitsville gather for a gala celebration planned at the historical mansion. More than 33 Hitsville artists and legends will gather for a listening party unveiling new recordings and re-recorded classics by many of the artists. The red carpet, star-studded gala will feature a unique listening room, tour of the home and live show.

The Gordy Mansion completely renovated in lavish elegance will host the musical legends who have recorded new music and known classics under a new label, Hits Entertainment Group owned by Hitsville Venture, LLC. Saturday's event will also celebrate the masterful bridging of the worlds of music, entertainment and online gaming in the form of Hitsville.net, an internet entertainment experience scheduled for launch this Fall. Hitsville.net is touted as a dynamic multi-level online gaming experience which will combine the excitement of casino gaming with merchandising, skill competitions and play-for-fun games. The site will feature the look and sounds of the legendary stars of Hitsville music.

"This is a grand celebration of the best of Detroit musically," said Jason Q. Wilson, Vice-Chairman of Hitsville Venture, LLC. "We have dozens of the legendary artists who have brought musical magic to the world as our partners in this venture." Indeed, the Hitsville artists own a collective share of Hitsville.net, a site that will feature the images and sounds of the artists themselves.

Artists attending include: The Temptations (Otis Williams), The Four Tops, Mary Wilson, The Originals, Brenda Holloway, Dee Dee McNeil, Velvelettes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Miracles, The Joe Billingslea Contours, The Dramatics, Nona Gaye, Freda Payne, Scherrie Payne, The Andantes (Pat Lewis), Katharine Schafner of The Marvelettes -- Katherine, Michelle Ballard & Lisa Ballard Chapman, (daughters of the late original Supreme, Florence Ballard), Carolyn Crawford, songwriter Sylvia Moy, Spyder Turner, Laura Lee, Bill Nicks of the Jr. Walker's All Star Band, Billy Wilson, Maxine Powell, Thomas B. Bowles Jr. and Dennis Bowles, sons of the late saxophonist extraordinaire, Thomas "Beans" Bowles, Michael Quatro, Kim Weston, George Clinton of the Funkadelics, Cheryl, Nedra, Kimberly & David Ruffin, Jr. representing the late David Ruffin of The Temptations, The Funk Brothers (Joe Hunter, Barrett Strong, Carl Carlton and Michael Powell).

Media interested in attending the events or conducting interviews should contact Adrienne Lenhoff Wise at Shazaaam! at 248-366-0388, email alenhoff@shazaaam.com .

For all other information contact:
Linda A. Clark
(313) 399-1221
LClark@Strather.com

Source: Strather & Associates

CONTACT: Linda A. Clark of Strather & Associates, +1-313-399-1221,
LClark@Strather.com

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