Charlie Wilson (center), formerly of the GAP Band, produced pure excitement at the DeSoto Civic Center from the moment he walked on stage for his performance until the time he walked off. (Photos by Warren Roseborough)

After driving home from the Desoto Civic Center this past Sunday night, all I could say was, “That doggone Charlie Wilson.”

I even found myself saying the same thing when I got up Monday morning to take my son to school.

Frankie Beverly is no stranger to the Memphis area and the performances he and Maze deliver are consistently crowd-pleasing.

Babyface has written, produced and performed over 70 No. 1 hits and he wasn’t slacking during his concert performance Sunday night.

If you missed the big show with Charlie Wilson, Babyface and Frankie Beverly and Maze, you really should be mad at yourself. That was quite a show. And I didn’t even get a chance to see Frankie Beverly and Maze (somebody had to be on the air at midnight.)

I was among the first “stars” on stage. Seriously! Fellow radio guys Jackson Brown, Earle Augustus and I had the opportunity to bring on the opening act, Arika Kane. This young lady has talent and will be making major noise in the next year. Be on the lookout for her.

So let me get to Mr. Charlie, last name Wilson. I didn’t realize this guy has so much energy on stage. From the moment he walked on stage until the time he walked off, there was nothing but pure excitement. He performed some of his hits from the Gap Band years, as well as his more recent solo hits.

During his set, Charlie asked the crowd, “Why the hell am I opening the show? I am a star!” He then broke into his version of “I’m a Star” by Prince.

Now, consider this: all three of the main acts were major artists. Somebody, however, had to go first. Three wardrobe changes and well over an hour later, Mr. Wilson had made his case for the “main act”. By the time Babyface made it to the stage, Charlie Wilson had already given the crowd more than its money’s worth. If he is performing anywhere within one hundred miles of where you are, buy a ticket, get a tank of gas and go.

Babyface wasn’t slacking himself. Although he performed the hit that everybody was waiting on, “Whip Appeal,” the crowd got a chance to see how talented this guy really was as he delivered on a string of hits that he had written or produced for others. Did you know that this guy has written, produced and performed over 70 No. 1 hits?

I do regret that I had to leave right before Babyface finished. I had to be on the air at midnight and the concert didn’t wrap up until after 1a.m. That means a show that lasted over 5 hours! Talk about getting your moneys worth, right?

On Another Note:

This Sunday night marks the second installment of the Basement Soul Lounge at the Rumba Room! Musical entertainment will be provided by local soul artist Eric Cross. In addition to the music and spoken word poetry, this week will also feature comedy from local comedian P.A. Bomani.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $10, and $5 if you get there before 7 p.m. Go to www.memphisrebirth.com for more details.

Ask Myron:

Q: “What do you think about Allen Iverson leaving the Memphis Grizzlies shortly after joining the team?”   

D. McKnight, Memphis

A: Well, for all parties involved, I think it is the equivalent of someone sticking a pin in a balloon. For Iverson because he didn’t get the playing time he expected, for the fans because they won’t get the excited they expected, and for the owners because they won’t fill the seats as they expected. I’m quite sure, however, they will “rebound” and move forward. They still have great players such as Rudy Gay, Zack Randolph and Marc Gasol.

(Myron Mays is a freelance columnist and host of “Myron at Midnite” on WRBO Soul Classics 103.5. Got an entertainment question? Send me an email at myron@myronmays.com or catch me on Facebook and Twitter. If your question is printed in the column, I’ll send you a couple of free tickets to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.)