William Mickey Stevenson, Motown’s First A&R Man Motown Founder Berry Gordy says here, “The 50th anniversary of Motown was not about the stars Diana, Smokey, the Temps, the Tops, Michael and Stevie, it was about the people who made the stars and Mickey Stevenson leads the list.” Motown evokes smiles. It is a cherished part of the personal history of nearly everyone alive at the end of the 50s when all the Motown labels Tamla, Soul, Gordy, Forum. Miracle and others burst on the music scene as “The Sound of Young America.” Hundreds of books, magazine articles, films and theatre projects have attempted to tell the “Motown Story, “ And here, for the first time in a candid and fascinating program, Mickey Stevenson, the backbone of the tiny label, tells his first person account. Mickey was there, moving with energy, dealing with all the artists, writers and producers with a deft hand. He put the band together that would become legend, The Funk Brothers, moved Martha Reeves from secretary to star, taught Marvin Gaye how to sing with soul and signed Little Stevie Wonder. Many of the people who watched Mickey do all of this speak on this documentary, so many still in awe of his gigantic talent and nascent understanding of what should happen at the little Detroit label. Claudette Robinson, one of the founders of the Miracles, says “We thought he was much older than he was because he knew so much about the business.” Janie Bradford, Motown stalwart and songwriter says “He was so mysterious and he knew so much” and Funk Brother Jack Ashford puts it simply, “After Berry, there was Mickey.” We are taken behind the scenes as never before as Mickey and others speak of what magic he wrought long ago in the “Snake Pit,” in the writing rooms, in the studio and on the road. This documentary reveals Mickey 50 years ago and Mickey today—still searching for talent in every corner of the globe –from Russia to Downtown Burbank. In compelling footage, we see both tried and true and the new methods of developing talent, Motown, the Musical has broken records this year on Broadway earning $1 Million in its debut week, with its upcoming national tours and local productions, Motown will be on the minds of music lovers the country over. In Mickey Stevenson, Motown’s “First A & R Man,” long time fans and those newly introduced to the legend of Motown will all be riveted by this intimate look from the unsung hero himself.. This book is essential reading for anyone who loves Motown, soul music, popular music, or anyone who is or wants to be involved in the music business.