Percy Sledge performs in Yuma

Sometimes predictions come true. Case in point, legendary R and B singer Percy Sledge, whose romantic 1966 ballad "When A Man Loves A Woman" remains one of the most soulful and romance infused songs of all times. But long before his music career took off, people around Sledge predicted his career would take him places.

"I've had that sad type of feeling in my soul when I was working in the fields picking and chopping cotton, as a young man. I used to sing to the people working in the fields and they all predicted that one day my voice would be heard all over the world, but I never felt that way."

"I've sung working in the fields, for strangers, and the bossman. But their predictions turned out true. I've sung my songs on all four corners of the world," Sledge said in a phone interview with The Sun.

Sledge will be singing for a Yuma audience during two shows tonight at Paradise Casinos, 450 Quechan Drive, starting at 6 p.m. with the first show and at 8:30 p.m. to close out the night.

"Audiences in Yuma will get my heart and soul. I think, frankly, I sound just the same on record as I do live, so I'll give them all I got, that's Percy's way. I'll be giving them all my hits like 'Cover Me,' 'Take Time To Know Her,' 'Out of Left Field' and then I have a mixture of songs from some of my favorite artists like Otis Redding and The Temptations."

Although, “When A Man Loves A Woman” has become a soul anthem, his repertoire of chart hits also includes "Warm And Tender Love," "It Tears Me Up," "I'll Be Your Everything" and many more. Sledge has been making music for five decades, and has recently released a new record, Shining Through the Rain, his first in 10 years.

"I got and still get inspired mostly from nature, the things that surround me. The sky, the trees, the birds, the bees, the running water in the rivers ... and that's the type of feeling I have with every song I sing. The lyrics to my songs have to have something I really feel and see within myself," Sledge said.

"The Yuma audience will be getting about 10 of my greatest hits and I'll sing The Temptations' 'My Girl' and Redding's 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,'" Sledge said.

"For people to want to hear my songs after many, many years is a feeling you can't describe. But, it's a blessing. God has been so good to me, for giving me this singing voice, which has sung for so many years for all my fans around the world," Sledge said.

Also performing during the soulful night of classic ballads will be Will Porter and the All Stars, whose soulful and jazzy vocals have captured significant reviews in the industry.

Porter, a critically acclaimed live performer who has spent decades as bandleader and musical director for many R and B legends, such as Mary Wells, The Shirelles, The Drifters, The Coasters, Little Anthony, Chuck Berry, Sam Moore, Percy Sledge, Del Shannon, and Mitch Ryder, boasts years in the blues and jazz scene.

Tickets for the show are $30 per person and can be bought by calling 1-888-777-4946.

Sledge added, "I've heard that fans are excited for me to perform, but what they don't know is I'm excited myself. I can't wait to do my show!"

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Stefani Guerrero Soucy can be reached at SSoucy@yumasun.com or 539-6857.