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HEADLINER
Smokey Robinson
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson’s career spans over four decades of hits.
He has received numerous awards, including the GRAMMY Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate (Howard University), Kennedy Center Honors, and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Robinson founded The Miracles while still in high school. The group was Berry Gordy’s first vocal group, and it was at Robinson’s suggestion that Gordy started the Motown Record dynasty. Their single of Robinson’s “Shop Around” became Motown’s first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen hits for the group, including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Going to a Go-Go,” “More Love,” “Tears of a Clown” (co-written with Stevie Wonder), and “I Second That Emotion.”
The Miracles dominated the R&B scene throughout the 1960s and early 70s, and Robinson became Vice President of Motown Records, serving as in-house producer, talent scout, and songwriter.In addition to writing hits for the Miracles, Robinson wrote and produced hits for other Motown greats, including The Temptations, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye, and others.”The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “My Girl,” “Get Ready,” “You Beat Me to the Punch,””Don’t Mess with Bill,” “Ain’t That Peculiar,” and “My Guy” are just a few of his songwriting triumphs during those years. He later turned to a solo career where he continued his tradition of chart-topping hits with “Just to See Her,” “Quiet Storm,” “Cruisin’,” and “Being with You,”among others.
He remained Vice President of Motown records until the sale of the company, shaping the label’s success with friend and mentor Berry Gordy. Following his tenure at Motown, he continued his impressive touring career and released several successful solo albums. Robinson was singer/co-writer on the certified gold track “Make It Better” from Anderson Paak’s album Ventura and in 2023 released his newest album of original music entitled Gasms via TLR Music Group/ ADA. In 2024 Smokey curated his own channel on SiriusXM called “Smokey’s SoulTown” featuring soul music from the 60’s and 70’s as well as interviews, live performances, and call ins. In 2025, he celebrated a milestone 85th Birthday and it marked the 50th ANNIVERSARY of his 1975 breakthrough album turned radio format, A QuietStorm.
This year of 2026 Smokey Robinson will continue to promote his newest single “Be Thankful” from his current album What The World Needs Now, an arrangement of beautiful inspirational and recognizable covers of legendary music. And he will continue touring with his Legacy of Love Tour all throughout the year celebrating all of his top hits throughout the decades.
Throughout his 60+ year music career, Robinson has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit and continues to thrill sold-out audiences worldwide with his high tenor voice, impeccable timing, and profound sense of lyric and style.
SPECIAL GUEST
CAKE
Originally formed as a somewhat antagonistic answer to grunge, CAKE’s defiant self-reliance and lucid yet ever-inventive music has made them a nation-state unto themselves with no evident peers in sound or perspective. CAKE’s most recent album, Showroom of Compassion, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and was touted as “deadpan brilliance” by The New Yorker Magazine. While seamlessly blending numerous genres and influences, CAKE issues forth a sound and vision unlike any other band.
CAKE is currently at work on their ninth album due for release during autumn 2026.
The band recently contributed a new song — “Hold You (Responsible)” — to the Noise For Now compilation album SONGS FOR SEX, an artist response to Project 2025. The compilation album supports the importance of standing up for bodily autonomy, reproductive freedoms and personal privacy. The band was grateful for the chance to fight for reproductive rights for all citizens.
Additionally, ahead of a recent show in San Antonio, the band stopped by the Texas Public Radio station to record a song for a “Live From the Freight Elevator” session performing the new song titled, “Billionaire in Space” also set to be included on CAKE’s new album to be released next year. Lead vocalist John McCrea shared that “’Billionaire in Space’ is an observation, really of all billionaires, and the economic imbalance that we have been lulled into accepting as the norm. It is a song about being left behind.”
PRESS RELEASE
MEMORIAL PARK IS GOING TO BE THE “LIFE OF THE PARTY” IN LATE JUNE
Smokey Robinson and CAKE headline on Friday, June 26th
(March 23, 2026 – OMAHA, NE) Start messaging your friends and making your game plan – the popular summer concert at Memorial Park is back for 2026, featuring very special guest CAKE and headliner Smokey Robinson.
In partnership with the City of Omaha and produced by the Omaha Parks Foundation, the City of Omaha’s Memorial Park Concert will be on Friday, June 26th. The concert kicks off with the National Anthem at 6:30pm and ends with a firework spectacular set to launch at approximately 10pm.
“Mark those calendars, invite your neighbors, and let’s make this a night to remember,” said Mayor John Ewing “There’s nothing quite like live music under the summer sky with the best community around.”
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson’s career spans over four decades of hits. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Robinson founded The Miracles while still in high school. Their single of Robinson’s “Shop Around” became Motown’s first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen hits for the group, including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” and “I Second That Emotion.” He has received numerous awards, including the GRAMMY Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctorate, Kennedy Center Honors, and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Robinson wrote and produced hits for other Motown greats, including The Temptations, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway, and Marvin Gaye.
CAKE is an American band that was formed in California in the early 90s. While seamlessly blending numerous genres and influences, CAKE issues forth a sound and vision unlike any other band. Some of their greatest hits include: “Short Skirt / Long Jacket,” “The Distance,” and “Never There.” CAKE is currently at work on their 9th album, due out later this year.
As in past years, local musicians are invited to apply to be featured via video between the sets and throughout the day leading up to the show. The application to be considered is open through Friday, April 3rd and all local bands and solo artists are encouraged to apply. Bands may opt to submit an existing video or, in partnership with KPAO Public Television, request free studio time to record a video for consideration.
Consistently a top show in the region, the fireworks by J&M Displays will light the night immediately following the music and will serve as an early celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.
“The Memorial Park Concert is a long-standing tradition that highlights one of our city’s many great parks,” said Jake Lindner, the Interim Parks Director, “our parks crew puts a lot of work into prepping the park for the concert and we appreciate their work along with all of the other city departments that come to together to make this event a success each year.” The event is supported by the City of Omaha, Douglas County, the Omaha Parks Foundation, and exclusive radio partner NewsRadio 1110 KFAB. A special thank you to TMS Production Integration. For more information, visit www.MemorialParkConcert.com and follow the concert on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact: Heidi Walz
hwalz@walzconsultingllc.com
Images: bit.ly/MP2026Talent
