James Jackson and Robert Smoot were on a mission today.

The team behind BRENCORE Entertainment is letting people know about the upcoming show it plans February 18 at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre featuring William “Smooth” Wardlaw in a performance that will pay tribute to R&B artist Luther Vandross.

This is the first of five shows the Washington, D.C., area team plan at the venue, they said in an interview today at the theater.

Following the Wardlaw performance, the pair will be promoting a March 31 Motown tribute at the venue. Then they plan Mother's and Father's day events and one in July.

Wardlaw in concert.

With the Wardlaw show, Smoot said, “What you're going to hear there is the music of Luther Vandross. He not only favors him, but his mannerisms and stage presence is fabulous.”

The show has sold out in the District of Columbia, Smoot said, and the team will bring people down to experience the show in Roanoke Rapids, and have reached a sponsorship deal with the Hampton Inn to put them up there.

“We have a following,” Jackson said. “We want people who are not familiar with the area to come and see it.”

Their initial visit to the theater was in November when they met with city officials and the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We were very impressed with the facility,” Jackson said.

The pair has been promoting jazz and other shows at the Carlyle Cub in Alexandria and have done outdoor music festivals in Fredricksburg spanning the globe of music, from jazz to rock and roll.

Smoot and Jackson understand the situation the city faces with the theater and a proposal from Chicago businessman Lafayette Gatling to buy the venue, which has not yet panned out. “We saw an opportunity here,” Jackson said. “As we had more communication it spawned like a vision. We've been given an opportunity. We want to do what we can to rekindle and revitalize the community entertainment.”

With access to topnotch musicians, many who play in bands for superstars, Smoot and Jackson say they plan a variety of shows that go beyond R&B and Motown. “These are A-List professional musicians. They're not karaoke guys. That's our approach. We want it to come across all colors and (ethnic lines).”

Jackson said BRENCORE will put on shows for as long as it can. “We're here to stay, we're not just one hit wonders. We want to get a feel of our target audience. We present everything. Not to be arrogant, but we know what we're doing. When a person comes to one of our shows we want them to leave with a smile on their face.”