Decades after forming Prince cover band, CAPA alumni lead tribute concert at Kelly Strayhorn Theater

Once up a time nearly four decades ago, Dwayne Fulton of Pittsburgh and his Creative and Performing Arts High School classmates Brian Edwards and Stan Howard started a band with the lofty goal of covering music by funk and R&B legend Prince.

In the 1980s, Howard changed his first name to Chance, literally took a chance by moving to Minneapolis, where Prince lived. Howard ultimately became a vocalist and keyboard player who worked with not just Prince, but Morris Day & the Time, and saxophonist Candy Dulfer.

Edwards also moved there, in the late 1980s. He became the touring drummer for R&B group DeBarge, working with Jesse Johnson. Edwards recorded at Prince’s home studio and played as part of the 2019 Paisley Park “Celebration 2019” concert.

Now, Howard is struggling to recover after a devastating 2019 car accident. On Saturday, Feb. 19, Fulton and Edwards will dedicate “When Doves Cry,” a Prince tribute concert at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, to their former bandmate.

Fulton, a pianist, composer and minister of music at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, said he was immediately captivated by Prince’s music as a young man.

“Us artists, we’re all weird,” he said. “And the eclectic style of his music was so intriguing to me. It wasn’t popcorn — you had to really delve into it, dissect it and understand it.”

Fulton said Prince’s ability to fuse disparate genres like funk and hard rock together into a unique sound always commanded his attention.

Fulton is arranging the show and directing a musical ensemble that includes vocalists Cam Chambers, Chantal Joseph and Rich Hutchins.

He said it was a challenge to find the right people to cover Prince songs.

“Nowadays, artists are so much more skilled as it relates to the tricks and vocal ‘gymnastics,’ but I find that a lot of times, they’re missing showmanship,” Fulton said. “You sound great. But are you bringing me into your world?”

Edwards, who teaches percussion at Bentley & Romito Pro Music in Penn Township, agreed.

“You have to be able to sell it,” he said. “I tell my students all the time, what you played was beautiful, but I didn’t believe it. I don’t need to hear Prince, but make me feel the way I feel when I hear it from him. Not an impersonation — take me to that place.”

Fulton said he’s excited to see what Chambers, Joseph and Hutchins do with Prince’s sizable catalog of hit songs.

“I think people are really going to enjoy Cam’s energy,” he said. “This is my first time working with Chantal. But I believe they’re all going to bring that Minneapolis, Paisley Park dynamic that we’re looking for.”

And while the show was initially scheduled for May 2020 and delayed by covid, Fulton considers that a blessing in disguise.

“We wouldn’t have had Brian Edwards for that original gig. To be able to connect with Stan and Brian — this is where it all started with us,” Fulton said. “I’m so looking forward to how that is manifested at the show.”

Edwards said some of their former CAPA classmates will also be part of the production.

“It’s going to bring back memories, and I’m looking forward to having a great show,” he said. “I really think Pittsburgh needs this. It’s probably overdue.”

“When Doves Cry” will be at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19 at the theater, 5941 Penn Ave. in the city’s East Liberty neighborhood.

Tickets are $20 to $35, and are available at Kelly-Strayhorn.org/when-doves-cry.

For more, call 412-363-3000.