Love Songs

Seneca Allegany Casino will host a night of love songs Saturday, when two-time Grammy-award winner Rita Coolidge comes to the Events Center stage. Coolidge returns to the casino with four decades of love songs for a Valentine's-themed show.

"We'll be doing some of the classics," said Coolidge, a regular on the Billboard charts in the late 1970s. "We're going to be incorporating Valentine's songs. It's just one of my favorite shows to do. I love doing the Valentine's songs."

Coolidge made a name for herself in the 1970s when several of her songs charted on the Billboard Hot 100, including "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher," which peaked at No. 2 in 1977.

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Rita Coolidge will perform at Seneca Allegany Casino on Saturday night starting at 7. Tickets for the show start at $20.

"We're All Alone" reached No. 7 that same year, while "You" and "The Way You Do the Things You Do" peaked in the Top 25 in 1978. Some of Coolidge's other hits include "Fever," "One Fine Day," "Fool That I Am," "Love Me Again," "Turn Around and Love You" and "I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love."

Known in part for writing and performing love songs, Coolidge has played Valentine's-themed shows throughout her career, including gigs in California and Japan for several years.

"I'm a singer, and I love it," she said. "It's what I do. I'm just glad to be doing this and performing and enjoying it."

After more than four decades in the music industry, Coolidge still enjoys recording and performing in front of audiences. When she sings, Coolidge does her best to give concert goers what they came for.

"I realize how important it is to include all of those songs that people come to hear," she said. "I want everybody to be happy."

Coolidge's self-titled debut hit stores in 1971. Her most recent release, "And So Is Love," came out in 2006. One might expect Coolidge to speak highly of her accolades, particularly her two Grammy awards. However, she said recording and performing mean more to her than receiving recognition for her work.

"Awards to me aren't outstanding experiences," she said. "I think it's everything that leads up to the award that's the experience. I enjoy recording a lot, but as soon as the record is done, then it doesn't belong to me anymore. Then, I get to go on the road and share it with audiences. That's where the fun is."

Coolidge doesn't plan to stop touring or recording anytime soon. She has developed a camaraderie with her players and said she probably enjoys performing now more than she ever has.

"Like Patti LaBelle said, 'I'll still be singing three days after I'm buried,'" Coolidge said. "That's kind of the way we are - people who are veterans in the business. We really love what we do. We're doing it for the love and the passion of music. As long as somebody invites me to come to their town or their casino to sing, I'm going to be there."

Coolidge will hit the Events Center stage at 7 p.m. Saturday. All are welcome to attend, but those under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets start at $20. Visit senecaalleganycasino.com for more information.