Mavis Staples said it all started on a Sunday morning in Montgomery, Ala., when her father, Roebuck “Pops” Staples, called her and her siblings into his room.

Pops Staples wanted to know if his children wanted to go and hear Martin Luther King Jr. preach at one of his sermons.

“We was like, ‘Yeah,'” Staples said.

Staples said the family all went to the service and enjoyed every minute of King’s sermon.

“After the service Pops shook Dr. King’s hand and talked to him for a while,” Staples said.

Staples said they went back up to the room after the service where their father sat them down again and spoke to them.

“He was like, ‘Listen y’all,'” she said. “‘I really like this man’s message, and if he can preach it, then we can sing.'”

Staples said from then on, the Staple Singers began to write freedom songs for the civil rights movement.

For the Doudna Fine Arts Center rededication celebration, Staples gave a concert Friday night in the Dvorak Concert Hall.

Staples, a legendary soul and gospel singer, began her career singing with her family, the Staple Singers, in 1950 with her three siblings led by Pops.

During the concert Staples explained the history of a song called “Why Am I Treated so Bad?” that helped the Staple Singers become the voices of the civil rights movement.

Pops wrote the song back in 1962, and it became one of King’s favorite songs.

Staples said he was something else.

“I know he is smiling tonight,” she said. “We have a black man running for president for the United States of America.”

Staples said she is a Barack Obama supporter.

During the show, she told the audience to keep their heads up and keep on walking.

“Don’t turn back though you’re treated so bad,” she said.

Staples said when it comes to singing, she was taught by her father to sing from the heart.

“He told me there was no need for gimmicks to impress others with my voice,” she said. “He told me to be sincere, and the people will hear you.”

She said what comes from the heart reaches the heart.

Staples sang some of her biggest hits such as “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There” during the concert.

As Staples performed “I’ll Take You There,” she asked the audience for a favor.

“All it takes is four little words,” Staples told the audience. “Just take us there.”

The audience responded back by singing: “I’ll take you there.”

“That sounds mighty good,” Staples said.

Staples said she was excited to be invited to Eastern.

“We are very happy to be in this beautiful, beautiful venue,” she said.

Staples told the audience she wanted to leave a lasting impression.

“We want to leave you with something that’ll last you for the next six months,” she said.

During the concert, Staples sang other songs such as “Eye on the Prize,” “Way in the Water,” “Waiting for My Child” and others.

When Staples sang “Waiting for My Child,” she performed without a mic, exhibiting emotion.

Staples said there are parents waiting for their children.

“So many mothers and fathers are waiting for their child to come home,” she said.

Dan Crews, director of publicity for the arts and humanities department, said Staples is a wonderful person.

“She is so delightful,” he said.

Crews said students should be exposed to a variety of music.

“Students need to have a diverse awareness of kinds of genres, and Mavis gives you the opportunity for one to get that,” he said.

President Bill Perry said the show was amazing.

“She put on one heck of a show,” he said. “I think her message of freedom is a great message.”

Mavis said the Staples family has been around for decades and still loves performing.

“The Staples family, we’ve been taking y’all there for 58 years and we ain’t tired yet,” she said. “We’ll be back ’cause you haven’t seen the last of me.”

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].