Soul siren Gladys Knight feels "honoured" to participate in Premier Ewart Brown's farewell gala weekend.

Ms Knight will take the stage tomorrow night at the Fairmont Southampton as the headliner for the black tie dinner in honour of Dr. Brown.

The entertainer first came to Bermuda in 1967. She last performed here two years ago, at the Love Festival.

Asked what she liked most about the Island, Ms Knight said: "Well, it's a warm feeling from the people there. When I first came in 1967, I loved the fact that the cops didn't have guns.

"It was just a sense of community and family and the Island is really beautiful. I am from the south so I like smaller places. Even when I perform I prefer a small, intimate place where I can touch people and talk to people."

She continued: "I love the beauty of it. It was the first time I had seen the pink sand. It was just a wonderful experience.

"It was my first time riding a scooter and riding on the wrong side of the street. I just loved everything about it."

Asked why she decided to perform for Dr. Brown, the songstress said: "Because I just love being wherever people are. If you pick up the phone and call me, more than likely I'm going to come.

"That's just the way I feel about it. I loved my stint in Las Vegas at The Flamingo but the thing about that is people had to come to us and thank the Lord they did.

"There are people everywhere who make us who we are. We owe it to them to be able to reach out to them and that's why I'm still on the road."

The seven-time Grammy award winner said she was as excited about performing today as she was back in the 1960s.

"Music is not just the universal language but it also has a certain uplifting quality to it. Music just has that property that makes things feel, look and seem a little bit better.

"We need to remember to massage the spirit and music and coming together to enjoy an evening with others I find does just that. I am honoured that I can be a part of that experience. "

The 'Midnight Train to Georgia' singer said her performance will include her songs "from yesterday and songs of today".

"But I owe it to them to give what they paid to come see and hear. I have been blessed enough to have quite a few of these [songs] and we only have so much time to perform."

Ms Knight said she has just completed a new record.

"I can't wait until you guys get to hear it. All my life it's been the people who made me, not promoters. The people who said 'we like that, we like this' and I respect that.

"I can't wait until you guys hear it. It's been how long since I had something new?" she laughed.

For more information on Gladys Knight, visit her website www.gladysknight.com