After 43 years in show business, the Contours are happy to still be performing, said Sylvester Potts, one of two original members still singing with the group.

The main reason is because the group knows how to settle its differences.

"When we have differences, we talk about it. We don't fight each other," Potts said.

Besides the ability to sing and dance, Potts said new members have to share his and Joe Billingslea's desire for friendship and understanding, which are the three things that keep the Contours melded together.

"It's not the same group from the start, but (Billingslea) and myself managed to take people in who have the same goals and understanding that we do," Potts said.

The Contours, which also include Gary Grear, Charles Davis and Al Chisholm, will perform Saturday at Sharon Regional Health System's Charity Ball at Tiffany Manor in Brookfield. Proceeds benefit Sharon Regional Health System's Heart Institute.

Potts said concertgoers can look forward to hearing more than just original Contours songs.

The group offers a "full Motown revue," singing their own hits as well as other favorites originally done by The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, the Miracles and others. The Contours play a 90-minute show with their five-piece backup band, The Counterplay, Potts said.

And of course, concertgoers can also look forward to hearing the group's signature song "Do You Love Me?"

"We can't go anywhere without performing 'Do You Love Me?' (The audience) would run us out of town," Potts laughed. "We like to put different songs on our repertoire and keep the audiences happy."

Potts said it makes it worthwhile when people tell them how much they enjoyed the show.

"Watching them enjoy us, watching their reactions, means a lot to us.," Potts said. "We make sure they enjoy themselves."

The Contours put a lot into their shows to keep the attention of the audience. As with most Motown groups from the '60s, they have choreography that goes along with the songs. They may not dance like they used to, but Potts said they can still move and groove.

"We used to do splits and flips, but our choreography is not as it used to be. We've toned down a bit, but we keep as much choreography as we can. We don't just stand there and sing," Potts said.

There was a time when the Contours were hoping to get their shot at performing. But had it not been for their recording contract through Motown Records, the Contours may have never reached fame.

The Contours almost didn't make it. Berry Gordy Jr., founder and owner of Motown Records, wasn't impressed with the Contours following a three-song audition in 1959 so he sent them on their way.

But Hubert Johnson, one of the original members of the group, called his cousin Jackie Wilson to help them out. Wilson, a rock and roll legend by the time, liked what he heard and called his old friend Gordy to put in a good word. The very next day, the Contours signed a seven-year recording contract with Gordy's label.

Their first release in 1962, "Whole Lotta Woman," went nowhere, but the group's next release that summer became their biggest hit. It was "Do You Love Me," a song Gordy wrote for them.

The song experienced a resurgence 26 years later.

After the 1988 film "Dirty Dancing" featured the song, the soundtrack gave birth to the international "Dirty Dancing Tour" which featured the Contours. The tour lasted 10 months and played to more than 2 million fans in eight countries. Potts said the best part was the crowds.

The Contours haven't stopped performing or putting out albums since 1962. The group is preparing to release a new album, "The Contours New Direction."

For more information or reservations, call (724) 983-3805.