Ruben Studdard Performs A Night Of Luther Vandross Timeless Songs
Imagine… The vocals and music performed like Luther performed them in concert…
With hits such as:
Always and Forever
Never Too Much
Superstar
A House is Not a Home
Power of Love
Here and Now
So Amazing
Stop to Love
Dance With My Father
… and Many More
It’s a magical night out – a special concert event for Ruben fans and millions of Luther Vandross fans who long for his music – who now have a show that comes very close to the feeling of his memorable concerts – it’s a vocal tribute to his remarkable talent.
There will never be another Luther Vandross, and no other voice comes closer to him than Ruben Studdard – the remarkable singer who was hailed as “The Next Luther” during his American Idol run, and was nominated for a Grammy for singing “Superstar”.
Produced by Stig Edgren – the creative force who staged events for numerous popes and presidents, created “Elvis Presley – In Concert”, The Colors of Christmas, designed shows for Earth, Wind & Fire, Gloria Estefan, and created Natalie Cole’s “unforgettable” live video.
This is as close as you’ll get to a Luther show!
ABOUT RUBEN STUDDARD:
Christopher Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978), is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol, and received a Grammy Award® nomination in December 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Superstar.” In the years following Idol, Studdard has released six studio albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful, and
the top-selling gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel. He is most well-known for his recording career, which has produced hits including “Flying Without Wings,” “Sorry 2004,” and “Change Me,” but he has also segued into television and stage work. Most notably, he toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama I Need a Hug and in 2008 starred as Fats Waller in a national tour revival of Ain’t Misbehavin, which spawned a Grammy®- nominated soundtrack.
He is signed to Verve Records and released his last album, Unconditional Love, on February 4, 2014. His most current release Ruben Sings Luther (a tribute to Luther Vandross) was released March 16, 2018.
Studdard was born in Frankfurt, Germany, to American parents, while his father was stationed there with the U.S. Army, and grew up in Birmingham, AL. The youngest son of two teachers, at the age of three, he sang for the first time at the Rising Star Baptist Church in his hometown of Birmingham. He continued singing gospel in church, performing solos as a child while his mother sang in the local choir. While at Huffman High School, he played football for which he received a scholarship to Alabama A&M University. While at Alabama A&M he joined the Omicron Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the men’s music fraternity of America.
After growing up listening to his mother’s Donny Hathaway albums, Fred Hammond, and gospel music, Studdard began to pursue a career in the music industry, majoring in voice studies at Alabama A&M. He sang with Just a Few Cats, a popular local Birmingham jazz and R&B band founded by members of Ray Reach’s UAB Jazz Ensemble, along with other local musicians. Years later, Studdard stated: “A lot of people don’t realize how hard I was trying to get into the business before American Idol. I was making demos and just working so hard.” A back-up singer from Just a Few Cats asked him to accompany her to Nashville, Tennessee for an audition on the 2003 second season of American Idol. When auditioning, Studdard sang Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky.”
This guided him to being one of the local finalists. On American Idol, he impressed viewers with his performances of the Leon Russell/Bonnie Bramlett song “Superstar” (best known as a hit for The Carpenters) and the Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle duet “A Whole New World;” during his time on
the show, Studdard received praise from music legends such as Lionel Richie, Neil Sedaka, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, Luther Vandross, and Gladys Knight.
During the televised competition, Studdard gained the nickname “Velvet Teddy Bear” and was noted for his shirts printed with “205,” the telephone area code of his hometown of Birmingham. Studdard also did a cover version of “For All We Know,” originally recorded by Donny Hathaway, whose music he grew up with.
He won the contest over runner-up Clay Aiken in the May 2003 finale becoming the second American Idol winner. Alabama Governor, Bob Riley declared March 11, 2003 as “Ruben Studdard Day.”