(Tracy Performing Arts Center; The Villages, FL) The astonishing sound dramatic lighting of the new Tracy Performing Arts Center served as the perfect backdrop to an amazing vocal display by American Idol's Season 2 winner, Mr. Ruben Studdard, who covered songs by legendary vocalist, Luther Vandross as part of his "Ruben Sings Luther" concert series.
Studdard won the hearts of millions back in 2003 when he auditioned on American Idol with Stevie Wonder's 'Ribbon in the Sky'. At the time, the Frankfurt West Germany-born Studdard was just a mere 24 years young when he obtained his 3 votes from Simon, Randy, and Paula before going on to dominate that year's competition, ultimately winning Season 2 of American Idol.
During Saturday night's performance, he shared the story of first attending a Luther Vandross concert with his relative, but not being overly excited at the time because Luther's concert wasn't one of the shows he was thrilled to see. Eventually discovering when he sang Luther songs that he would get paid, over time he developed an interest in covering Mr. Vandross' music which led to his eventually performing full concerts as tribute to the legendary singing icon.
Growing up, Ruben was asked by relatives to sing for different events, including weddings. While introducing one of the songs, he admitted that it was "a song that he sang at least 100 times 'for free'" while growing up. The audience was then treated to a beautiful rendition of 'Here and Now.'
Dubbed 'the Velvet Teddybear' by Gladys Knight, the big man from Birmingham AL masterfully graced us with 14 songs in total on this evening, easily demonstrating how the Grammy-nominated balladeer has put out 8 successful studio albums. On this night in Florida, he had the audience standing on their feet dancing the 2-step, while at other times he had us clutching to our seats as we absorbed his angelic baritone voice, with surgical-like precision over the notes he opted to float his voice into.
At one point during the performance, he indicated that it was his hope that we would all report that not only did 'Ruben sing Luther', but that 'Ruben SANG Luther.' With praising hands up in the air, I can attest to the fact that Ruben SANG the soul out of these songs, and probably could have gotten an Amen from this congregation as everyone was smiling in that auditorium as I looked around to assess the crowd's mood. It was such a warm and inviting space that he had created. The room was a safe space, and it was such a nostalgic feeling to reminisce and fathom that it was some 22 years ago that I was telling my parents in front of our family room TV that we needed to pick up the phone and vote for Ruben during the American Idol finals. In 2 decades, it was a beautiful thing to see him still following his passion, and still thriving. Somehow by some miracle, his voice actually sounded better live than I recalled hearing on the TV years ago. He was also more deliberate with his vocal runs this night in Florida than he did while on the show, which demonstrated a high level of musical maturity and experience as he has successfully navigated, and learned from, the music industry after all of these years.
Like a fine wine, Ruben and his voice have only gotten better over time. He sings like a legend well beyond his actual years with such a passion and soul which, at the ripe age of just 46 years, he still has so many albums and tours ahead, hopefully. I sincerely look forward to hearing this wonderful musician's voice continue to melt hearts wherever he goes.
Ruben Sings Luther (Orlando) setlist:
1. Overture / Superstar
2. Give Me the Reason
3. Stop To Love
4. Don't You Know That (2 verses)
5. If Only For One Night
6. Creep
7. Bad Boy (Plus Reprise)
8. Here And Now
9. So Amazing
10. Till My Baby Comes Home
11. Superstar (short version) / guitar solo
12. A House Is Not a Home
13. Power of Love
14. Never Too Much
--Bailey Guinigundo
Studdard won the hearts of millions back in 2003 when he auditioned on American Idol with Stevie Wonder's 'Ribbon in the Sky'. At the time, the Frankfurt West Germany-born Studdard was just a mere 24 years young when he obtained his 3 votes from Simon, Randy, and Paula before going on to dominate that year's competition, ultimately winning Season 2 of American Idol.
During Saturday night's performance, he shared the story of first attending a Luther Vandross concert with his relative, but not being overly excited at the time because Luther's concert wasn't one of the shows he was thrilled to see. Eventually discovering when he sang Luther songs that he would get paid, over time he developed an interest in covering Mr. Vandross' music which led to his eventually performing full concerts as tribute to the legendary singing icon.
Growing up, Ruben was asked by relatives to sing for different events, including weddings. While introducing one of the songs, he admitted that it was "a song that he sang at least 100 times 'for free'" while growing up. The audience was then treated to a beautiful rendition of 'Here and Now.'
Dubbed 'the Velvet Teddybear' by Gladys Knight, the big man from Birmingham AL masterfully graced us with 14 songs in total on this evening, easily demonstrating how the Grammy-nominated balladeer has put out 8 successful studio albums. On this night in Florida, he had the audience standing on their feet dancing the 2-step, while at other times he had us clutching to our seats as we absorbed his angelic baritone voice, with surgical-like precision over the notes he opted to float his voice into.
At one point during the performance, he indicated that it was his hope that we would all report that not only did 'Ruben sing Luther', but that 'Ruben SANG Luther.' With praising hands up in the air, I can attest to the fact that Ruben SANG the soul out of these songs, and probably could have gotten an Amen from this congregation as everyone was smiling in that auditorium as I looked around to assess the crowd's mood. It was such a warm and inviting space that he had created. The room was a safe space, and it was such a nostalgic feeling to reminisce and fathom that it was some 22 years ago that I was telling my parents in front of our family room TV that we needed to pick up the phone and vote for Ruben during the American Idol finals. In 2 decades, it was a beautiful thing to see him still following his passion, and still thriving. Somehow by some miracle, his voice actually sounded better live than I recalled hearing on the TV years ago. He was also more deliberate with his vocal runs this night in Florida than he did while on the show, which demonstrated a high level of musical maturity and experience as he has successfully navigated, and learned from, the music industry after all of these years.
Like a fine wine, Ruben and his voice have only gotten better over time. He sings like a legend well beyond his actual years with such a passion and soul which, at the ripe age of just 46 years, he still has so many albums and tours ahead, hopefully. I sincerely look forward to hearing this wonderful musician's voice continue to melt hearts wherever he goes.
Ruben Sings Luther (Orlando) setlist:
1. Overture / Superstar
2. Give Me the Reason
3. Stop To Love
4. Don't You Know That (2 verses)
5. If Only For One Night
6. Creep
7. Bad Boy (Plus Reprise)
8. Here And Now
9. So Amazing
10. Till My Baby Comes Home
11. Superstar (short version) / guitar solo
12. A House Is Not a Home
13. Power of Love
14. Never Too Much
--Bailey Guinigundo
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