ABC/Lou RoccoAmerican Idol winner Ruben Studdard is releasing a brand new album that pays homage to late music legend Luther Vandross.
The disc, titled Ruben Sings Luther, arrives March 16. In a statement, Ruben says, “My goal was to not only pay tribute to Luther but to add my own passion on top of Luther’s brilliant songs.”
“It all started with my mom who has always loved Luther and played his music in our home continuously — especially during Christmas. You can say I grew up with the world’s biggest Luther fan.”
He adds, “In my young teens, I would perform a Luther son or two at weddings and people would keep requesting more of his hits. I recorded ‘Superstar’ awhile back…and sang different Luther songs during my live shows. But people always asked when I was going to do an album of Luther’s songs.”
Ruben continues, “Happily the day has arrived. It was a thrilling experience selecting the songs from his different albums and putting my own interpretation on them. I am so proud of this record.”
The Grammy-nominated singer will also embark on a 22-city tour called “Always and Forever” to support the album.
That kicks off in Sacramento, California on April 8.
Here are the tour dates:
4/8 — Sacramento, CA, Crest Theatre
4/12 — Riverside, CA, Fox Performing Arts Center
4/13 — Las Vegas, NV, Texas Station Casino
4/14 — Chandler, AZ, Chandler Center For the Arts
4/15 — El Cajon, CA, Sycuan Casino
4/17 — Denver, CO, Soiled Dove Underground
4/19 — Kent, OH, The Kent Stage
4/20 — St. Charles, IL, Arcada Theatre
4/21 — Jackson, MI, Potter Center/Community College
4/22 — Indianapolis, IN, Schrott Center for the Arts
4/24 — Englewood, NJ, Bergen Performing Arts Center
4/26 — New Brunswick, NJ, State Theatre
4/27 — Boston, MA, The Zeiterion Performing Arts Centre
4/28 — Glenside, PA, Keswick Theatre
4/29 — Beverly, MA, The Cabot Theater
5/2 — Westbury, NY, NYCB Theatre
5/4 — Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun Hotel & Casino
5/5 — Rockville, MD, Robert Parilla PAC at Montgomery College
5/9 — Florida Theatre, Jacksonville, FL
5/10 — Orlando, FL, Hard Rock Hotel
5/12 — Tampa, FL, Straz Center for the Arts/Ferguson Hall
5/13 — West Palm Beach, FL, Kravis Center/Dreyfoos Hall
Copyright © 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
