American Idol Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard is releasing a new album that pays tribute to the late R&B music legend Luther Vandross. Ruben Sings Luther is set to come out March 16, and will be followed by a tour.
“My goal was to not only pay tribute to Luther but to add my own passion on top of Luther’s brilliant songs,” said Ruben in a statement.
“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.”
“In my young teens, I would perform a Luther song or two at weddings and people would keep requesting more of his hits,” Ruben added, “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.”
Indeed, Ruben’s “Superstar” cover on American Idol was definitely a highlight of his run on the show and cemented his spot in the Top 12.
“Happily the day has arrived,” he said. “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 “Always and Forever” tour kicks off in Sacramento on April 8.
Ruben Studdard Always and Forever Tour
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
