Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images
When Ruben Studdard won American Idol in 2003, there was no doubt the then 24-year-old reminded us of the incomparable Luther Vandross. Throughout his career Studdard has paid tribute to the legendary singer (remember he and Lalah Hathaway‘s incredible cover of If This World Were Mine in 2014?) and plans to continue honoring his legacy with the all Luther everything, Always & Forever Tour.
He tells TV One exclusively, “I knew I couldn’t imitate Luther. The music on the tour had to be totally authentic. My goal was to re-interpret and do my own thing on top of what Luther already brought to the songs.”
And while Studdard was confident in his abilities, the Grammy nominated singer sought out to find the perfect background vocalist to accompany him. “I wanted to give a young singer the opportunity to sing on tour…Luther also started out as a background singer.”
The first leg of the Always & Forever tour kicks off April 7 in Cabazon, California. To catch Ruben in your city and to see additional tour dates visit his website.
And just in case you needed a reminder of just how incredible the Birmingham, Alabama native’s voice is and how he expertly covers Luther, watch him sing, A House Is Not A Home below.
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