Ruben Studdard

GRAMMY-nominated singer Ruben Studdard first won America over as the season two champion of American Idol—and more than two decades later, that rich, unmistakable voice remains the reason audiences come back. Known as the “Velvet Teddy Bear”—a nickname bestowed by soul legend Gladys Knight—Studdard brings warmth, power, and a voice rooted in the classic soul tradition of artists like Luther Vandross to a concert built around the songs and influences that shaped his career. His platinum-selling debut album, Soulful, introduced a major R&B voice with hits including “Flying Without Wings” and “Sorry 2004″—which climbed to #2 on the Billboard R&B chart—while earning Studdard a GRAMMY nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. His gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel, expanded his reach with audiences across R&B, gospel, and adult contemporary music. Over the years, Studdard has continued to record, tour, and perform with a voice that remains smooth, emotional, and instantly recognizable. Studdard’s career also extends beyond the recording studio. He starred as Fats Waller in the national tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’, which led to a GRAMMY-nominated cast recording, and recently reunited with fellow American Idol alum Clay Aiken for Twenty The Tour, celebrating 20 years since their landmark season.