In an Auto-Tune world, they don't make singers like Ruben Studdard anymore. And that, dear reader, is a shame. Thankfully, the "Velvet Teddy Bear" has endured to fill in the void left behind by the untimely death of Luther Vandross, his musical icon.
Although Ruben Studdard is best-known for winning the second season of American Idol, in many ways, he has also become the standard-bearer for classic R&B. And as one would expect, Studdard's post-Idol life has been filled with additional personal successes: a budding acting career, a GRAMMY nomination (for "Best Male R&B Vocal Performance"), and a fairytale marriage to the love of his life, Surata Zuri McCants. Coincidentally, Surata would serve as inspiration for Ruben's fourth studio album, Love Is.
Upon the release of Love Is, Ruben Studdard managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on American Idol, "Just Because," and his recording experience with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
In the six years following your American Idol win, you have released four studio albums. Your latest project is entitled Love Is. When you look back on the recording experience for this particular album, what thoughts immediately come to mind?
Excellence. I've always wanted the opportunity to work with some legendary producers. Not that I didn't work with respected producers before but I wanted to work with people that I knew could really help me make the album the people would appreciate for years to come. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis gave me the opportunity to do that, man. I'm just really, really blessed, man, to get the opportunity to work with them, learn from them, sit around and listen to them talk about their experiences, the things that they went through and know that my experiences in the industry aren't completely my own, that everybody has had to pay dues and have gone through similar situations that I've been through. It was very comforting. It was just a very good place to be in this recording process.
How did Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis become attached to this project?
I don't know if you recall Season 7 of American Idol, but I did the farewell song for the person that got voted off the show. The record company that I'm with, 19 Recordings, asked them to do the song and they agreed to do it. After that, we had such a great rapport with each other that they asked them if they'd be willing to produce my album. The rest is basically history, man.
Article comments
1 - carmel
Truly wonderful article. Thank you.
2 - Fan of Ruben
Thank you for such a great article.
3 - Mary
I am so glad you are back with a new cd. I love to hear you sing. I work until the early hours of the morning and every morning, I play Shout to the Lord..Ruben, you are truly an ambassador from Birmingham. You brought the town together during season 2. What I love about your voice is that you are smooth and have such a loving quality when you sing...You are a blessing.