Studdard excited about Jamaican performance
Published:Sunday | February 6, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:Patrons attending next Saturday's Palmyra Foundation benefit concert at The Palmyra Resort and Spa, Montego Bay, are being warned by star performer Ruben Studdard to prepare for a show with distinction.
"I want Jamaicans to feel as if they are in my living room," said the 2003 American Idol winner, who is billed to perform on night two of the Valentine's weekend event.
"When I perform I want people revelling in a personal experience, and that's why I involve my fans in the show," he added.
He is billed to share the spotlight with the likes of Jamaican jazz and blues icon, Myrna Hague and the Dwight Richards band.
Studdard, who cut his recording studio time in Los Angeles, California last Wednesday in order to talk with The Sunday Gleaner, said he was excited about coming to the island after his first trip here four years ago.
"My Jamaican experience was amazing. I visited the Bob Marley musoleum, while my brother and I vacationed in Discovery Bay," he revealed.
Stating that while growing up he was a huge fan of Buju Banton, Bob Marley and Sean Paul, the Ruben Studdard that concert goers will see up-close and personal at the poolside of the new Montego Bay Resort has added I Wayne and Morgan Heritage to his favourite tunes.
"My favourite song is One Man Can't Satisfy [Can't Satisfy Her] by I Wayne and I like Morgan Heritage because they are real musicians, their music is different, it has a strong R&B sound, even though they are a reggae band," said Studdard.
Fresh from an Asian tour, with plans to go back on the road this summer in the United States, Studdard, who will take his fifth album on the road, says he is making much of his performance about love.
"Everybody calls me the teddy bear, so I am gonna give the women what they are looking for."
The singer who pens a lot of his own music, said he hadn't given his new album a name as yet.
In the meantime, the billboards have been erected outside the Solis Palmyra Resort in the tourism capital announcing the event, and maybe no one is more excited than The Palmyra Foundation spokesperson, Ragni Trotta about the man, who throughout his music career, has earned his share of awards and nominations, including Favourite Male Soul/R&B Artiste at the American Music Awards, Best Male R&B Performance at the Grammys, Best New Soul/R&B or Rap Artiste at the Soul Train Awards and Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Artiste at the BET Awards.
"The Palmyra Foundation is absolutely delighted to host such a big star at our Saturday event. Ruben's story perfectly embodies the message that you can be successful if you are willing to work hard towards your goal. He is an inspiration to us all," said Trotta.
The weekend event aims at raising money for books for four and five-year-old school children for the 2011-2012 school year.
The weekend kicks off on Friday with the Tropical Reggae Beach Concert with headliner Third World Band, beloved singer Tarrus Riley, saxophonist Dean Fraser and singer Tessanne Chin.
On Sunday, there will also be a beach party to cap off the weekend.