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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, December 14, 2004 - 12:04 pm
http://noted.blogs.com/westcoastmusic/2004/12/ruben_studdard_.html Ruben Studdard "I Need An Angel" album is number one. Ruben Studdard's debut gospel album, " I Need An Angel," took the #1 spot on the Gospel sales chart this week with sales topping 96,000 copies, also landing at #20 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart. "I Need An Angel" is the highest selling gospel debut since Kirk Franklin's "Nu Nation Project" in 1998. To put this achievement in perspective, the #2 gospel album this week sold only 8,000. The album is Ruben Studdard's follow-up to his multi-platinum 2003 Grammy-nominated debut "Soulful". The lead single "I Need An Angel" was written and produced by award-winning hit maker R. Kelly. In addition, the album contains new Ruben Studdard renditions of many inspirational classics and traditional tunes, including the much-loved classic"Amazing Grace" and the traditional "Fix It Jesus." Additional tracks include "Goin' Up Yonder," "Shout To The Lord," "Restoration," "We Have Not Forgotten" (featuring Fred Hammond), "Ain't No Need To Worry" (featuring Mary Mary), "Center of My Joy" and "Running Back To You." "I have been singing gospel songs since I was a child and I really wanted to go back to my roots with this record." explains Studdard." "My mother was in the local choir. I went to pre-school church and it was a teacher there who first heard me sing. I was doing solos at a young age - my first one was "I'm Yours, Lord." I continued singing in church and in school and I listened to all kind of music at home. Every song on this album has a special meaning to me." Ruben Studdard whose musical journey began in his native Birmingham, Alabama when he sang with the local choir at the age of three chose all the songs for the album, focusing on tunes that have played an important role in his life. Additional producers that contributed to the album include Warryn Campbell (known for his work with gospel duo Mary Mary, Luther Vandross, Brandy and Dru Hill) and Eric Dawkins (of the gospel group Dawkins & Dawkins and writer of songs recorded by Quincy Jones, Tyrese, Commissioned and CeCe Winans). Ruben Studdard, who also won an NAACP Image Award for his debut album "Soulful," spent much of late 2003 and early 2004 touring across the country, giving audiences a first-hand look at why his emotive performances brought him national recognition and acclaim week after week during "American Idol."
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Sadiesmom
Member
03-13-2002
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 9:29 pm
I thought you might like to read a fan review of a recent concert. Ruben review This sounds like Ruben is feeling fine again and he seems to be quite happy. I hope you enjoy this review as much as I did.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, April 11, 2005 - 5:47 am
Life as the 'Velvet Teddy Bear' Ruben Studdard shares experience of fame and all that goes with it By Al Roker Dateline NBC Updated: 11:44 p.m. ET April 9, 2005 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7434572/ They call him "The Velvet Teddy Bear, the loveable, affable singer from Alabama who crooned his way to an "American Idol" championship. But as a new celebrity, Ruben Studdard is discovering there can be some heat under the spotlight, with headlines and concerns about a financial controversy, his health, and his weight. Studdard sat down with NBC’s Al Roker, who knows a thing or two about losing weight, to talk about the perks and the pitfalls of newfound fame. Two years may have passed since Ruben Studdard won American Idol, but judging from the response he gets on the streets of New York City, it's like he's still wearing the crown. Life after "American Idol" has been filled with fame, fortune, new opportunities, but there's also been scrutiny about Ruben's weight, his health and his finances. We asked Ruben all about it in the home to the original amateur night, Harlem's famed Apollo Theater. Al Roker: “What is it about this stage, this theater?” Ruben Studdard: “Everybody has performed on this stage from Duke Ellington to Dizzy Gillespie to James Brown.” Roker: “When did you perform on the stage of the Apollo?” Studdard: “I think it was about a year ago. I performed right here. I was so nervous.” Roker: “More nervous than during ‘American Idol?’” Studdard: “More nervous than ‘American Idol.’ I never watched ‘American Idol’ growing up, but I watched Apollo and I’ve seen a lot of people get booed off this stage.” Roker: “I mean, if you could make it on this stage…” Studdard: “You could make it anywhere.” And 26-year-old Ruben is making it. His two CDs have sold more than two million copies worldwide. Roker: “How's life changed for you?” Studdard: “Life has changed tremendously. You know, firstly everybody knows who I am now and that's just different in and of itself.” Roker: “Do you get used to the fame?” Studdard: “I think you do a little bit. It still kind of blows me to hear myself on the radio.” But being in the public arena leaves you open to more than just adoring fans. It also leaves you open to wisecracking comedians. Roker: “Did they ever bother you, like the jokes or anything like that?” Studdard: “No, that's their job, that's their job to make people laugh And I make jokes on people all the time, so you know that is what it is, man.” While Ruben may not mind jokes about his 400-plus pound frame, he did try to lose weight publicly. He was featured on a diet and exercise program sponsored by the TV show "Extra," a diet he found hard to maintain with his busy schedule. Roker: “Do you think in hindsight that it probably wasn't the best thing to do it publicly?” Studdard: “Well the thing with me was you know, when they came to me with the situation, my only thing was to get in shape, cause I've never had an issue with my weight ever.” Roker: “You're okay right now- you don't really want to lose weight.” Studdard: “Uh huh.” Roker: “You just want to be in shape.” Studdard: “Yeah.” Roker: “Really? Do you think if you lost weight that would change your persona? You know, people have always said to me, you don't want to lose the weight, you won't be the funny weather man anymore. I'll still be...” Studdard: ‘I think everyone in the world should want to be the healthiest person they can be, but it's not about you know well I was fat and now I want to be skinny. I like Ruben. I like being big Ruben. That's me. That's who I am.” Roker: “Did anybody ever come to you and say, oh you’ve got to do like Al Roker did, get a gastric bypass, or Randy Jackson. I mean, that's never crossed your mind?” Studdard: “No, not at all.” And as to reports concerning his health and hospitalization last November, Ruben says weight was not a factor. Studdard: “I had pneumonia man. I went to the doctor and I was like, I just don’t feel well. So he took X-rays of my lungs and stuff.” Roker: “Did it scare you at all?” Studdard: “Oh, a little bit.” Ruben says he's completely recovered. But now he has other problems. He sued his godfather, who was his former manager, claiming he mishandled Ruben's money. His godfather, in a counterclaim, denied any wrongdoing and says Ruben owes him money. Roker: “Was this one of these things where somebody you trusted…” Studdard: “Well you know, I can’t really talk about that right now. I mean, it is what it is. In life you go through situations that you don’t feel like you have to go through and you know, I'm dealing with it and it will be dealt with. And that's all I have to say. It will be dealt with.” Roker: "Is that the danger of achieving so much so fast?" Studdard: “Well you know my mother always told me as a child everybody is looking out for themselves and you have to make sure that you’re looking out for Ruben, so that's exactly what I’m doing right now, is looking out for Ruben.” And that means focusing on his career. In January, Ruben performed at President's Bush's Youth Inauguration Concert, and in Febraury, was on BET's celebration of gospel. And then there's his latest CD topping the gospel charts, “I Need an Angel.” Roker: “Your first album was more rhythm and blues. This new album is gospel. Is that where you're most comfortable?” Studdard: “I'm most comfortable doing any genre of music. You know, I just felt Aretha Franklin did a gospel album in her first few years of her career and I grew up in a church as well as she did. So you know, it really wasn't a far extension from who we were.” Even when he was singing in his church in Birmingham, Ala., as a small child, he dreamed of hitting it big. Studdard: “I’ve actually said my Grammy speech into the playdoh microphone. I've done all that stuff.” Roker: “So you actually made a microphone out of playdoh.” Studdard: “I made a microphone out of everything.” Roker: “Let me hear your Grammy speech.” Studdard: “I’d like to thank my mom for buying me the playdoh to make this microphone. I’d also like to thank my dad who purchased my first record player so I could practice my New Edition steps.” Roker: “New Edition steps?” Studdard: “New Edition, the group New Edition from Boston that was my group, man.” The performer in Ruben is always there. It's what he enjoys most. Roker: “Which is better, doing the studio work or performing for an audience?” Studdard: “Performing for an audience.” Roker: “Why?” Studdard: “Because I like to hear the girls scream.” He may prefer a live audience, but right now Ruben's back in the recording studio, working on his next album which will be R&B. Studdard: “Hopefully we're going to call it the ‘Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear.’ You, know, I’m getting real smooth for the ladies.” And ladies, he is still single. Ruben's also interested in bringing music to children. He's started a foundation to support music education in schools in Southern communities, like his own Birmingham. Roker: “A lot of people in your position would have pulled up stakes and either moved to New York or Hollywood. How come you didn't?” Studdard: “I just like Alabama, man, and plus it's cheap, you know.” Roker: “Ruben, come on. Look at the bling on you. I mean, cheap? Come on?” Studdard: “I mean we have a good time and we still get to keep most of our money in our pockets in Alabama. I love where I'm from and I like being able to go to New York or L.A. and work and then come home.” Home, where his family and friends are and where Ruben feels most comfortable. Studdard: “I'm always going to be country, baby. And that's just who I am.” Ruben's such a homeboy that he seems just as eager for his upcoming 10 year high school reunion, as he does for his next CD. Studdard: “I’m really looking forward to seeing my old classmates and seeing how everybody is doing. Roker: “You'll have this nametag. Hello, my name is Ruben, and so nobody really has to walk up and go, say Ruben what have you been up to?” Studdard: “Well they get to see it all the time…I'm just enjoying all of it . I don’t have any complaints or anything. I am really blessed and I've been given a wonderful opportunity to do the things that I've always wanted to do.” Ruben Studdard has also been meeting with producers about branching out into acting. Last year he filmed a cameo for the movie "Scooby Doo Two,” and just this week guest-starred on a TV sitcom.
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Monday, April 11, 2005 - 7:26 am
Did anyone watch Dateline Last night? They did a piece on Ruben. He weighs over 400 lbs, he was very sweet in the interview with AL Roker but you have to worry about him. The little sound bytes I heard of his album sound very nice. he is still the same old Ruben, as he said I will always be an Alabama boy.
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Monday, April 11, 2005 - 7:55 am
I watched it, mostly, but it was on at the same time as Jane Fopnda on 60 Minutes (for the second week in a row, but part two of the interview that I'm sure was supposed to air last week but got pre-empted because of papal coverage). I was really kind of annoyed that Roker spent so much time talking about his weight, to tell the truth. I know Roker had his weight issues, and the truth is that Ruben is a big guy. But I would rather--and his fans would rather--hear more about his music than about how much he weighs and whether this is a threat to him. I almost felt like they were trying to set up a Ruben stomach reduction surgery or something. The little we got to hear of his singing was great. I confess I didn't get his second CD because contemporary gospel is not really my genre (or gendre, as Beaux would say). If I listen to gospel, and I normally don't, I want to hear some wailing, clapping, and testifyin'.
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Monday, April 11, 2005 - 8:30 am
I agree, they probably wanted to line up their may sweeps, getting ruben ready for staples.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, April 11, 2005 - 9:40 am
Tish, you missed a good CD then . That second CD was very nice and inspiring. It had a couple of old time Gospel tracks that he really did up. And one of the songs on it had one of my kids in tears listening to it...
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Snoopsmom
Member
02-19-2003
| Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 11:30 am
For Ruben fans in the Boston area, Ruben will be appearing at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, MA on August 5th. There are a couple of pre-sale dates to theater members, sale to the general public is 4/23. It's a great place to see a show. Very small and intimate, with a revolving theater in the round.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Wednesday, April 20, 2005 - 7:54 pm
Ruben's version of "Amazing Grace", that's on his "I Need An Angel" CD was played tonight during Jack and Bobby during the Baptism scene! I was so jacked to hear it!
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, April 25, 2005 - 4:05 pm
Dang, Ruben got to perform at the Apollo last week! What a blast for him, I'm sure. It was a benefit performance for a community center in Harlem with Regina Bell, Howard Hewett and others. I wonder if they recorded it, I'd love to see it.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 10:39 am
Ruben Studdard Enlists Mario Winans For Third LP http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1500390/20050419/studdard_ruben.jhtml?headlines=true LOS ANGELES — The breakneck pace at which contestants learn new songs on "American Idol" has stayed with Ruben Studdard. Less than two years after winning the second season, the Birmingham, Alabama, singer is already midway through his third album. "I just left New York the other day working with Mario Winans, so you know it's gonna be a big record," Studdard said of his collaboration with the Bad Boy singer and producer, whose credits include Destiny's Child and Mary J. Blige. While Studdard followed up his Soulful debut with the straight-gospel I Need an Angel, he's returning to his roots for number three. "This is going to be another R&B album," he said. "We're just looking for the best songs, and everybody's really working really hard to make it a great album." Studdard wouldn't reveal other collaborators but did let it slip that he's in the running for a role in an upcoming movie. He caught the acting bug after playing himself in last year's "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" and has been searching for the right role since. Ideally, it's a comedy. "I'm all about the laughs," he said. "I'll do Jim Carrey-style for you if you want me to." Ruben got a quick comedy fix recently when he appeared in the second episode of the new FOX sitcom "Life on a Stick." "I loved it," he said. "But it was a lot of hurry up and wait." — Corey Moss
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 10:56 am
BTW, Tonight on UPN, Ruben Studdard guest stars on ALL OF US as a grown-up version of Bobby (Khamani Griffin) in a flash-forward sequence. (8 p.m.)
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Essence
Member
01-12-2002
| Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 7:48 am
I don't get UPN.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 6:08 am
July 1st Ruben will be performing on the Main Stage at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans with Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, and John Legend ... wahhhh, I wanna go! July 2nd, Fantasia will be on the Main Stage with Destiny's Child, Kanye West, and Teena Marie ... wahhhhh, I have to hit the lotto!
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Essence
Member
01-12-2002
| Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 1:30 pm
Ruben has been nominated for a BET Award for Best Gospel Artist. I doubt if he'll win, he's up against Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, and Cece Winans. Oh and Kanye West is in there too.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 5:23 pm
Kanye west for best Gospel Artist? Oh good grief. Jesus Walks is borderline Gospel at best. And the rest of the CD is totally the opposite way, lol ... but Ruben's Gospel CD is beautiful. There are two songs that regularly make me cry. But against Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond (who appears on Ruben's CD) and my girl CeCe ... but hey, he was nominated and that's awesome!!!!!
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Sadiesmom
Member
03-13-2002
| Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 11:15 am
Ruben and Kim Caldwell are appearing in Las Vegas (Aladdin)3/25
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Kittystj
Member
08-10-2001
| Monday, February 20, 2006 - 1:07 pm
WOW!!!! Way to go!!!
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Sadiesmom
Member
03-13-2002
| Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 10:22 am
Someone harvested unidentified clips from Promosquad that may be samples of Ruben's new album. You can hear them if you scroll down here These are just items being tested, they may not be Ruben, even thought it does sound like him, if they are clips, they may not makethe cut and they could also be remixed. I know people are waiting for the album, just take this as fan gathered information, the accuracy is not guarenteed.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:11 am
Ruben's new album "The Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear" is set to be released in August. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1529363/20060424/index.jhtml?headlines=true
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:35 am
Oh kool I've been wondering about him.
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Jan
Moderator
08-01-2000
| Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 9:35 am
Thanks Ladytex. That's a great interview with Ruben. I laughed when I read: I had an album that came out in 2004 that is almost about to go platinum, my first album went double platinum, I had a #1 single on Christian radio for a long time, and everywhere I went people were asking me where I was," Studdard said from his home in Birmingham, Alabama. "I was like, 'Have you not seen my video on BET or MTV?' Like, my video was on heavy rotation on both stations, and everybody just kept asking me, 'Where are you?' So I thought maybe I just need to name this album something that will catch their attention." and I was wowed when I read: Along with his own music career, Studdard is dedicating his time to making stars out of underprivileged kids in Alabama. In the coming months, he'll launch the Music Alternative Project — an after-school program based in a recording studio in Birmingham. <snip> Studdard is starting the program with Dr. Henry Panion, the director of music technology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and a popular orchestrator in hip-hop and R&B. "I have the Ruben Studdard Foundation and it's a scholarship foundation primarily, but in the last two or three years now we've noticed a certain disparity in the schools, like if you took a poll from kids in my area, most of them would say when they grow up they want to be an athlete or a star," Studdard said. "But none of them know about the business for real. ... So we got together and started brainstorming about how we could keep the kids interested and off the streets, and we thought of this program." Together, Studdard and Panion developed a four-quarter program to be taught by themselves as well as seniors in Panion's UAB program. "The first quarter is basically learning the ins and outs," Studdard said. "The second quarter is the technology end. The third quarter will be more detail-oriented as far as, like, they'll be able to pick the artist they want to work with, pick the single. And then the fourth quarter will be showing them how to promote the album." The Music Alternative Project will start with 25 students and enlist 25 more each quarter, so there will eventually be 100 a year. "Hopefully we can motivate some of these kids to go on and do big things, maybe not being the big-time rapper, but we're gonna show them the ins and outs, royalties, how to run their own label, how to do it all," Studdard said. "I think it's gonna be something great and hopefully we'll get it where we can have it in more areas. I know that I have a busy schedule, but so does Dr. Panion, and I feel like if he can devote as much time as he does to this, I can as well." He really is giving back in a way that matters!
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Jan
Moderator
08-01-2000
| Friday, June 16, 2006 - 8:31 am
Idol' winner Studdard awarded $2M in suit Fri Jun 16, 3:53 AM ET BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - American Idol winner Ruben Studdard has been awarded $2 million in his lawsuit against his ex-manager for misappropriating the singer's money and credit cards. ADVERTISEMENT Studdard, 26, of Birmingham, won the television talent show in 2003 and filed suit last year against ex-manager Ronald W. Edwards and Edwards' promotions company, Sez Inc. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Scott Vowell on Thursday awarded Studdard $500,000 for his actual losses and another $1.5 million in punitive damages, The Birmingham News reported Thursday on its Web site. Vowell dismissed Edwards' promotions company from the suit because it was bankrupt and had no assets. Edwards filed a petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on June 17, 2005. The suit claimed Edwards misused more than $246,000 of the singer's money. According to the judge's ruling, Edwards took money from Studdard's checking and other bank accounts, improperly used his credit cards and even used Studdard's money to repay a $10,000 bank loan. Studdard has sold more than 2.2 million records, but the damage to his credit because of the fraud made it hard to obtain financing to buy a home, Vowell's order said. Yahoo
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Sadiesmom
Member
03-13-2002
| Friday, June 23, 2006 - 1:16 pm
Last night, on the Rita Cosby show, Ruben stated that his album is ainming at a release date of 9/26.
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Friday, June 23, 2006 - 2:18 pm
darn it ... that means it's delayed ... sigh ... okay I can wait ...
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