Ruben Studdard *LISTEN HERE*

Born on September 12, 1978, Ruben Studdard is an R&B, pop and gospel singer. As a child, he sang gospel in his local church. Studdard majored in music at Alabama A&M University, graduating in 2000. Two years later, he auditioned on a whim for American Idol, FOX’s hit television talent search show. He not only earned a spot, but won first place in 2003. He earned his first Grammy Award nomination that same year. After releasing his debut album, Soulful (2003), Studdard put out several more records, including I Need an Angel (2004), Love Is (2009) and Letters from Birmingham (2012). In 2013, Studdard competed on the popular weight-loss competition The Biggest Loser.

For his second project, I Need an Angel (2004), Ruben Studdard decided to make a contemporary gospel recording, putting his own spin on such classics as “Shout to the Lord” and Amazing Grace.” In the fall of 2006, the singer contributed to several tracks on his latest effort, The Return (2006). The album initially made a strong showing on the album charts, with the singles “Change Me” and “Make Ya Feel Beautiful” making the R&B and hip-hop charts. But Studdard’s sales weren’t strong enough for his record company, which dropped him in 2007.

Studdard was inspired by his 2008 marriage to Surata Zuri McCants for his next record, Love Is (2009). The couple split up in 2011, but Studdard quickly found new musical inspiration, releasing Letters from Birmingham—his fifth studio project—the following year.

In 2013, Studdard agreed to join the cast of The Biggest Loser. Having struggled with his weight since competing on Idol 10 years earlier, he jumped at the chance to battle his obesity, rearranging his concert schedule in order to accomodate his time on the series. While on the show, Studdard learned that he had type 2 diabetes. During a guest appearance on the Today show, Studdard expressed feeling very fortunate for his Biggest Loser spot: “I most definitely want to be around for a long time,” he said, adding that, for him, the show was “a second chance.”

Unfortunately, Studdard ended up being eliminated from the competition in early November. He discussed his exit from the show in , writing: “I gave all I had … but it just wasn’t enough to keep me on the ranch. I’m glad that I had the courage to come to the ranch and show the world that you’re never too far away to turn and go right. I may not be the ‘Biggest Loser,’ but I am a champion!”

EVENT

Ruben Studdard is participating in fund raising campaign for a documentary that explores the history of the Negro spir-itual. The Normal Hill Jubilee Documentary examines the evolution of an art form closely linked to the history of African Americans and their deep-seated need to express their faith in song.This project will capture the untold stories from historians, freedom riders, and include interviews from celebrities, civil rights activists, and everyday people. In addition, Ruben will select students majoring in Music to support him in his live recording of 10 Negro Spirituals. This inspiring documentary is being constructed to bring Negro spirituals, that were so prominent during the Civil Rights Move-ment in the mid 1900’s, back to the conciseness of the world.

Check out The Normal Hill Jubilee on KickStarter.