ruben studdard

Ruben Studdard (2007) Background information Birth name Christopher Ruben Studdard Born September 12, 1978 (1978-09-12) (age 30)

Frankfurt am Main, Germany[1] Origin Birmingham, Alabama

United States Genre(s) Pop, R&B, gospel Occupation(s) Singer, actor Years active 2003–present Label(s) 19 Records (2003-present)

J Records (2003-2007)

Hickory Records (2008-present) Website www.rubenstuddard.com

Christopher Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978) is an American pop, R&B, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol. He received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar."

In the years following Idol, Studdard has released three studio albums. His fourth album is expected to be released in May 2009.

In addition to appearing on various television shows he has toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama Heaven I Need a Hug and in 2008 accepted the role of Fats Waller in a national tour of Ain't Misbehavin'. [2] Contents [hide] 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Personal life 1.3 American Idol 2003 1.4 2003-2004: Soulful 1.5 2004: I Need An Angel 1.6 2006-2008: The Return 1.7 2009-Present: Love IS 2 Acting 3 Awards and nominations 4 Discography 4.1 Albums 4.2 Singles 4.3 Other albums 5 Filmography 6 References 7 External links //

Biography

Early life

Studdard, who was born in Frankfurt, Germany while his father was stationed there with the U.S. Army, grew up in Birmingham, Alabama.[3] The youngest son of two teachers, at the age of three he sang for the first time at the Rising Star Baptist Church in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. He continued singing gospel in church, performing solos as a child while his mother sang in the local choir. While at Huffman High School, he played football for which he received a scholarship to Alabama A&M University. While there he joined the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity.

After growing up listening to his mother's Donny Hathaway albums, Fred Hammond, and gospel music, Studdard began to pursue a career in the music industry, majoring in voice studies at Alabama A&M. He sang with Just a Few Cats, a popular local Birmingham jazz and R&B band founded by members of Ray Reach's UAB Jazz Ensemble, along with other local musicians. "A lot of people don't realize how hard I was trying to get into the business before American Idol," Studdard related several years later. "I was making demos and just working so hard."[4] A back-up singer from Just a Few Cats asked him to accompany her to Nashville, Tennessee for an audition on the 2003 second season of "American Idol".

Personal life

On June 28, 2008, Studdard married Surata Zuri McCants in a short, private ceremony outside of Birmingham, Alabama. There was no singing during the 30-minute ceremony - just an exchange of vows, prayers, and music provided by a string ensemble. Studdard wore a black tuxedo with white bow tie for