Ruben Studdard

Christopher Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978) is an American pop music singer who rose to fame as winner of the second season of the American Idol television program.

Early life

Studdard, the youngest son of two teachers, sang for the first time at the Rising Star Baptist church in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 3. 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 and received a football scholarship to Alabama A&M University.

Related Topics:
Rising Star Baptist church - Birmingham, Alabama - Huffman High School - Alabama A&M University

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After growing up listening to his mother's Donny Hathaway albums, Fred Hammond, and gospel music, Studdard began to persue a career in the music industry, majoring in voice studies at Alabama A&M, graduating in 2000. A backup singer from Just A Few Cats, a popular local Birmingham jazz and R&B band with whom Studdard sang, asked him to accompany her to Nashville, Tennessee for an audition on the second season of FOX's American Idol.

Related Topics:
Donny Hathaway - Fred Hammond - 2000 - Just A Few Cats - Nashville, Tennessee - FOX

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