(starpulse.com) - American Idol winner Ruben Studdard will celebrate New Year's Eve in Hawaii to appear in a free concert called "Gospel Goes Classic," being put on by Word of Life. Members of the Honolulu Symphony are also expected to play as well as other special guests. Ruben recently released his newest album The Return which reached #3 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and #8 on the Billboard Top 200 albums. His hit single "Change Me" was the #1 most added song at Urban Radio in it's first week. With the help of hot R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo and renowned producer Scott Storch, The Return was one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year.
Ruben Studdard is back with a new album, a new look and his signature velvet sound. Legendary artist Gladys Knight dubbed him the "Velvet Teddy Bear" right before he won American Idol: Season 2 back in 2003. He followed up his win with Soulful in 2003 which went Platinum and I Need an Angel in 2004 which went Gold. During his two year hiatus Ruben took stock and decided to commit to change his life for a healthier existence. He shed some weight and got back in the studio healthier, happier and ready to return to mainstream music singing love songs just for his fans.