Harris Center for the Arts is gearing up to welcome Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken to the Folsom stage next month. The nationally recognized duo is set to entertain in Folsom on Nov. 10.
Due to overwhelming demand, and on the heels of the first leg of their critically acclaimed Twenty | The Tour, multi-platinum recording artists and American Idol favorites Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken are hitting the road again for the second leg of their reunion tour. Called a “pitch perfect, flawless show,” Twenty | The Tour highlights the music that made Ruben & Clay American Idol favorites and household names. From Clay’s iconic rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to Ruben’s soulful single ”Flying Without Wings,” join America’s favorite odd couple for an unforgettable evening of music and memories, spanning two decades, delivered as only these true superstars can.
Ruben & Clay are thrilled to reunite twenty years after captivating audiences during their historic run on the second season of Fox’s American Idol in 2003. Both plucked from the relative obscurity of their hometowns in the South, the unlikely pair quickly became audience favorites instrumental in helping propel Idol to the top of the Nielsen ratings, nearly tripling the viewership of the previous season, and securing its place as one of
the most consequential TV series in American history. Over 38 million viewers tuned in to hear the results of more than 124 million votes cast during their finale making it the most watched Idol episode in history and the highest rated regularly scheduled, live, non-sporting television episode of the 21st century. Combined they have recorded twelve albums, sold more than eight million albums worldwide, toured the country 14 times, starred together on Broadway, won four Billboard Music Awards, an American Music Award, and have been nominated for two Grammys.
Clay Aiken most recently starred on Broadway in Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show at the Imperial Theater. The New York Times called the production “A Christmas Miracle.” This came ten years after Clay’s critically lauded Broadway debut in Monty Python’s Spamalot. Catapulting to fame on season two of American Idol, he became the first Idol alum in history to have his first single debut at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, to have a single certified platinum, and to have an album certified triple platinum. As a concert artist he’s played some of the most iconic venues in North America, including on the 2003 Independent Tour which Clay co- headlined with Kelly Clarkson. Clay’s album, Measure Of A Man, also debuted at #1 with the highest first week sales by a debut artist. His 2004 holiday release, Merry Christmas With Love, set a record for the fastest selling holiday album of the SoundScan era and remains tied for the highest charting debut of a holiday album in Billboard history. He served nine years as a UNICEF Ambassador and in 2003, he co-founded, with Diane Bubel, what is now the National Inclusion Project to advocate and increase opportunities for children with disabilities to be included in extracurricular activities (such as summer camps and after-school programs) with their non-disabled peers. Additional TV appearances include: 30 Rock, The Office, Scrubs, Days of Our Lives, and Law & Order: SVU. Additional 2nd place finishes include: The Celebrity Apprentice in 2012 and the NC 2nd District US House race in 2014. Beyond
all of his successes (and near successes) his proudest accomplishment remains his son, Parker.
Ruben Studdard rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol and 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 six studio albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful, and the top-selling gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel. He is most well-known for his recording career, which has produced hits including “Flying Without Wings,” “Sorry 2004,” and “Change Me,” but he has also segued into television and stage work. Most notably, he toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama I Need a Hug and in 2008 starred as Fats Waller in a national tour revival of Ain’t Misbehavin, which spawned a Grammy-nominated soundtrack. Studdard most recently appeared on the 15th season of The Biggest Loser. Ruben Sings Luther (a tribute to Luther Vandross) the album was re-released on October 23rd, 2019, and includes a new tune. The album is available via all streaming and download platforms. “Ruben Sings Luther,” the North American concert tour is on its third national run. In November of 2019, Ruben returned to the Broadway stage with fellow American Idol finalist and best friend, Clay Aiken, in their critically-acclaimed, Ruben and Clay’s First Annual Christmas Show. During American Idol, Studdard gained the nickname “Velvet Teddy Bear” and was noted for his shirts printed with “205,” the telephone area code of his hometown of Birmingham. Alabama Governor, Bob Riley declared March 11, 2003, as “Ruben Studdard Day”.
Individual tickets range from $65-$95, including fees, and are available at the Box Office at (916) 608-6888, or online at HarrisCenter.net. Box Office hours are Tuesday- Friday from 12:00pm-5:00pm, and one hour before showtime. The show is scheduled to begin at 7:30 on Nov. 10.
About Harris Center for the Arts
Long envisioned as a critically important element for Folsom Lake College, the visual and performing arts center was initially conceived as a facility to instruct, develop, and guide talented students to become actors, musicians, dancers, visual artists, and behind-the-curtain technicians. The scope and size of the Center expanded significantly with a 2003 feasibility study which validated the need for a facility that could also serve as a regional arts center for the greater community.
In 2004, the project proposal approved by the Los Rios Board of Trustees was submitted to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for final funding approval in the 2005-06 budget year. Construction of the $50 million project began in July 2008, supported by a State Educational Facilities General Obligation Bond, Local Measure A Bond, other District resources, and donations to the Folsom Lake College Foundation.
In February, 2011, the Center opened as “Three Stages at Folsom Lake College” and by the end of its second full season it had already attracted over 300,000 patrons to its offerings. In August, 2012, the Los Rios District Board of Directors announced the renaming of the facility to the “Harris Center for the Arts,” honoring Chancellor Emeritus Brice Harris who, during his tenure, oversaw a doubling of the size of the District, including the development of Folsom Lake College. He, together with then President of the College Thelma Scott-Skillman, was perhaps most responsible for seeing the vision of a Regional Performing Arts Center for the community realized.
The 80,000-square-foot center includes three stages and is located at Folsom Lake College. Before Covid-19, it hosted more than 400 events per year. The venue, initially called Three Stages at Folsom Lake College, opened in 2011. It temporarily closed in July 2020, as the pandemic disrupted entertainment venues nationwide.
