Bryson, McCoo, Davis Jr., Studdard and Whatley Bring The COLORS OF CHRISTMAS To The McCallum Theatre

The McCallum Theatre presents Colors of Christmas on Friday, December 8, at 8:00pm. A holiday tradition at the McCallum, Colors of Christmas celebrates its 25th anniversary with Peabo Bryson, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., Ruben Studdard and Jody Whatley.

Born in South Carolina, Peabo Bryson began singing at age 14. Two years later, in 1968, he left home to tour, gaining experience that would prepare him for a solid career. In 1976, he released his debut album Peabo. He followed with such albums as the Gold selling Reaching for the Sky (1977), Crosswinds (1978),and Born to Love (1983) with Roberta Flack which included the smash hit "Tonight I Celebrate My Love."

His 1989 Gold album All My Love earned Peabo his first R&B #1 single with "Show & Tell." With "If Ever You're in My Arms Again," he scored a crossover hit and solidified his mainstream status. He hit the top of the R&B charts again with the title track from Can You Stop the Rain (1991). Peabo released Live in Concert: Ladies' Request (2005) and The Very Best of Peabo Bryson (2006), a compilation of his biggest hits. With Missing You (2007), the twentieth album of his career, Peabo showcased the broad palette of his skills. He is the first artist in music history to have separate records topping four different charts.

It was two songs for Disney animated films that earned Peabo his two Grammys. The first was for the #1 hit with the theme from 1991's Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion. Peabo received another Grammy for "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)" from Aladdin. Both "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World" won Oscars for "Best Song."

As an actor, Peabo appeared in the lead role for the touring production of Raisin (based on Raisin in the Sun) and as The Wizard in a touring company of The Wiz. In 1998, he appeared in the Michigan Opera Theater's 100th Anniversary production of Porgy and Bess.

He recorded two songs for the soundtrack for the Barney movie. He also released three Christmas CDs, filled with music from his annual touring holiday music extravaganza The Colors of Christmas.

An avid golfer, Peabo will never turn down a chance to "hit a few balls," and has participated in numerous tournaments. To his family, he is simply a big brother, dedicated father and, most importantly, 'Pop-Pop,' handsome singer of love ballads.

Peabo Bryson is, at his intimate best, a legendary vocalist offering a timeless mix of pop and soul as only he can. With a loyal fan base, critical acclaim and an avalanche of awards, he is one of the "truly best friends" a song could ever have.

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. have enjoyed success as recording artists, performers and authors, earning seven Grammy Awards, fifteen Gold, and three Platinum records.

As lead vocalists for The 5th Dimension, they recorded numerous hits, including "Up, Up & Away," "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In," "Wedding Bell Blues," and "One Less Bell To Answer." After a decade with The 5th Dimension, Billy and Marilyn left the group to work as a duo and earned a Grammy with "You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show)."

In the early '90s, Billy and Marilyn joined the original members of The 5th Dimension for a reunion tour. In 1997, Arista Records released an anthology CD of the group's hit releases entitled Up, Up & Away: The Definitive Collection.

As solo artists, Marilyn hosted television's "Solid Gold" for 5 years and, in the '90s, starred on Broadway in the revival of Show Boat. Billy recorded a religious album, Let Me Have a Dream, with gospel great Rev. James Cleveland; starred in the musical Blues in the Night at the Old Globe Theatre; and as James "Thunder" Early in a regional production of Dreamgirls.

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis have performed at events, including the 1987 U.S. visit of Pope John Paul II, and in presidential inaugural celebrations. In 2004, they released their book Up, Up and Away...How We Found Love, Faith and Lasting Marriage in the Entertainment World.

Ruben Studdard was born in Frankfurt, Germany, while his father was stationed there with the U.S. Army. Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, he started singing in his local church choir when he was around 3 years old. At Alabama A&M University, he put aside a possible career in football to major in music,

He auditioned on a whim for "American Idol" and not only earned a spot, but won first place in 2003. Guest judge Gladys Knight dubbed him "The Velvet Teddy Bear" for his smoothly soothing vocal style. Shortly after the win, Ruben released his debut single, a cover of Westlife's "Flying Without Wings."

After completing a 39-city tour with his fellow competitors, he returned to record his first album, Soulful. Advance orders for the album topped the 1 million mark before it was even released in December 2003.The Platinum-selling Soulful was followed by the top-selling contemporary gospel album I Need an Angel in 2004. Other albums include Love Is (2009) and Letters from Birmingham(2012), a concept album about the ups and downs of modern romance.

In 2008, he starred as Fats Waller in a national tour revival of Ain't Misbehavin', which spawned a Grammy-nominated soundtrack

Grammy winning Pop/R&B/Dance artist Jody Watley was named "one of the most prominent visionaries of her era" by Wax Poetics magazine, one of America's 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine, and one of the Greatest Dance Club Artists of All Time by Billboard Magazine in 2016. Jody Watley is also an award-winning songwriter with BMI.

Classic hits include "Don't You Want Me," "Looking for a New Love," "Real Love," "Still a Thrill" and "Friends" and the Top 10 ballad "Everything." With millions of albums sold, Jody's catalogue spans decades and crosses genres. Add groundbreaking ad campaigns like GAP and fashion layouts and you understand why she is regarded as a music legend and an influential force.

Jody is also the distinct sound of the group Shalamar as the original female lead vocalist on soul classics like "Take That to the Bank" and "A Night to Remember." It's also her modus operandi with SRL, her new vocal dance trio. In a short time, SRL has taken their dynamic concert experience to sold out concerts around the United States and internationally. SRL's full length Bridges was released in 2017 and they continue to cover new ground and get fans in the mood with one of the most dynamic and unique concert experiences touring today.

Jody's current release is the critically acclaimed EP Paradise with hit singles and videos "Nightlife" and "Dancer."

Tickets for this performance are priced at $107, $87, $67 and $57. Tickets are available at the Theatre's website at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-ARTS.

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