Raymond and Brown Tour on a Creative and Artistic Roll Since Denver's Mile High Kick-Off: Bringing Memorable Performances to Denver, Minneapolis, Detroit and Cleveland With Stadiums Filled to Capacity

When I saw the first video footage in a video clip the morning after the kick-off concert in Denver, I was quite honestly simply wonderstruck by the fantastic light show and stage art design. Especially liked Usher's background show where a chess board was portrayed kind of holographically throughout the song performance. He has such a smooth and cool stage presence and an impressive majestic command of what was the vast audience before him. 

Throughout the show how Brown paid tribute to Michael Jackson, Prince and other r&b artists was heartening. I particularly liked his performance of Residuals where the hood of a car was used as his stage and all the lights glowing in the backdrop from what appeared to be Los Angeles, provided an amazing backdrop.

 Detroit's show was as energy packed as Denver's. The crowd really enjoyed Chris coming down from the stage, mingling and dancing with some of the audience. The performance of New Flame where Chris and Usher danced and sang together was great to see after all the build up and pre-concert enthusiasm expressed by both of them about working together. To actually see it accomplished was heartwarming. Of course, Chris flying through the air had everyone excited and probably on the edge of there seats and on pins and needles.

Here's a video recorded by a fan at the second night's concert at Ford Field in Detroit. And, a link to an experience shared by a seasoned Detroiter who had an absolute blast! 

The concerts on both nights have been  spectacular. The combination of these two entertainment icons performing live at a huge stadium with capacity crowds surpassing 50,000 created quite a buzz.  

Clip from Minneapolis:

Clip from Cleveland:

Forthcoming via link

While I thoroughly have enjoyed watching the amazing concert videos and live streams,what has been most notable about the tour is the way the artists have opened up access and opportunities for our youth as well as fans in general. Usher through his non-profit Usher's New Look , 10 interns have had the paid opportunity to learn what goes on behind the scenes of such a large production. And the tour has recently sent out a call to the pubic to apply for paid positions to participate in the actual stage concert performance as background extras.

As for the relationship of all of the foregoing in terms of its theological implications and relationship to serving God, giving back to the community that has contributed to your wealth and success is one of the things that god loves us to do. "Love your neighbor as yourself" and God loves a cheerful giver are starters for discussion. Scripture also calls upon  us to make a joyful noise to the lord. There is evidence of that a d some sounds that may be a little risqué. That will be discussed in the follow-up podcast.

Please tune into my podcast to learn more about my coverage of this and other concert and music events as well as how music plays and has played a role in our relationship with god in gospel music, jazz, blues and R&B.

God bless you and continued success to Usher and Chris on this tour. Shout out to the fans as well.

Cynthia Wilson,

Founder,Editor & CEO

Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks

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