Peabo Bryson

By Sharon McPherson

I have loved Peabo Bryson since the first time I saw him perform with Patty LaBelle on television many years ago. I was probablly in my late 20s. I attended every concert he has performed for the past four years in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.

The first time I saw him on stage was at the Taste of DC. He was awesome. He has such a soulful voice and what I really adore about him, he is for real, not showy or stuck on himself. He performs with all his heart and soul. The songs he sings are so full of warmth and love. Not only can he sing, he is a talented muscian and song writer. He can sing any type of music. I love his final touch of throwing roses to the ladies at the end of the show. I was fortunate enough to catch a rose and get his autograph.

The second time I saw Peabo was at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC. He performed with Jeffrey Osborne, and Stephanie Mills. I love the way he comes off the stage into the audience and sings to the ladies and holds their hands. I was not close enough for this personal touch, but the show was awesome. Peabo is the consumate performer.

The third and best time I saw him was at Dover Downs, Delaware. He was the only one on the venue. I was so disappointed because my seat was in the nosebleed section. There were three large TV screens. so I was able to see him performing. He can really work the stage and the ladies. Peabo sang his heart out. Wow, I forgot I was in the nosebleed section for awhile. Toward the end of the show, my friend and I decided to leave a bit early to avoid the crowds. We almost made it, however, God must have answered my prayers. Peabo came off the stage and up the center stair case. I was face to face with my idol. He was singing his heart out, and a few ladies were all over him dancing and trying to get hugs. He extended his hand to me and pulled me close. I was in heaven, hugging my idol while he sang. I believe I had an out of body experience, I can't tell you what song he was singing. The hug ended with a kiss on the cheek and another embrace. I was beside myself for the rest of the evening. If there is a heaven, I was there while in his arms, singing to me. I am no spring chicken, older than Peabo, not by much, and I was acting like a high school girl. He continued to perform and before ending the song, he reached out for my hand once again and squeezed it and gave me that big wonderful smile. I was gone. My girlfriend was so happy for me that I was able to get so close to my idol. I have pictures from that show on my desk to remind me of that wonderful evening with my favorite R&B singer.

I continue to follow his tour schedule and have been fortunate to see him perform at Carter Baron Amphitheater in Washington, DC and Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD with Jeffrey Osborne, and Patti Austin. Peabo has had his fair share of trials and tribulations in the past two years or so with the IRS, however, he has continued to sing his heart out.

I have scheduled another tour date with Peabo on July 21, 2005 at the Birchmere In Alexandria Virgina. I can't wait to listen to this man sing once again. He has a velvet voice. I don't understand why he has never been inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is too talented not to be honored. I will continue to follow this artist forever. I will travel the east coast to see him. I am a life long fan.

You too can hear Peabo Bryson's velvet voice.