TBGB Pick of the Week: September 12, 2011

“Medicine for Someone Else”
Ruben Studdard
From Medicine – Live at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters
MCG Records (2011)
http://www.mcgrecords.com/

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

In an interesting twist on the “pay it forward” mantra, American Idol’s teddy bear of a man Ruben Studdard instructs the audience to turn the lessons of their trials and suffering into “medicine for someone else.” This heartwarming and inspirational piece is on track to be one of TBGB’s best singles of the year.

It’s a fitting reminder, too, on the heels of yesterday’s remembrance of the 9/11 tragedies. Psychologists will back up Studdard’s claim: those who help others also help themselves.

The song was written by Sam “Shake” Anderson, who produced the compilation to benefit the Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas, Texas. Studdard makes the song his own by wrapping it in his warm, vocal embrace.