Usher: Downsized But Still Doing It For The Ladies (And Some Men)

The music industry is getting smaller and smaller.

No one knows that better than former chart-topping R&B superstar Usher.

The LaFace/Zomba recording artist, who has been through a whirlwind of very grown-up, real-life changes (on again/off again wedding plans, management shuffling, family drama) over the course of the past two years, is taking his show on the road.

This time, though, it won't be the super-sized arenas Usher once dominated when his monster album 'Confessions' catapulted him to the the pop charts with a string of hits. For the "Sony Ericsson Presents: Usher's One Night Stand Ladies Only Tour," the 30-year-old singer will play a "special" 14-city tour aiming to give his fans the opportunity to get up close and personal.

"I feel like I've had such a connection with my audience," the five-time Grammy Award winner said, "So what better way to get up close and personal than to make it all women?"

Usher Pictures

Singer Usher performs during the 2008 NFL Kickoff at Columbus Circle on September 4, 2008 in New York City..2008 NFL Kickoff - Show.Columbus Circle.New York, NY United States.September 4, 2008.Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (15994388), contact FilmMagic.com

WireImage.com

Usher performs during the 2008 NFL Kickoff at Columbus Circle on September 4, 2008 in New York City..2008 NFL Kickoff - Show.Columbus Circle.New York, NY United States.September 4, 2008.Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com..To license this image (15993765), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Intimate venues such as New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom (Nov. 3) and Atlanta's Tabernacle (Nov. 10) have been confirmed, alongside the Chicago, Houston and Dallas outposts of the House of Blues chain. The tour officially kicks off at Atlantic City's premiere showplace, The Borgata Event Center, on Nov. 2.

Although it's an exciting and an ambitious idea to do a show catering to one gender, it may not be the most fiscally sound.

That's why it comes as no surprise that reports have surfaced that a rep for Usher's label clarified that although ladies may be the focus of the tour, men are more than welcome to attend the shows.

Usher's latest album, 'Here I Stand' was released in May and sold 443,000 copies in its first week of release. The latest single is titled 'Trading Places.'

Reader Comments

1. My boy "ursher" look like he packing a ham!!!!

justice at 8:07PM on Oct 13th 2008

2. I JUST LOVE ME SOME USHER....

30ac&aml at 9:06PM on Oct 13th 2008

3. There's NOTHING downsized about that crotch, tho!! crikey!!!

kidawa at 1:20AM on Oct 14th 2008

4. ask his wifey....he need to be packing some game instead of being a sucker..think with the right head

Jim at 10:49AM on Oct 14th 2008

5. Usher will always be a sexy talented man.

sandra at 2:05PM on Oct 14th 2008

6. girl i just want 2 kno wht in thoses pants mmmm mabe a sock lol

missmeme at 3:09PM on Oct 14th 2008

7. USHER BABY YOU STILL GOT IT GOING ON.

Ms Thickness at 4:14PM on Oct 14th 2008

8. Usher will never be washed up. Stop hating. I am not young but I love Usher's performances.

Brenda at 4:24PM on Oct 14th 2008

9. micheal jackson use to grab his crotch too..and he turned out to be a pervert mick is 50.....Usher is 30 he,s old now who cares about Usher dumb decisions, chris brown got far better moves.....go CHRIS BROWN

junebugg at 4:35PM on Oct 14th 2008

10. A CLOSE UP OF USHER GRABBING HIS CROTCH LOOKS STUPID..USH IS TO OLD TO BE GRABBING HIS CROTCH NOW.. HE JUST RODE HIS X LIKE ALL OF THE OTHER GUYS ....LISTEN TO YO MOMA BOY.....YOU ARE THE BABY DADDY!!!!!!X2....THAT BABY MUST BE UGLY..HAS ANYBODY SEEN HIM

junebugg at 4:53PM on Oct 14th 2008

11. Usher's tickets Sales are a lil high for a married man and a 1 1/2 piece..I'm just sayin'...I want to see him but not pay for the Children's College Fund

FoxyBrownPHL at 5:04PM on Oct 14th 2008

12. I like Usher and all. But there are so many new artists that need to be recognized. Please check out Bray Tarver at www.myspace.com/blt31. He's hot and ready for the stage!!!

ELizabeth at 2:02AM on Oct 15th 2008

13. Usher will always be da man! Keep doin what you do Usher Raymond!

Renea at 10:34AM on Oct 15th 2008

14. Yes, Usher is the man. He's been through alot and has grown into the most sexiest and the most talented artist out there. Plus him and his mom is back on track. Hopefully he's finally coming to his senses and getting out from that ugly wife he married.

kroebuck at 11:00AM on Oct 15th 2008

15. Usher and his son was on the cover of essence or ebony magazine and he is absolutely adorable. That is not nice to call his son ugly because he is no way near that.

selene mack at 3:28PM on Oct 15th 2008

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