Remembering the Legendary Lou Rawls with Johnnie Brown

Johnnie Brown brings a tribute to Lou Rawls to The Belvedere at Crooners on Sunday, October 25, with his band backing him on vocals. The show is presented by Crooners Supper Club, and it's a return to the venue for this particular set, which made its debut at Crooners and got a great response.

Brown is a mainstay of regional R&B, born in Mississippi and singing since he was a child in his father's church choir. He's built his career around the 'Sound of Philadelphia,' honoring the artists who inspired him—names like Teddy Pendergrass, Lionel Richie, Lou Rawls, and the O'Jays. This show focuses on Rawls, the smooth, baritone voice that defined a certain era of soul and jazz, and it's part of that same Philadelphia-rooted tradition Brown has worked with for years.

He's not doing this solo. The band includes Taylor Hamilton on keyboards and as music director, Voshon Spelker on drums, Erik Yakk on bass, and Spencer Bradley on lead guitar. With a full rhythm section behind him, the set is built around the vocals rather than a stripped-back arrangement.

The performance runs about an hour and a half, from 7:30 PM to 9 PM, and tickets are $30 to $40. Doors open early at 6:15 PM for dinner and drink service, so you can eat before the music starts. The venue is The Belvedere at Crooners, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis.