:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/CJQPFHWDX5GB7O3GD56CXIWCRM.png "North 2 Shore: Eric Roberson and Avery*Sunshine combine for a night of R&B and Soul (1)")
For R&B artist Eric Roberson, a Rahway native, Atlantic City stages were one of the first he stepped on to.
In those early years, he would perform with one of the local choirs, feel the excitement of the boardwalk and get a hot dog, or ice cream, or cotton candy. “Just the energy, the liveliness of that was a new experience,” he says.
After 30 years of concerts, collaborations with artists like Jill Scott, and Billboard Top 20 R&B hits, Roberson is coming home. His show on June 21 at Caesars Resorts is part of the North 2 Shore Festival.
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“Now people are paying to come see (me) knowing songs, singing along and things of that nature,” the two-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer said. “We have come a long way, but this is really the foundation of what people will see at that show. The work and the growth to get to that level started pretty much in New Jersey.”
Even better, Roberson will team up with his friend and fellow recording artist Avery*Sunshine, who quickly agreed.
“I’m doing the show with my dear brother Eric Roberson in Atlantic City where so many summers, my family spent a weekend or a day,” said Avery, who was born across the Delaware River from Jersey in Chester, Pennsylvania.
“It’s a big deal. It’s really a big deal. So I was excited and I still am. I cannot wait. Please know that I’ve got family members coming from near and far to be there for that night and certainly for the festival.”
This reunion of experienced singer-songwriters will include classics from their repertoire, Roberson told Mosaic.
“We are celebrating my 30th year in the business,” he said. “My first song “On the Moon” came out 30 years ago, so I think what we are going to try to do is add a collection of some of my favorite songs over the last 30 years.
Of course, there are certain songs you have to do, you know, like “Lessons,” of course. There’s no way we’re getting off stage without singing that.
But then at the same time, “What I find really special is that Avery*Sunshine is one of my closest friends and we work on a lot of music. I worked on her last several albums and anytime we are on stage together, her stage is mine, my stage is hers, and anything could happen with that.
Roberson also talked about his partnership with the African American Male Wellness Agency, which licensed a song called “Mask” for a Mask Off campaign for men’s mental health that will start in July.
“I’m really excited about that. And the song was a very transparent, emotional song for me to write. I’m glad it has found a home, and I think the song itself, as well as the whole movement is gonna help a lot of people in the near future.”
Roberson — and Sunshine — are also clearly excited about their upcoming show.
“So I would just tell everybody to buckle in their seat belts because I’m sure there’s going to be some stage sharing to some degree. Some enjoyment of both acts (together.)” Roberson said. “We’re going to find some way to make it special and make it different.”
Roberson hinted there may be future collaborations between the two.
“I also think that this show will be a good example of what’s to come with shows between me and her,” he acknowledged. “We’ve been talking a long time about doing some more shows together. We haven’t really done that many, but this is one of the first ones so I think it’s going to be pretty exciting to see her energy, her band, my energy, my band, and how we can cross paths on stage in some capacity.”
Sunshine explained further.
“What’s so amazing is neither of our bands know anything about what we’re going to do,” shared Sunshine, whose musical background is in the church. “Nobody knows and that is what’s so amazing about it.”
The show starts at 8 p.m. For tickets, and additional information about the show, or the North to Shore Festival, visit northtoshore.com.
Mosaic is covering the North 2 Shore festival inside and out, including previews, artist profiles and ticket giveaways.
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