R&B icon Charlie Wilson is bringing the ultimate soul-infused celebration to fans this summer with his Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour, produced by Live Nation Urban and P Music Group featuring an all-star lineup of legendary acts including Babyface, K-Ci Hailey and El DeBarge. The nationwide tour kicks off on August 27th at the prestigious Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and will travel across major cities, delivering an unforgettable night of timeless hits, powerhouse vocals, and feel-good vibes.
With decades of chart-topping success between them, Wilson, Babyface, Hailey and DeBarge will take fans on a journey through some of R&B’s most cherished classics. Charlie Wilson’s catalog includes anthems from his time as the co-founder and lead singer of The Gap Band, such as Outstanding, Yearning for Your Love, and Burn Rubber, along with solo hits like There Goes My Baby, I’m Blessed, and Charlie, Last Name Wilson. Together, this lineup promises a night filled with timeless music.
Babyface’s expansive catalog of love songs, including Whip Appeal and Every Time I Close My Eyes, is matched only by the chart-topping hits he’s written and produced for other artists—among them Whitney Houston’s Exhale (Shoop Shoop), Boyz II Men’s End of the Road and I’ll Make Love to You, Tevin Campbell’s Can We Talk, and Bobby Brown’sDon’t Be Cruel and Roni.
K-Ci’s signature voice and timeless discography will help set the tone for an unforgettable night. From Jodeci classics like Come and Talk to Me and Forever My Lady to K-Ci & JoJo’s chart-topping ballads All My Life and Crazy, along with his soulful take on Bobby Womack’s If You Think You’re Lonely Now, his set promises both nostalgia and raw emotion.
Rounding out the cookout line up is the incomparable El DeBarge, whose silky falsetto defined an era and helped shape the sound of modern R&B. As the lead vocalist of DeBarge, he delivered timeless hits like Rhythm of the Night and I Like It, songs that blended soul, pop, and funk in a way that resonated across generations.
Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour promises to deliver a must-see cultural experience that celebrates legacy, love, and the timeless spirit of Black music. More than just a concert, this tour brings the feeling of a family reunion to the stage, where generations come together, classics get a second wind, and soul meets celebration. With a lineup of legendary voices and chart-topping anthems, the tour is set to be a vibrant reminder of the power R&B holds in shaping culture, healing hearts, and bringing people together. From the cookout vibes to the sing-along moments, every stop on this tour is designed to feel like home.
“This tour is unlike anything I’ve done before. As someone who truly loves R&B, getting to share the stage with my friends Babyface, K-Ci, and El is something I’m really looking forward to,” says Charlie Wilson. “I’ve been performing for so long that my audience isn’t just made up of fans, it really has become a family. Over the years, I’ve come to recognize so many faces, and we’ve grown together through the music. The R&B cookout is gonna be one big family reunion for us and our fans.”
Michael Paran, CEO of P Music Group, shares, “The idea for Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour came naturally because of the bond Charlie has built with his fans and the relationships I’ve developed with Babyface, K-Ci, and El. I’ve seen firsthand how their music brings people together like family, laughing, dancing, and reminiscing on early memories. This tour is about more than just great performances. It’s about capturing that feeling—the joy, the energy, and the nostalgia you feel when you’re surrounded by genuine love. Instead of building the perfect cookout playlist, I wanted to bring it to life with some of the greatest songs we’ve shared memories to and grown up on.”
Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour isn’t just a concert, it’s a family reunion set to the soundtrack of R&B’s most timeless hits. Charlie Wilson, Babyface, K-Ci Hailey, and El DeBarge will bring the heart and soul of a classic cookout to every city, creating an atmosphere where fans are more than just an audience, they’re family. With electrifying performances, nostalgic anthems, and feel-good vibes, this tour is a celebration of community, connection, and the music that has defined generations. Get ready to sing, dance, and reminisce, because at this cookout, everyone is invited.
Produced by Live Nation Urban and P Music Group, Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour will visit 20+ cities, including stops in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and Houston. Fans can expect a high-energy, soul-stirring experience that brings the heart of R&B to life on stage.
In select cities, fans can elevate their night with an exclusive all-you-can-eat VIP cookout experience. This one-of-a-kind pre-show event brings the backyard to the venue with a curated menu of classic cookout favorites, specialty cocktails, and laid-back vibes inspired by the culture that raised us. From the food to the music to the fellowship, it’s the perfect way to kick off an unforgettable evening of R&B legends. Availability is limited and only offered in select markets.
Tickets will be available for pre-sale starting today at 12 PM local time through Thursday, April 17 at 10 PM local time with code: cookout. The public on sale will begin Friday, April 18 at 10 AM local time. All tickets can be purchased at unclecharliescookout.com.
Wed 8/27 – Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Bowl*
Fri 8/29 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion*
Fri 9/5 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Sat 9/6 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Sun 9/7 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Thu 9/11 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Fri 9/12 – New York, NY – Jones Beach Amphitheater
Sat 9/13 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
Sun 9/14 – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann
Fri 9/19 – Raleigh, NC – Coast Union Music Park
Sat 9/20 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Arena
Sun 9/21 – Virginia Beach, VA – United Home Amphitheater
Fri 9/26 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Sat 9/27 – Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheater
Sun 9/28 – Dallas, TX – Toyota Music Pavilion
Fri 10/3 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Arena**
Sat 10/4 – Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park*
Sun 10/5 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Fri 10/10 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater
Sat 10/11 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater*
Sun 10/12 – Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum
(*No El DeBarge)| (**No Babyface)
Social Links:
Charlie Wilson | Babyface | K-Ci Hailey | El DeBarge
ABOUT P MUSIC
P Music Group is a renowned full-service music company and record label known for chart-topping records, sold-out tours, and a legacy rooted in artistic integrity and cultural impact. Home to icons like Charlie Wilson, Babyface, Jodeci, K-Ci Hailey, and Johnny Gill, the company has helped shape the sound of R&B and soul for over two decades. Under the leadership of Michael Paran, P Music Group continues to drive the culture forward through smart strategy and a deep commitment to quality music.
ABOUT LIVE NATION URBAN:
Live Nation Urban (LNU) remains North America’s preeminent producer of concert experiences, festivals, and platforms headlined, curated, and owned by black talent. Operating in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company, the company sets the tone for culture with over a dozen sought-after festival brands such as Roots Picnic, Broccoli City, Exodus Music & Arts Festival, ONE Musicfest, Strength of a Woman, and more.
Beyond their captivating live events, Live Nation Urban has established themselves as key social architects in black culture with their innovative initiatives that include Juneteenth: A Global Celebration (broadcast on CNN), Kerry Washington’s THICKER THAN WATER book tour, and a special Hip-Hop 50 event at the home of Vice President Kamala Harris in addition to tours by artists such as Ari Lennox, Kirk Franklin, Davido, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, Jodeci, and Raphael Saadiq. The LNU-produced “A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop” special garnered a nomination at the NAACP Image Awards for “Outstanding Variety Show.” Live Nation Urban continues to grow across hip-hop, R&B, soul, and gospel as the most trusted purveyor of live urban music.
For media inquiries, interview requests, or press credentials, please contact:
Ernest Dukes
ernest@nottinghamagency.com
LIVE NATION URBAN
Carleen Donovan
carleen@theoriel.co
Drew Ingall
drew@theoriel.co
The post Charlie Wilson, Babyface, K-Ci Hailey & El Debarge Join Forces For The Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour, Presented By Live Nation Urban And P Music Group, Set To Heat Up The Summer appeared first on Live Nation Entertainment.