@ElDeBarge Visits Nashville – One More Chance (Interview & Concert Footage)
El DeBarge was in Nashville on a promotional tour for the release of Second Chance, his first full-length album release since 1994. With a musical career that spans more than three decades, DeBarge has been candid about his battle with drug addiction and the incarceration that resulted in a pregnant hiatus from the charts. Just weeks before the new album drops on November 30, El visits Nashville’s 92Q and does an in-studio interview with Program Director, Kenny Smoov. Radio contest winners were also in attendance and allowed to ask El a few questions, some held tickets to see DeBarge perform later that evening.
Among the fans was artist Darrell Gilbert, he had El autograph one of his original works, a rendering of the recent Ebony cover featuring DeBarge. 
One fan brought the actual magazine for El’s signature. The room was primarily filled with people who love his music, interestingly enough they represent multiple generations; young and old, male and female. There was a lot of chatter until his voice came through the speakers, an immediate hush; he spoke briefly to Kenny in a different room before joining guests. El was greeted with camera flashes, giggles among girlfriends, and excitement when he walked in the room.
During the interview, he shared how it feels to reenter the music scene and the response to his return from other industry artist, the legacy he’s leaving to new El DeBarge fans with the new album and what he wants industry newcomers to learn about the business. He also revealed why he took one more chance at a career in music with Geffen/Interscope Records/Columbia Music Group and how his appearance on the BET Awards helped catapult his classic, signature falsetto and Second Chance to the masses.
Later that night, El headed over to perform at the LimeLight, which lies in the shadow of Titans Stadium, appropriate for the breadth of talent he brought to the stage helping to give Nashville’s ‘Music City’ nickname definition. Opening his set with the Notorious B.I.G.s “One More Chance,” El sang a medley of hits, including “All This Love,” “Rhythm of the Night, and "I Like It.” The venue was packed, 92Q and LoveNoise must have sold a ticket to half the population of Nashville. At times, it felt like the building was swinging from side to side as the crowd moved to DeBarge’s covers of “Brick House,” and “Ain’t Gon’ Hurt Nobody.” Closing the set with “Close to You,” from his forthcoming album, he bowed to a standing ovation and screams of appreciation from fans for giving them one more chance to witness a living legend.
To see more event photos visit the LoveNoise website, click here.
Freddie B TV was also in the building for the evening’s festivities, check out additional interview and concert footage below!
Keep your eye out for the upcoming post that will feature our one-on-one interview with El DeBarge! Shout-out to LoveNoise, Kenny Smoov and 92Q!
