Singing legend Brian McKnight 'energized' the room (update)

MONDAY, FEB. 27 (UPDATE FEB. 29):It’s not everyday that a singing legend comes to perform in Bermuda.

And when they do, attending is mandatory.

Ladies man Brian McKnight wowed an audience at the Fairmont Southampton on Saturday evening.

Mr McKnight performed in the Poinciana Ballroom to a crowd of close to 700.

The concert was presented by Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and was a fundraiser for the Kappa Classic, a youth football tournament, which will be held in March.

Let me start by saying I have been a fan of Brian McKnight for a very long time.

I knew about him years ago because he went to Oakwood College and grew up Seventh-day Adventist, the same faith I was raised in.

So needless to say, I was very excited to hear that he was coming to Bermuda after so long to perform.

On the night, I walked into the hotel at 7:30pm and was shocked by the number of people there.

The show wasn’t scheduled to start until 9pm but there was already a huge line.

Once the show began, it was clear we were in for an excellent evening.

Local talent included Kassandra Caines, Steve Easton and Stevie Darrell, backed by the Wall Street Band.

They were nothing short of outstanding.

I’m always amazed at how talented Bermudians are especially when put on a stage featuring an international act.

When Mr McKnight took the stage, the energy in the room skyrocketed.

He took the stage at 10:45pm in a white suit with a light blue shirt looking so good.

I expected he would be very good but I wasn’t prepared for how good.

That man can sing and sing he did.

He took the audience through many favourites, including Can you read my mind, Back at one, 6, 8, 12, Cherish and Anytime.

The crowd loved him from beginning to end and sang along with many of the songs.

Ladies’ man

McKnight played the piano as he sang and even pulled out his guitar and got all the ladies riled up.

I was definitely among the ladies screaming out for more.

At one point, he pulled a lucky lady on stage, gave her a bouquet of roses and serenaded her.

I’m sure all the single women in the audience, myself included, were jealous!

He played a solid two-hour set, finishing just before one, returning to the stage for an encore performance.

This show was amazing in and of itself, but it was even more wonderful because live music is such a rarity in Bermuda.

I would implore organizers in Bermuda to seek out live entertainment more because we enjoy it and we will pay for it.

So hats off to the Kappas and McKnight for an excellent event that was enjoyable and will support a worthy cause.