Prior to the performance, El DeBarge struck a pose backstage next to a larger than life placard celebrating his recent Ebony cover story, which goes into greater depth about his inspirational road to recovery. Tour spoTlighT by andy argyrakis El DeBarge second chance Tour The shrine/ChiCago, iL Photos by Andy Argyrakis In his prime, El DeBarge and his family band bearing the same last name were competing neck in neck with The Jacksons, Prince and the early days of New Edition thanks to rock solid status on the Motown label, plus a slew of R&B to pop crossover hits. In the 16 years since his last studio CD, the soulful singer got caught up in a spiraling downfall that started with substance abuse, evolved to incarceration and ended with a recommitment to his lifelong Christian faith. After an extended ending to the frivolous but fun finale “Rhythm of the Night,” DeBarge knelt down in front of the microphone in a prayerful position and tossed at least a minute’s worth of thankful glances and head nods to fans, once again affirming his newly humbled stance. The results of the journey are chronicled throughout his aptly titled new disc Second Chance (Geffen), which sounds just as smooth as when he last ruled the airwaves, accompanied by an even slicker live show. Your Tour DEsTinaTion CCM KEEPS YOU IN-TUNE WITH THE HOTTEST TOURS GOING ON RIGHT NOW! WinTEr WonDEr sLaM TobyMac, Brandon Heath, House of Heroes: February 2011 (tobymac.com) WinTEr BLasT 2011 Building 429, 33Miles, Kerrie Roberts, Jason Gray: February 2011 (building429.com) an EVEninG WiTH MarK LoWrY Mark Lowry, Stan Whitmire: February-March 2011 (marklowry.com) WinTEr JaM Tour Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Kutless, Red, Francesca Battistelli, NewSong, KJ-52, Sidewalk Prophets, Chris August, Chris Sligh, Tony Nolan: February-April 2011 (jamtour.com) 2 FriEnDs Tour Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith: February-April 2011 (amygrant.com, michaelwsmith.com) ruLEs oF EnGaGEMEnT Tour Disciple, Project 86, Write This Down: February-April 2011 (disciplerocks.com) rEVoLVE Tour Britt Nicole, Group 1 Crew, Hawk Nelson: February-April 2011 (revolvetour.com) anD iF GoD is For us Tour Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Christy Nockels, Rend Collective: February-May 2011 (christomlin.com) HiLLsonG uniTED aFTErMaTH WorsHiP niGHT Hillsong United: February-May 2011 (hillsongunited.com) roCK & WorsHiP roaDsHoW MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Thousand Foot Krutch, Matt Maher, The Afters: March-May 2011 (mercyme.org) an EVEninG WiTH aniTa rEnFroE Anita Renfroe, Mandisa: March-July 2011 (anitarenfroe.com) For MorE inForMaTion on EL DEBarGE, VisiT ELDEBarGEMusiC.CoM CCM 13