When it comes to engaging an audience and delivering amusing, extemporaneous banter, few are better than senior recording artists.
Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Lyle Lovett and Bruce Springsteen are at their best when speaking off the cuff in between songs. However, Kelly Clarkson, who is a Millennial, is just as adept at working the crowd in the moment as the aforementioned icons.
Clarkson, 43, cracked up and moved the capacity crowds at the Hard Rock during her 90-minute sets last May.
Perhaps it's to be expected since Clarkson is a successful talk show host. The American Idol alum cracked wise while delivering personal and professional anecdotes.
Her amusing bits are reason enough to catch Clarkson when she returns Friday and Saturday for her annual two-night stand at the Hard Rock.
Last year's shows were Clarkson's first New Jersey concerts in nine years. Parenthood, the pandemic and her popular daytime talk program, "The Kelly Clarkson Show," were some of the reasons much time had passed between Garden State gigs.
Clarkson was away so long it was easy to forget how many of her songs charted. "My Life Would Suck Without You," "Breakaway," and "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" are just some of the smashes that were delivered. "Since You've Been Gone" remains the set closer. There were some tech problems during Clarkson's signature song but she joked her way through it.
Expect more of the same when she returns to the Hard Rock. Unlike last year's shows, tickets remain for both shows.
Keith Sweat Clarkson will deliver the pop-rock, while Keith Sweat will bring the R&B to Boardwalk Hall on Saturday.
Sweat, who has hit the charts with an array of love songs, noticed that there is a dearth of such tunes.
"Not enough people are writing and recording songs about relationships," Sweat said. "There's a lot of people out there that love romantic songs. That's what it's about, at least for me."
"I Want Her," "Make It Last Forever" and "I'll Give All My Love to You" are just some of Sweat's tunes, which charted. Sweat has done it his own way and as a result has an identifiable sound.
"That's something that has always been evident to me," he said. "You know when you hear one of my songs and that's something that I've always been proud of. People know what Keith Sweat sounds like and that's why they buy Keith Sweat. It's like how it was when Luther Vandross was around. Nobody sounded like Luther. He had one of those great voices that was so unique. I think the same can be said for me."
As Sweat looked back at his enviable career, he laughed and compared it to someone setting up shop on Main Street, USA.
"It's like opening up a small business," he said. "You hope that you'll be successful, but you don't know if you will be successful. It's the great unknown when you start, but it worked out for me. So many people know the songs and that's made what I do a strong business thanks to all of the hits. I can't begin to tell you how happy that makes me because I can focus on my music and that's what matters most to me."
Atlantic City generated more than $77 million in economic impact during the first quarter that was fueled by hosting 12 major conventions, sporting events, concerts and conferences.
"There's been so much reinvestment in Atlantic City throughout the last several years and we are looking forward to continuing the momentum with our destination partners and our common goal of showcasing all the incredible casino resorts, vibrant entertainment, diverse cuisine and unique experiences the city has to offer," President and CEO of Visit Atlantic City Gary Musich said.
