Charlie Wilson is turning up the heat this summer with a soulful celebration like no other. The R&B icon just announced the Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour, and he’s bringing a few legendary friends along for the ride, including Babyface, K-Ci Hailey, and El DeBarge.
This all-star lineup is set to bless stages across the U.S. starting August 27 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. From there, the tour will travel to major cities including Detroit, Chicago, Boston, and Memphis, serving up a powerful reminder of what timeless Black music really feels like.
Fans can expect a nostalgic but energetic night filled with rich harmonies, classic hits, and undeniable soul. Charlie Wilson, known for his magnetic presence and signature vocals, continues to be a dominant force in R&B. With a career that spans over five decades — from The Gap Band days to solo anthems like “There Goes My Baby” and “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” — his legacy is firmly cemented.
Joining him is Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, one of the greatest songwriters and producers in music history. His catalog includes R&B classics like “Whip Appeal”, “Every Time I Close My Eyes”, and countless hits for legends such as Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, and Boyz II Men.
K-Ci Hailey, famously one-half of Jodeci’s dynamic duo, will bring that gritty, gospel-rooted soul that powered ’90s anthems like “Come & Talk to Me” and “Lately.”
Meanwhile, El DeBarge, the falsetto king of the ‘80s and frontman of the legendary family group DeBarge, will deliver timeless melodies from hits like “Rhythm of the Night” and “All This Love.”
Together, this lineup represents the golden thread of R&B across generations. The Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour is more than a concert — it’s a tribute to the rich legacy of Black music that continues to inspire new artists while giving long-time fans exactly what they’ve been craving.
Presale tickets are available now, while general on-sale begins Thursday, April 18 via major ticket platforms.
Tour Schedule (Purchase at unclecharliescookout.com)
• Aug 27 – Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Bowl (*No El DeBarge)
• Aug 29 – Concord, CA @ Toyota Pavilion (*No El DeBarge)
• Sep 5 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
• Sep 6 – Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
• Sep 7 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
• Sep 11 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
• Sep 12 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
• Sep 13 – Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion
• Sep 14 – Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavilion at The Mann
• Sep 19 – Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park
• Sep 20 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
• Sep 21 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
• Sep 26 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
• Sep 27 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Zoo Amphitheater
• Sep 28 – Dallas, TX @ Toyota Music Pavilion
• Oct 3 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Arena (**No Babyface)
• Oct 4 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park (*No El DeBarge)
• Oct 5 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
• Oct 10 – Birmingham, AL @ Coca-Cola Amphitheater
• Oct 11 – Brandon, MS @ Brandon Amphitheater (*No El DeBarge)
• Oct 12 – Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum
