For more than two decades, Bobby Ross Avila has helped to shape the sound of Usher’s biggest moments. What started out from Usher’s “Confessions” era has taken them to the Super Bowl stage, and now to one of the most ambitious R&B stadium tours with Chris Brown.
As the musical director, producer, and multi-instrumentalist helps to transform Usher’s catalog into a three-hour stage spectacular, Avila is doing it all, from arranging songs to crafting transitions, and helping two global superstars share one stage without either of them losing what makes each unique. Unlike much of the creative team working behind the scenes, Avila can also be found in the spotlight performing nightly with Usher’s band, as well as also stepping out for his own solo moment.
Bobby Ross Avila sat down with The Blast for an exclusive chat ahead of Usher and Chris Brown’s tour stop in Las Vegas. He shared what people can expect from the show, how he got started in the music industry, and what’s next after the tour ends.
3Avila began his musical journey at a very young age. He told The Blast that he “didn’t find music, music kind of found me.”
“I started playing when I was 3 years old and I still remember where I was at and what I was doing. Gradually, throughout the years, getting older, my dad had bands and he was kind of like in the top 40 club circuit, so it’s kind of like how DJs are now,” he said.
“I was surrounded by musicians. My dad would take me and my brother to the clubs he would be playing at and we’d play on their downtime when they ended a set, so that kind of got us used to playing and being in front of people, and that just gradually led to me diving into writing and learning. I was just so intrigued.”
Getting Signed To A Record Deal At Age 12
Eventually, his father decided it was time to stop doing the club circuit and put all his energy into helping Avila build his talent more.
“He kind of vicariously lived through me and I just found myself in the studio,” he told The Blast. “Next thing you know, I’m singing and have a demo, and then there’s a bidding war between RCA and Motown Records. I signed with RCA Records at 12 years old.”
From that point, Avila went on to be the opening act for New Kids on the Block’s “Hangin’ Tough” tour. That’s when the journey really kicked into high gear.
From Working With Usher On ‘Confessions’ To Producing The R&B Tour
When Avila started working with Usher, he didn’t likely realize just what a long collaboration journey this would take him on. He said the music industry constantly makes you “reinvent yourself,” so he went from being an artist to working behind the scenes so he could ensure his career would be a long one.
“That led me to getting on this journey as a producer, songwriter, learning the game from marketing, and all that kind of stuff,” Avila told The Blast. “I started working with Ice-T, producing him, and worked with Spice 1, Luniz, and Black Moon.”
At that point in his career, he and his brother, IZ Avila, ended up joining forces as the production duo, The Avila Brothers. That led them to partnering with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The two brothers went on quite the journey, working with some big names, including Usher.
“We got this call, ‘Hey, Usher’s going to be coming down,’ and so we met with him,” he said. “The rest is history. We ended up writing and producing about six songs together on ‘Confessions’ and that started our journey together.”
Avila got the opportunity to be with Usher during his Caesars Palace residency in Vegas in 2021, which ultimately led him to the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
What Fans Can Expect From Usher & Chris Brown’s Tour
3For fans heading to the Usher and Chris Brown show either in Las Vegas this weekend or another city later in the tour, Avila said be ready for a “unique” experience.
“Terry Lewis said it best to me. It’s once in a lifetime. When the show is over that night, it’s never going to be the same. And I just think the energy and the camaraderie between fans and the music, and the visual experience is so unique,” he shared. “You don’t realize that you’re either standing or sitting or getting drinks for three-and-a-half hours and it feels like it’s not long enough. That’s how great the show is.”
What’s Next For Bobby Ross Avila?
3When asked what’s next after Usher and Chris Brown’s tour ends, Avila said he’s “looking forward to seeing where music’s going to take me, what God has for me.”
He also has an album coming out called “Return of the Gentleman.”
“The first single is called ‘Lucky Fella,’ and for me, being in this position where I an be an artist, I can also be a producer and a creative, it allows me to be expressive in so many different ways,” he said. “And I think the single says it best. I’m a lucky fella, and I just feel really blessed.”
You can follow along on Bobby Ross Avila’s epic musical journey on his Instagram page.
