Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Regardless if he’s writing for R&B, pop, the holidays or otherwise, Brian McKnight is both a modern day king of love ballads and also no stranger to dance grooves, regularly topping the charts for over three decades.

The multi-platinum mega star made his way to Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana, where there’s truly always something entertaining happening, to revisit the 1990s through now, including an unexpected return to full-length recording after a previously announced retirement.

The brand new “McKnighttime Lullabies” project is inspired by recently becoming a father again, and while it adapts a family-oriented tone as opposed to strictly the romantic side, it nonetheless fit snuggly next to everything else from this “Superman” of a troubadour.

In fact, McKnight packed at least 20 tunes into an uplifting and updated show stocked with “Love Of My Life,” “Anytime,” “The Only One For Me” and many more to make not only the ladies swoon, but the gentlemen nod in approval.

The headliner tossed on an acoustic guitar for rocker Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love,” eventually saluting several departed influences, such as standards swinger Tony Bennett via “Fly Me To The Moon” and blue-eyed soul man Bobby Caldwell come “What You Won’t Do (Do For Love).”

He remained fearless approaching the likes of Michael Jackson (“Remember The Time”), Prince (“The Beautiful Ones”) and Whitney Houston (“I Have Nothing”), followed by the personally-penned “Back At One,” earning a rightful place amongst that classic company.

It was certainly worthy of being the closer, but thankfully, McKnight had time for “One Last Cry” as the Hard Rock heaped praise upon a versatile performer in the process of reclaiming his recording crown.

Fans even flocked out early for Vivian Green, an accomplished R&B/neo-soul artist since the turn of century, whose pristine vocals and welcoming presence had everyone swaying alongside the smooth sounds of “Emotional Rollercoaster,” “Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)” and “Get Right Back to My Baby” to supplement the elegant evening.

For additional information on Brian McKnight and Vivian Green, visit McKnight360.com and VivianGreenMusic.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include Meshuggah (Dec. 5); Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular Birthday Edition (Jan. 6); Flo Rida (Jan. 19); Ron White (Jan. 20); The Commodores and The Spinners (Jan. 26); Tim Allen (Jan. 27); Marlon Wayans (Feb. 2); George Lopez (Feb. 3); Rod Stewart (Feb. 10); Hannah Berner (Mar. 1); Chippendales (Apr. 5-6); Godsmack (Apr. 20); Chelsea Handler (Apr. 26); David Foster & Katharine McPhee (May 4); Kevin James (Jun. 15) and Jason Mraz (Jul. 19). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

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