John Legend home for Christmas concert

12/25/2007 10:00 AM, AP
Nekesa Mumbi Moody

Grammy-winning R&B artist John Legend returned to his hometown to headline a small Christmas Eve benefit concert of local artists at his high school alma mater.

Legend, 28, performed in the "Coming Home Christmas Benefit Concert" along with R&B, gospel and rock talents, including the Springfield North and Springfield South high school choirs.

"Springfield has a lot of talent," said Legend, who performed to a sold out crowd of 1,200 at North High. "And the concert is a nice variety that represents the diversity of Springfield."

Proceeds from the concert, which was the brainchild of Legend's brother Vaughn Anthony Stephens, go to the Jason Collier Memorial Scholarship Fund. Collier, an NBA player and Springfield Catholic Central alum, was 28 when he died from a sudden heart rhythm disturbance in 2005.

Legend said he met Collier in high school and called his death tragic.