Reverend Doctor returns to Ames this weekend for a homecoming show that blends music, community and a little sweetness.
The soul/pop/funk R&B artist performs at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 28, at Mary Jane’s, 119 Main St. Doors open at 1 p.m., and admission is a free‑will donation.
A soul food vendor and ice cream will be available.
Reverend Doctor has Ames roots, national reach
Reverend Doctor — the musical project of award‑winning singer‑songwriter Keith Rollins — grew up in Ames before building a career that stretches the country.
Mary Jane’s co-owner, Bryon Dudley, said the artist performs frequently in California, where he lives, and tours through the Pacific Northwest and as far east as Ohio.
Rollins’ sound is rooted in soul‑pop with the storytelling of Marvin Gaye, the showmanship of Prince and the loop‑driven energy of Ed Sheeran. His music “speaks straight to the part of you that’s been trying to hold it all together,” according to his website.
Ames concert is a homecoming built on hope
For Dudley and the Mary Jane’s team, Sunday’s show is more than a booking. It’s a welcome home for an artist who carries Ames with him.
“He’s excited to come home,” Dudley said.
Reverend Doctor’s performances are known for their warmth and communal feel, inviting audiences into a space where vulnerability becomes strength. His debut solo album, “Body,” released in 2025, gathers a year of singles into a record about staying whole in a noisy world.
With music, soul food from Nisha’s Soul Food (formerly known as Taste of Something Different), ice cream from Sweet Minnie’s and a hometown crowd, Mary Jane’s plans a relaxed, celebratory afternoon.
Dudley said the goal is simple — create a welcoming space for the community to gather around a homegrown artist who keeps blooming.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Reverend Doctor headlines hometown show with soul food, music
Reporting by Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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By Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune | USA TODAY Network
