Post by lilyover76 on Apr 8, 2009 18:52:55 GMT -5
Last month, I went on a different journey. You might know that I'm a big fan of David Archuleta, American Idol runner-up. Several fans here in San Diego and LA have gone to two different shows together last year. Now, this past month... several of the same bunch went to David's solo tour shows in Tempe, AZ and Pomona. Then Sam and I flew up to Reno to see David's show at the old Reno Hilton. Finally, I flew with another friend to SLC (for 3 days) for the finale of David's solo tour, plus a fan pre-party and also an after party. I know this sounds crazy... but we (the fans) feel that there will not be this opportunity in the future. Every one of David's concert venues were sold-out, or nearly so... which means the ticket prices will sky-rocket whenever he tours again (current prices have been approx. $25 per show). We fans realize that this tour is very special to David and it will never be the same cos this 'chapter' will soon come to an end... he is now on his way to super-stardom, playing in large arenas and will be so much less accessible. In Tempe, AZ, I met David and then met him again in Reno... what a special talent he is... he is a musical prodigy!
Many have written about the SLC concert… there are not enough words (for me) to adequately express how special this concert was! To be able to witness the love between David and his hometown fans is something that I won’t forget… ever! It was sooo electifying! David's velvety voice filled the E Center arena... what a voice! And the fans' reactions were beyond anything I had ever seen before... bar none!
I think all of you here, fans of Apolo and other speed-skaters, can appreciate the need to 'see' and 'support' a person who has so much talent! So here, below, is a review from Deseret News-SLC after David's hometown concert:
"And they had good reason for their enthusiasm. Archuleta, the hometown boy made good, delivered a fantastic performance, complete with the high-powered vocals that made him a winner on "Star Search" and the runner-up last season on "American Idol."
"It feels so good to be home, you guys!" he yelled to the sell-out crowd. "This is amazing! This is awesome! I can't believe how unbelievably crazy this is, my first hometown show."
(Well, first as a headliner. Archuleta was part of the "Idol" tour that came through town last summer.)
Clearly a more confident performer now than he was then, Archuleta has nonetheless retained his boyish charm. He didn't exactly give the hugely enthusiastic crowd the same aw-shucks response he gave "Idol" judges when they praised him, but he gave them an approximation.
Dressed in a white T-shirt, gray vest, jeans and sneakers, Archuleta performed with a four-person band — guitar, bass, keyboards and drums.
Archuleta was clearly having a great time throughout his 1:21 set that included 17 numbers. And so was the crowd. He had a huge smile on his face and laughed with genuine joy.
The crowd had a good time, too, judging simply by the screams.
They screamed when David bounced. They screamed when he flexed his bicep. They screamed when he played the keyboard. They screamed when he tried to express his feelings, partially drowning him out."
And, during one of the longest standing ovations, I heard David (laughingly) say, "You crazy guys!"
The next day after the concert, a bunch of fans took a tour of Temple Square. The first stop on the tour was the Tabernacle. As we were all seated, Our personal tour guide told us of what happened for David on Thursday night, the 26th. David, his family group, his band and roadies, were all invited to sit in on the Tabernacle Choir dress rehearsal. Then David was invited up to sing, and he sang "Be Still My Soul". At the end, the entire choir stood and honored David with a standing ovation! Can you just imagine how David felt???
Later on, David, and his parents Jeff and Lupe, were led to the private offices of President Monson, the leader of LDS. David and his parents had a private 'audience' with their 'Prophet'! David then sang the hymn, "How Great Thou Art", a capella, for President Monson! I can only imagine how David must have felt in that private performance for his 'President'... and how proud Jeff and Lupe must've felt at the moment!
Here are a few of my photos:
Tempe, AZ, 3-16-09
Pomona, CA 3-17-09 Darker photos, no flash!
You have to know David's song "Barriers", to understand this gesture! Right, Mari?!!! LOL
This gesture is mentioned in the 'review' above.
Reno, NV, 3-18-09
This is a photo from Singapore a couple of days ago...
David KNOWS how to use chopsticks correctly! LOL
Many have written about the SLC concert… there are not enough words (for me) to adequately express how special this concert was! To be able to witness the love between David and his hometown fans is something that I won’t forget… ever! It was sooo electifying! David's velvety voice filled the E Center arena... what a voice! And the fans' reactions were beyond anything I had ever seen before... bar none!
I think all of you here, fans of Apolo and other speed-skaters, can appreciate the need to 'see' and 'support' a person who has so much talent! So here, below, is a review from Deseret News-SLC after David's hometown concert:
"And they had good reason for their enthusiasm. Archuleta, the hometown boy made good, delivered a fantastic performance, complete with the high-powered vocals that made him a winner on "Star Search" and the runner-up last season on "American Idol."
"It feels so good to be home, you guys!" he yelled to the sell-out crowd. "This is amazing! This is awesome! I can't believe how unbelievably crazy this is, my first hometown show."
(Well, first as a headliner. Archuleta was part of the "Idol" tour that came through town last summer.)
Clearly a more confident performer now than he was then, Archuleta has nonetheless retained his boyish charm. He didn't exactly give the hugely enthusiastic crowd the same aw-shucks response he gave "Idol" judges when they praised him, but he gave them an approximation.
Dressed in a white T-shirt, gray vest, jeans and sneakers, Archuleta performed with a four-person band — guitar, bass, keyboards and drums.
Archuleta was clearly having a great time throughout his 1:21 set that included 17 numbers. And so was the crowd. He had a huge smile on his face and laughed with genuine joy.
The crowd had a good time, too, judging simply by the screams.
They screamed when David bounced. They screamed when he flexed his bicep. They screamed when he played the keyboard. They screamed when he tried to express his feelings, partially drowning him out."
And, during one of the longest standing ovations, I heard David (laughingly) say, "You crazy guys!"
The next day after the concert, a bunch of fans took a tour of Temple Square. The first stop on the tour was the Tabernacle. As we were all seated, Our personal tour guide told us of what happened for David on Thursday night, the 26th. David, his family group, his band and roadies, were all invited to sit in on the Tabernacle Choir dress rehearsal. Then David was invited up to sing, and he sang "Be Still My Soul". At the end, the entire choir stood and honored David with a standing ovation! Can you just imagine how David felt???
Later on, David, and his parents Jeff and Lupe, were led to the private offices of President Monson, the leader of LDS. David and his parents had a private 'audience' with their 'Prophet'! David then sang the hymn, "How Great Thou Art", a capella, for President Monson! I can only imagine how David must have felt in that private performance for his 'President'... and how proud Jeff and Lupe must've felt at the moment!
Here are a few of my photos:
Tempe, AZ, 3-16-09
Pomona, CA 3-17-09 Darker photos, no flash!
You have to know David's song "Barriers", to understand this gesture! Right, Mari?!!! LOL
This gesture is mentioned in the 'review' above.
Reno, NV, 3-18-09
This is a photo from Singapore a couple of days ago...
David KNOWS how to use chopsticks correctly! LOL
.. Thank you so much for sharing your pics 
.. everytime I see Daivd and his beautiful smile, i see a beautiful soul...Karma!!
so addorable, thanks Lily 
