ETA: So her video wasn’t erased after all: “Time of My Life” and some banter.
Wordnerdarchie’s re-cap of the show comes by way of her son and daughter-in-law. She also hung out by the buses before the show to meet the Idols…
I reached the Target Center around 11:00 and went across the street to Block E. There were several groups of Archie fans wearing Archuleta t-shirts and caring a variety of fan paraphernalia. The mood was expectant and upbeat. Since Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m primarily a Cook (secondary Archie) fan I proceeded to the second floor of Block E to meet up with my Yahoo Cook Minnesota Fan group comprised of fans from MN, SD, ND, & IA. Jen & Becky had managed to pick up a set of paddles (oars around 4-5à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ long) that we wanted to give to Cook in the hopes that he would use it in the Mavid. MAVID was written on the blades of the paddles, as well as our names & Word Nerd numbers (if we had them) and some additional artwork
The barricades were set up by the Main Ticket Office entrance. We went there sometime between 12 & 12:30. ( I lost track of time, sorryJ ). There were large groups of fans for Archuleta, Cook, Castro, Brooke, and some smaller groups for Carly. I did not see any organized fan groups for Syesha, Kristy Lee, MJ, Ramiele, or Chikezie, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure there were some there.
I think the first one to come out was Kristy Lee but my memory isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t very good. There were too many exciting moments to experience and remember – order wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t important to me. She looked FABULOUS. WOW! She signed autographs for everyone that asked, but did the line quickly.
The second to come out was David Cook. He walked briskly the whole length (just taking quick glances at the posters) so that he could start at the other end and work his way back. It just so happens he started at the main Archuleta fan group, since they had the first place on the barricade, and spent quite a bit of time there. Right next to this group was  ½ of our group. He did accept our paddles and used them in the MAVID Dance. Yeah!
It was at this point that Archie must have stepped out of the bus at the other end of the line, since piercing screams broke out, and security guards covered their ears; since we were all standing under an overhang the sound reverberated quite loudly. Got to give it up for the Archie fans – they know how to make a LOT of noise. Cook stopped what he was doing and did some posing, sort of a like à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹s bring it onà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“, similar to what MJ had done with Cook in Wash. DC. It was great to watch. I couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see what Archie was doing in response, since he was out of my line of site. Maybe some Archie fans could fill us in.
Back to Cook, he spent a tremendous amount of time with the fans. He was having his picture taken, giving hugs, answering questions, discussing their posters and shirt art, breaking out into a dance on one occasion, and autographing all kinds of things. I noticed his voice was a bit hoarse. When he got to my point in the line he signed some things for me, took a very nice picture and opened the musical card I gave him. He listened to it right away and started to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“rock outà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ to it. By this time Archie was up to us, so Cook held it up to Archieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s ear so he could hear it too. The expression on Archieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s face was priceless. It was something like – What in the world is this?
At this time Jason Castro went by, so I missed him. Sorry Jason fans. I was too busy with Cook & Archie. J However, when he came back the other direction I did get his autograph. Boy, his eyes are blue. He looked just like he did on TV, but seemed a bit tired. No surprise there, since we all know Jason likes to get his sleep.
Next person to come by was Brooke. What can be said about Brooke. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s like a ray of sunshine. She was very nice and accommodating and down to earth. You got to love Brooke. Her speaking voice was VERY hoarse I thought. I had some concern about how she would sing later. Some of her fans were handing out glow wristbands to everybody to wear at the concert and I saw many of them wearing them. They even gave one to David Cook to wear at the concert
I stayed at the barricades until 3:00 but did not meet any others. From what I hear elsewhere, MJ & Carly did come out later. For those attending concerts in the future, please try to meet the idols in the afternoon. It is well worth your time and effort. They were great!!!!
I was amazed how long the line was to get into the arena. It took us over 20 minutes to make it through security, but it was definitely worth it. I do believe it was close to being a sell-out. Even some of the obstructed view seats were sold. Oh, and by the way, we had floor seats in row 3, which I thought was great until Security had me erase my videos. Can you say à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“BUSTED?à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ The good thing was, that other people got really good videos of the MAVID, using our groupà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s oars that we gave to David at the barricades. Whoo, Whoo!!!!J
Now for the performer evaluations. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m a believer in full disclosure. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m a huge Cook fan, and very biased. Therefore, I am not going to give my opinion of the concert because you all know what Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll say about you-know-who. Instead Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to paraphrase the comments made by my hunky, musically inclined, 27 year old son and his gorgeous, also musically gifted 27 year old wife. (Like I said before, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m very biased.). Theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹re from Philadelphia and you know how harsh fans are like there. Since they did not watch American Idol at all, they donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have any kind of personal relationship with the idols, and are a wee bit harsh in their critique on some occasions. Please, please donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t shoot the messenger.
Well here it comes, compliments of my daughter-in-law . I asked her to rate each one from most favorite down to least. The comments are hers but sometimes she just listed her complaints and not what she liked. (Remember: Eagle fans would rather boo than cheer) Again, take a deep breath before blasting me, these are not my opinions.
1. David Cook – Great singer, wonderful in drawing in the crowd, humble performer
2. Chikezie – Possessed great pitch, super with opening the show and getting the crowd involved
3. Kristy Lee – Solid performance, and very good looking
4. David Archuleta – Was coughing (This is me talking now à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“she had nothing else to add, so fans, donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t hate her, sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s really a nice person, at least she has him in the top 5à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ )
5. Jason Castro – not enough crowd interaction
6. Michael Johns – Just ok
7. Brooke – sounded like she had a sore throat
8. Carly – off- key
9. Syesha – looked like a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢hoeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ (Me talking again – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“that really was her word and she does mission work in the inner city of Philadelphia, so she knows what they look likeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“)
10.Ramiele – weak singer
Ok, now letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all chill, repeat Comfort Fedoke a few times to calm ourselves. Here we go, now for my son. (He really does have a great ear for music. I thought he should have gone into record producing, but when does a son ever listen to his mother? Oh, I know, when Beth Foraker speaks, David Cook listens.)
My sonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s rankings and comments follow. Drum roll please!
First he said that overall he was VERY impressed. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been to many concerts where the singers/bands sound terrible in comparison to their recordings. He thought that the sound technicians were great, and that the music didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t drown out the vocals. He also thought all 10 did either good, great or exceptional. He had no complaints about their overall performances, just noted a few areas for improvements. Wow, when did he become such a softy? Are my son and his wife playing good cop-bad cop? Is this the twilight zone? Well enough of my ranting. Here comes his ratings.
1. David Cook – thought his version of My Hero was right on, said it sounded just like Foo Fighters, which for him is a huge compliment. Was still humming Billie Jean 2 hours later – always a good sign. Liked Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s jokes and how he commanded the stage.
2. David Archuleta – talented, but his problem with coughing was distracting.
2. Jason Castro (yes, a tie for second – he couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t differentiate between them). His crazy was just Craaaaaaaaazy good.
4. Chikezie – his high notes blew him away. Best pitch of the night. Didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like his kind of songs.
5. Michael Johns – mixed feelings, liked his voice but wished his rhythm was better (both vocally and dancing, if you want to call what he did dancing)
6. Kristy Lee – vocally ok, but doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like country
7. Brooke – weak in upper register, hoarse
8. Syesha – big voice but hated her style of songs and attitude (Me talking again – “You notice he didn’t have the same opinion as his wife about her appearance, hmmm”)
9. Carly – good high notes, but bad low notes, very pitchy, not impressed at all
10. Ramiele – did nothing for him
Well, there you have it. Take it or leave it. My husband also listed an order of finish but I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know if you want to hear his. (He actually has Kristy Lee #2 – Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s very visually oriented – so sad for me. I wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t subject you to the rest of his ratings, but he had Cook #1. He knows who he has to keep happy. Hee, hee, hee. If you want my biased opinion, just let me know, and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹ll give it.
Thanks! I hope none of the others get this bug badly either. They all have worked so hard and I don’t want any missed oppurtunities for any of them.
I love seeing recaps that include reviews from several different people. Always interesting to see the different perspectives that a group of related people will have.
It’s impressive that several of them have been sick or injured at various times, but they all seem to be giving their all in the shows nonetheless.
MJ-I apologize-I didn’t mean to get everyone upset. I can handle the criticism and I am not the only one who defends their favorites when someone criticizes them. I really did not mean to offend anyone. I like this blog and I do have other Carly fangroups that I belong to. I don’t want to be banned from your site-I really do like it and I apologize if I upset you or anyone else here.
Ok, I’ve finally noticed that the video I tried to upload last night is actually up and has been viewed. Yeah, it’s my first one. Since I was “busted” by security and made to erase my hardrive, I was surprised that all the files weren’t gone. Guess it pays to be inept where technology is concerned. Well, here’s where you can find TOML with the great shout-out to Brooke’s fans at the end.
The first few seconds are blurry but then the quality is good after that, other than for heads a arms in a few places. Enjoy.
You did a great job on that, wordnerdarchie, thanks for posting it up. That was cute when he apologized to Brooke’s fans, I assume he must have promised them he’d wear it.
Well, here’s my last miracle clip that survived the Security Executioner. (I did lose Hello, and couldn’t video anything else after this point. I was on the Security Watch List.
Crowd Filming
Hi All,
I’m a total geek for these kids – especially Cook, who I vibrate with in his musical sensibility as a musician myself.
I was wondering why there weren’t many videos of full sets on any of the upload sites, particularly YouTube. I like seeing how David Cook changes things up musically, I think that’s how he challenges himself to keep it interesting. Unfortunately, there weren’t many vids. Was security in MN on TPTB syndrome?
I’ve been watching the vids because I chose not to attend the concert, and it’s been a pleasure to see how these artists have grown as performers in such a short time. If anyone has anymore vids or knows what was up with security, please post or explain.
Thankyou!
PS – MJ, I think you’ve done a great job at creating a sounding board for fans of this cheesy show. Props!
He is so adorable! I loved those videos. Thank you!
blove, as I said in my recap, I was stopped filming during DWTMAT by security and told to hand over my tape or DVD from my camera. However, my camera had a hard drive, so he had me erase it. Since I didn’t know what I was doing, it didn’t all disappear, which is why TOML and banter is posted here. Also, they “wanded” people and checked all bags at the entrance for video cameras. So it was more difficult to get in with a video camera. The person who checked me didn’t check inside my make-up bag. (I was prepared for the inspection and figured that was the safest place for my video-cam). I don’t know about everyone else, but I was in row three with security right in front of me, so that’s why I was spotted. I’m surprised it took until Cook’s 3rd number before they noticed me, but I was being discreet about it.
wordnerdarchie, hmmmmmm :ponder_tb:
Minneapolis has a big music scene and is known for Prince, so they might have tighter security at their venues. Also, I’m willing to bet AI is going to release a concert vid compilation to sell to fans – if I were in their camp, I would tell them to do it.
Well, hopefully for the remainder of the tour other fans will be as smart as you and put it in a strategic location…
Glad you got something though…I love these kids.
I was at the Minneapolis show too. I thought it was great, though I still prefer the format of last year’s tour with all the duets, trios, combos, etc.
The Mavid row-boat-Jason-smackdown was very funny–and very fitting…Land of 10,000 lakes and all that.
I wanted to mention another funny thing: At the end of David Cook’s set, he jumped off the front of the stage and stepped up on the fence in front of the front row. Some woman in a green shirt ran up and gave him this huge, full-blown, arms-completely-wrapped-around-him hug…but since he was above her, she ended up hugging his thighs. I would think that would be a little unnerving for Cook!
Also, my daughters (ten and fourteen) waved at the Idols the whole concert, and the only ones to wave back were Jason and David Cook. I thought the girls were going to explode, they were so excited. I should add, though, that the ten-year-old said that while Syesha didn’t exactly wave, “she acknowledged my presence. She sort of nodded at me.” Oh, that Syesha!
Lucky, lucky woman in a green shirt
and very brave. Cook must be driving the security guys crazy with the jumping into the audience. He’s done that a couple of times now.
Awww, my two favorite guys. They’re both such sweethearts!
janerazor,
That would be unnerving for anyone. Of course, fans who are way over the top obsessed loose all sense of themselves and the freedom of their objects of adoration.
I would have liked to see this though. There have been a few moments like these when David Cook let’s go and he’s just into it. That’s when I dig a show, when the artist is unbounded. It will be great to see him doing original material in concert – I’m sure a far greater personal vibe and delivery of his music will come through since it will be his own lyrics – his voice.
Thanks for sharing.
blove, I can’t speak for other venues, but at the Bossier City show, security was checking every camera that passed through and if your camera had recording capabilities you had to return it to your car and then go through inspection again. They were even rummaging through purses. we had a camcorder(returned to car) two cameras (returned to car also) and one cell phone with camera and video capabilities(got to keep that, thank goodness). The pics and video did not turn out very good though.
wordnerdarchie, I love all the differing viewpoints of the Idols. Sounds like you have a great family!
Barbariba, Well kudos to those who made it through so fans can do a replay of some of those great performances and banter moments.
Wordnerdarchie, your recap and the different perspectives was very refreshing, loved it.
Jason and Archie a tie for second? I love your son. They’re tied first place for me but, I’m biased and I didn’t attend the show. Your own ranking sits very well with me too.
Thanks for sharing!
I missed the finale of PDSTM & Mavid, because, my sister was driving and wanted to beat the crowd to the parking ramp. Boo to my sister – someone’s vid will have to do.
There were 7 of us. Here’s the rundown in performance order.
Chikezie – 2 of us liked him, one couldn’t understand him, one didn’t care for him, the rest thought he was OK
Ramiele – no thumbs up at all
MJ – 3 of us liked him, 2 said he was pretty good, 2 said OK
KLC – 1 liked her, 4 said OK, 2 of us didn’t care for her, but think she’s pretty
Carly – mostly OK’s, but, disappointed she wasn’t better
Brooke – 2 liked her, 2 didn’t , rest OK
Jason – I love Jason, my sister doesn’t, the rest thought he was pretty good
Syesha – OK’s all around, 3 said she is too fake, not personable
Archie – 5 loved him, 2 said pretty good
Cookie – everyone liked his personality, 2 liked him a lot, 5 thought he was good, but, thought “Hero” was too hard rock for their taste
Everyone, except me, was at their first idol concert. They were all glad they had the experience, but, probably wouldn’t do it again. I’ll go when I have a real favorite to see. I went for Ruben in Season 2, Taylor in Season 5, and this year for Jason.
Thanks for everyone review and ranking… is goes to show that for different taste they were created different colors…