Patbscrooges Wilkes Barre Idol Recap

The concert in Wilkes-Barre was a happening and a half! Everyone broke loose and just had a great time. I'll try to remember it all, but a lot of stuff went on so I might forget a little.

Mandisa - I've seen this all over the place, but will put my personal spin on it. After asking Ruben to call and making eyes at the bass player all year, Mandisa surprised us all last night when she called out the drummer (Aaron?) and told him she was interested in him. Sat him on stool and dedicated "If I was Your Woman" to him and sang her heart out. She is so talented and has such stage presence and was in excellent voice! Aaron was supposed to knock on her door during intermission and let her know if his answer was yes (thumbs up) or no (thumbs down - boo) and she would let us know at the end of the show. During the line up part of Living in America, she was all smiles and thumbs up! Yea!!

Ace - after singing a really sweet happy birthday to his mom (tears in his eyes, he's an emotional guy!), one of the stage crew handed him a bottle of water which he poured over his head, back and chest. Then he put on his beanie and did "Harder to Breathe". Super performance and that wet shirt didn't hurt it at all. He used the bottom of his shirt to wipe his face (showed a little skin there) and actually wrung the shirt out when he was on the side of the stage nearest our seats. That man knows how to work a crowd and the Highrollers were out in force. Good, good performance from Ace.

Lisa was fighting tears during her set. Her surprise for us was to introduce her brother, who had been her chaperone (I know that's spelled wrong but don't want to stop and look it up!) during the tour. She dedicated "This is Your Song" to him and knocked that song out of the park.

Paris (and everyone else) thanked the crowd for their support of the tour and the show and then delivered a bang up performance. She was all over the place and dancing up a storm. I expect to see big things from this little lady in the future.

Bucky was at his best. This was my fourth show and I watched all the tv episodes and this is the best performance I have ever seen from Bucky. He opened with "Superstition" as usual and totally nailed that song. At this point, we noticed that Elliott, Mandisa, Paris and some others were standing by the stage and watching the show. There were Idols out there during the rest of the show just watching or singing along. They just seemed to be really happy and feeling that family tie that develops when you travel around with your buddies. During "Drift Away", Bucky was on the floor in front of the barrier and some guy in a hoodie started singing with him. It was Chris! They went back on stage to finish the song - it was excellent. Big hugs for the two of them and then Bucky started "You're the One that I Want" and Pickler made her entrance.

During their dance moves, Kellie yanked the snaps loose on Bucky's shirt and he had to cover up really quick to get it back together. He was laughing so hard that he made her laugh and they both lost it for a second. In retaliation, he dipped her really low and she almost wound up on the floor.

Kellie finished out her set and sounded very good. I love the red high heels (much better than the boots) but wouldn't want to be faced with the challenge of walking around on them myself while singing. And when Pickler asked for the lights to be turned up, the crew stood at the top of the ramp with flashlights.

Chris opens the second half with "Whole Lotta Love". Really good, but he's holding the mic in his hand and not carrying the stand around. When he finishes, we find out why. The crew taped his stand to the floor! He said he was forced to show his "diversity" in this situation and gave them a real big "thanks guys". When he got ready to do his next number, Bucky comes out from backstage on a scooter and delivers a bottle of water to him. Chris cracks up and then delivers another excellent song. Can't wait for this CD to hit the shelf. And by the way, has anyone ever said that Wilkes-Barre likes them some Chris?

Elliott comes out from around the stage before Chris introduces him and they begin their duet together. Great, great performance and you can tell these guys are close.

Elliott finishes his set with no mischief that I can remember. He is such a singer!! Hope we hear about his contract status soon. The boys begin "Patience" and toward the end, Bucky pulls Kellie from in front of the barrier and, even though Chris yells "Don't let her on the stage", she finishes the song with them. Everyone is singing well and feelings are starting to surface all over the place. Tonight is a special night.

Kat is next. No black dress tonight - jeans and a beautiful low cut turquoise top instead - woo! She starts up "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" and as she comes over to our side of the stage, looses an earring. What a sport - she just pulls the other one off and tosses it to the crowd. Excellent! Kat removes her shoes for "Think" and when she's down with the crowd, she pulls out Kellie and Paris and takes them back on stage for some dancing and singing. The girls are having a good time tonight. Group hug after the song and then Kat does "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I felt that her vocals were excellent and she received much applause. During "Black Horse", Chris was on the side of the stage (and someone with him that I didn't recognize) and they were singing "woo hoo" with her. Really cute.

Taylor time!!! Taylor comes in to "Jail House Rock" singing some but talking a lot along the way about the end of Season Five and the beginning of Season Six. The crowd explodes. First song of the night is "Hollywood Nights". The Soul Patrolman is in superb voice and looks happy and excited. Dancing is especially frenzied and we are highly entertained. Taylor introduces the band by name. Somewhere along the way, Bucky (I think it was Bucky) comes walking by on stage with a mop or a broom or something. Taylor cracks up. "Living in the City" is next and right after the part where Taylor dances at the top of the platform, all five girls come marching in from backstage and start singing with him. It was great! They walked across the stage and just joined in. Everyone danced around with Taylor and then he walked around and put his hand over their heads and called their names out to the crowd. Then they danced some more. The girls left the stage and Taylor did "Do I Make You Proud" and left the stage. Of course he returned to do "Taking it to The Streets" and he wailed on the harp and took us to church. Excellent show from Mr. Hicks.

"We are the Champions" is next and this cheesey song always makes me smile and sing along. The girls were wearing big fuzzy slippers that look like tennis shoes and everyone was just breaking up during the song. Kat and Taylor come out for "Living in America" and Taylor has a water bottle on the platform and is spraying water all over the place. They start down the ramp and Kat pretend-slaps Taylor and he goes reeling. Someone introduces Silly String and chaos breaks out. The stage crew comes out in fat suits with wings and too-toos (fairies?) and Silly String reinforcements. Soon the stage and the front rows of the audience are covered in Silly String. Ace is jumping all over the place, hats are flying, guitar picks are tossed. Taylor throws his harmonica into the crowd and I was afraid a free for all would erupt. It was pure bliss and the exact proper way for this tour to end.

I hope I didn't miss anything important. This season and the extended tour have been a real treat for me and I wanted to share my enjoyment of the last show with everyone on the board. I'm looking forward to Season Six, but they will have to really show me something to beat the American Idol Class of 2006. Soul Patrol, folks until next time. Idols Rock!