AI 2008

So, last night was the Big Show here in DC. The American Idol tour was in town and I had the chance to see it. First time I’ve ever seen one and it was worth the price of admission.

The crowd was a far more diverse mix than I’d expected, with old out-ranking young, and a lot of good guys attending with wives, girlfriends, and daughters. Standouts of the night, performance-wise, and easily the biggest hits with the crowd, were Michael Johns and the David’s. Jason Castro was welcomed heartily, but didn’t match the powerhouse performances of the above. Surprises were Chikezie who opened the show quite well, and Syesha, who had the best pipes of the night for the girls and definitely got the biggest response post-singing. (Carly Smithson got the biggest cheers pre-singing, but didn’t bring the crowd along quite as well.)

Brooke definitely got to everyone as her piano rose in the center of the stage through the mists as she sang Lennon. Christy Lee…not so much. (You sing a patriotic song in DC and the crowd doesn’t lose its collective mind…that says something. Something she probably doesn’t like to hear.) But everyone did a decent job and entertained the crowd. Each artist came out, sang three songs, until it got to the David’s, who did 4/5 respectively, then a group song at the end, which is the photo above.

DC in DC

David C was very at home on the stage, did a great set, but no one was sure what was up with the heavy eye makeup. Pretty much everyone else looked like we’re accustomed to seeing them. Archie was still very aw shucks, and Cook talked about getting to speak to the Senate yesterday on cancer advocacy, then thanked the crowd for making it possible for him to do things like that. He dedicated the song Hero to his brother, Adam, who is suffereing from brain cancer, then took home movies of the crowd to share with him later. Very cool all around. The encore was Billie Jean, which was a great end to a very fun and upbeat night.

A great end to this week would be announcing that, one, Libra went home on Big Bro. Don’t let the door hit ya. And we have a winner in this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. All ya had to do was send email this week….and the winning Blog Babe is? Stephanie H! Woo hoo!!

Now for the not-so-fun news. I am leaving crack of dark tomorrow morning to start my cross country drive, taking my son to school in Colorado. So, no formal blogging next week. I will try and post some photos from the road, and for next week’s SHaQ Attack, everyone who posts responses to whatever I get up here will be in the running for the free book prize, which won’t be announced until Monday, August 25, when I return.

Have a great weekend! Road Trip!! Wish me luck!

Tags: Writing //