Welcome To THE COUCH...Sit on Down and Get Comfy...
Yes, I am alive...Not in prison...and very thankful that I have friends who were kind enough to make it possible for me to attend the concert in Louisville on Friday.
So.. the tale....
Matt drove me to the airport on Friday and I checked my bag...I hate checking my bag...but with all the new regulations....
Flight was uneventful...smooth air...bright sunny day...
Landed in Louisville on time and made my way to get the shuttle to the hotel where the reservations were. Checked in without a problem and made my way to the room. Being the only one there I settled in and watched my Yankees do a number on the Red Sox in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.
About 6 or so, I made my way to the lobby where I chatted with some kids who each had on a different hand-made t-shirt. There was one for Chris and one for Pickles (well it said Kellie .. but...) and one for Taylor. Some mothers were with them and they were both SP'ers... so we chatted. Because of the pics from Bham, I was pretty sure I would recognize Turn (Liz), but had no idea what huttonsv (Marci) and gclef (Anna) looked like....and the others that were supposed to be in town for the show.
Well, then I see who I figure is Turn talking with two women and I got up and made my way over and sure enough..it was them. We did the.."OH MY...SO GLAD TO FINALLY MEET YOU" thing, and made out way to Turns car.
Seems she has some connections and had a parking pass that got us almost into the building we were so close. We went in and this hall was also hosting the cattle and animals part of the big week they were having on the fair grounds..So guess what????
DANA THERE WERE COWS ALL OVER!!!!!!!!!
Lots of folks milling in the halls between the two venues, so it was hard to tell who was there for the animals and who were animals there for the concert.
We got to our seat s and told some stories and laughed and looked around trying to find other SPer's in the building...Hairdresser was there somewhere with a contingent from Northern Kentucky, so we did a little search.
The Concert:
Mandissa began the show and really belted out some songs. As it appears they all have, she mentioned she had been suffering from a cold and strep, but you really could not tell - as her voice was strong.
The squeals of the teenagers could be heard next as Ace took the stage. As he begins "Father Figure", he makes his chest pump like 3-4 inches out... very very creepy...I was expecting the monster from ALIEN to appear out of his t-shirt.
He sings OK... but he sings for the 14 and under set...
Then comes Lisa...and she was in great voice. Carrying her vocals from one end of the arena to the other. When she sat at the piano and sang two Elton John songs, I was a little confused. Why not sing two songs by different people.. why TWO Elton John songs? She did them well, but diversity was not there.
Her "best friend" Paris came out next. What a fireball! Never stopping, she worked the stage like a 20 year vet. Her voice was hot and she wowed the crowd.
Bucky appeared next. Maybe he was sick, or maybe he really can not command a stage. His vocals were the weakest of the entire evening. I had trouble even hearing him at points - the band drowning him out almost entirely.
Kellie appeared for her duet with Bucky. (For those who have not seen the show, there are duets for most of the segues to the next idol.)
They were "cute" together but the song fell flat IMHO.
Kellie spoke to the crowd more then anyone else to that point... making stupid comments and then "ah shucksing" the crowd...yawn
She then informed us they were taking a break. This lasted about 20 minutes and during that time Turn arrived back with a "pork chop sammich" ... which she could only eat half or. Being the northern gentleman that I am and hating to see food go to waste, I offered to finish it off.... yummy yummy yummy....
Back to the show...Chris comes out and totally impressed me. His version of "Whole Lotta Love" rocked the house...He really was on fire. Only comment is that during his second song, by Bon Jovi, "Dead or Alive", he had his acoustic guitar on, but looking at the big monitors and listening to the music, I am almost totally convinced, he was not playing live. That sort of soured me a bit.. But all in all he had the second best set of the evening.
He and Elliott dueted and then Elliott showed his chops and belted out his songs. Did a real good job but is still a bit stiff on stage.
We all know what happens next....long black evening gown.. humping the stage..."Black Horse and a Cherry Tree"...Kat sings...
She informs us she is still under doctor's orders and can only sing one more song and that---in the finale, look for the boot on her foot, since she broke it. Me thinks if I am signing her to a contract, I am calling Lloyd's of London and getting a nice fat insurance policy on the gal.
We get "Over the Rainbow"...done OK..not really great and whew...she is gone...well during this song, some 20-something guy standing right near us is jumping up and down the whole time, clutching a picture of Kat...Squealing (yes squealing) "Katherine You Are My Hero!"...over and over...I am looking that way, and people around him are sliding back and away.. it was the 2nd creepiest thing of the evening (see Ace's chest for #1).
DA DUM.....DA DUM.... it starts..."Jailhouse Rock" ... looking around--there he is almost directly across from us...coming down the stairs...across the floor, just about 8 feet from us and up onto the stage and the crowd is roaring like it had not roared all night long.
He rips though that and then straps on the guitar and goes crazy with the crowd on "Hollywood Nights" .... WOOOOOOOOO
We get the required "Do I Make You Proud" (dedicated to the men and women of the military)...and he is gone... foot stomping... screaming..clapping... and then he is back ..."Taking It To The Streets"...harp and all... down on his knees... having a good old time he is...
Then they all come out for the finale..and it is evident Taylor is supposed to be featured and in some ways he is, but he keeps moving back so others can take the spotlight and he runs the stage and he is grand.
Lights up.... off we go....and then I hear a squeal and look around and Marci is jumping up and down like a grasshopper on crack. Some woman just pushed a backstage pass into her hand....So, I smile (damn you red baron!!!) LOL and continue to walk outside. Our exit was right next to the buses and there are already people stacked up 4-5 deep around the barricades.
As I am standing there I keep hearing screams and cheers, so I climb onto a guard rail and can see over the top from about 30 feet away. Idols are making their way in and out of the building to and from the buses and everytime one appears the cheers go up.
Finally..after about 45 minutes..as I continue to wait for the stragglers and my ride back to the hotel (gee hope they didn't leave me???--ah nope there is the car!)...Taylor appears. Unlike the others, he goes straight for the crowd and beginning at one end, he proceeded to work the entire line...for at least an hour while we were still there. Paris came over for a bit and I think Ace signed a few..but NO ONE ELSE worked the crowd like he did.
It was his goal to ensure that he got to everyone possible...That impressed me ...
In the car... thought about hitting the bar in the lobby, but decided against it...back to my room...the evening portion of the Yankees/Boston doubleheader is still being played and it is almost midnight! I try to follow the score on ESPN, since it is not televised in Louisville -BARBARIANS! - but fall asleep before the final out (OH THEY WON BABY- LONGEST 9-INNING GAME IN MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY!).
Wake up... have some breakfast and head to airport...some huge thunderstorms roll through, but leave before we board and I get home and am exhausted...
Thanks again to all that made it possible... Huttonsv, gclef, Turn, for being cool seat-mates...
Now, I want to get to see Taylor...in concert...doing his thing.. and not being under the AI spotlight....
OK..have some pictures...not the best, but I do have some... blogger is not cooperating with uploads right now, so I will work on them and get them to you for tomorrow.
Thanks for sitting on THE COUCH, hope you enjoyed your stay.
Remember .. Nets For Malaria - UNFoundation.org/malaria - find the big SI's Nothing But Net logo ... Or call 202.887.9040. Every cent goes to buying nets to place over the beds of children in Africa to stomp out Malaria. PLEASE HELP.
Keep that spark of insanity kids...It helps keep you an individual.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Sounds like you had a grand lot of fun! I'm happy you guys got to see Taylor. Hope you get to see him again soon!
From the mind of Meribah
wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooI loved the re-cap. Can't wait for the pics. I am with you, I can't wait to see Taylor in his own element out of the AI Spotlight.
Oh, I loved the "Grasshopper on Crack" comment you gave about Marci. I would have been worse than a "Grasshopper on Crack" had that been me!
I so happy that you got to go and experience what so many of us have already experienced.
HUGS & SMOOCHES!
Lee Ann
Woooo - been waiting all weekend for this! It's so awesome that you got to go. Gee, though, couldn't tell which acts you preferred ... lol.
Coco
As everyone else is, I'm tickled to death you got to go to this concert! I, too, cannot wait to see Taylor after AI, not dancing with the devil anymore.
And ever the fair critic, you called 'em like you saw 'em, unlike me who was, like, OMGosh, every aspect of the concert was great! great! great! :)
There was an Elvis documentary on TV last night.....watching him, all I was thinking was, man, Taylor looks the same, dances the same, has the same charisma, same sex appeal.....There were such resemblances to me. Wow, the sky's the limit for a smart businessman like Taylor.
cool....wish i could have been there!
I blame the duck! You know.... that DAMM LURKING DUCK!!! WOOOOOOOOOO
Well cousin I just read your blog and sound like you hasd a great time. I do have a question after reading it how old are these friends if they were their with their parents. I thought that sounded a bit weird so I must not understand the connection. I am still looking to catch up with you one of these days.
Denise
:tacklehugs Bond:
You beautiful man you - of course there were cows!
The first thing I did when I came home even before taking off my shoes and bra was to check your blog. So glad you and Turn and Marci et all had a wonderful time even if you didn't get to tatoo my number all over Taylor's perfect little body :)
Hugs,
Dana
Dude!! glad you got to experience the awesomeness of Taylor live!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
*takes her $100 out of the "get Bond out of jail" fund*
To all who had the bail money ready..thanks.. but Bond never gets arrested...(rut ro...jinxed it now)
Cousin D: The kids in the lobby had nothing to do with my group of friends. They were just in the hotel and also going to the concert...ages ranged from about 8 to about 60 or so at the concert.
Dixie: Gotta tell you- I loved that "grasshopper on crack" line too and I really think it fit the moment! LOL Marci
Robs: Yes..many similarities between the two as far as stage presence goes
Dana: Wow.. the blog before the bra... how special am I folks???!!! C'mon... you gotta believe I am special if I get read before the bra comes off!!!! LOL
My favorite part about Marci getting the backstage pass was when, after we got her to stop hopping and squeeeeing, she asked us "Do you think I should do it?" LOLOLOLOL
Turn: And wasn't it you who said "Not worth it give me that pass I will throw it away" ...guess she might have if you hadn't broken out laughing!
Joyce: SP'er is short for SOUL PATROLER'S - the official fan club for Taylor Hicks
Hey Bond! :) I dont' think I've ever met you, but I got here through the link on Dana's blog! I'm glad you had a good time in Kentucky! I was there also and got to give Taylor a gift I had sworn I was going to hang onto until I was sure I could give it to him. I never actually met him, but I did get the gift to him! Louisville was awesome! I'm glad to hear about some of the other Kentucky Soul Patrollers too... I don't think there's many around here sadly. :(
-Cass
p.s. - if you wanna see my Louisville pics they're on my website. http://www.freewebs.com/beatlebandaide/