A View From The Cheap Seats . . .
Last week I wrote a blog about my evening at the Faith Hill and Tim McGraw concert, and the exciting treatment I received as a VIP – from being escorted backstage, to the VIP party, to the private performance by Tim & Faith before the concert, and our outstanding seats four feet away from the stage.
This week, I’m going to give you all a recap of my view from the “cheap seats” at the American 
Idol concert I went to this past weekend. (Try and say “cheap seats” three times real fast – HA!). We bought these tickets months ago and got the best seats we could at the time, but let me tell you, there is a HUGE difference between being a VIP and being a concert go-er with just average seats.
First of all, there were no free drinks or a buffet to eat from. We had to stand in a long line at the concession stand and ended up with a cold, bland hamburger (trust me, this was the best choice for my diet!) and a diet Coke. Then we went to find our seats and discovered that we were so far away that we had to watch the big screen above the stage if we really wanted a good look at any of the performers. This particular concert is held at an ice hockey rink that they make over for concerts, so we were sitting on the side and had to twist our bodies and crane our necks to the right to see the stage. Both my husband and I ended up with kinks in our necks by the time the concert was over. 
All the pictures you see here on the blog for the American Idol concert were NOT taken at the actual concert by me. Again, we were too far away to take pictures, so we didn’t even bother. There was no reaching out to shake anyone’s hand, or to tug on anyone’s pant leg, LOL. And there was no reason to stand up, because it didn’t get us any closer to the stage or the performers.
When the concert began, I noticed a huge difference in this crowd compared to the Tim and Faith crowd. Even though there were only 20,000 people at this concert , compared to 60,000 at the Tim and Faith concert, this audience was equally as loud. Except, while the audience at the T&F concert was made up of 90% adults, I’d have to say that the American Idol crowd was about 70% kids from the ages of 5 to 17 years of age – and mostly GIRLS with their moms. Their cheers were shrieks of excitement, the high-pitched kind that make you cringe because it hurts your ears. Or maybe my husband and I are just getting old, LOL! Anyway, it seemed like we were in the midst of a teeny-bopper concert, and all we could do was laugh. 
If you’re an American Idol fan, I’ll give you a run-down of the concert - - and my opinion on who I liked best, etc. The Idols that were just “okay” for me were Mandisa, Paris, Kellie, Ace, and Bucky. Seeing them live really made me realize that they all need to really work on their vocals. While they are all good singers, they just aren’t “stellar”, in my opinion. However, the teens in the audience would likely disagree with me, judging on their shrieks – especially for Ace, LOL! 
The one Idol who absolutely blew me away with her performance was 16 year old Lisa Tucker. During the TV show, I thought she was just okay, but at the concert I thought she had the night’s strongest performance among the women. She sat down at a piano and gave the audience a heartfelt rendition of Elton John’s “Your Song” – with no accompaniment from the band. Her singing literally gave me goosebumps, it was so good. Who knew she was so outstanding? I honestly never saw that side to her on the show. 
Katharine McPhee was also really good. I enjoyed her singing a lot and she definitely wowed the crowd. She’ll have a great career, I’m sure.
Elliott Yamin has always been one of my personal favorites. He’s not a rocker, but rather a guy who prefers smooth jazz and R&B and sings it very well. He’s mellow, yet he’s got an amazing vocal range that works for me. If he puts out an album, I’ll definitely buy it. Oh, and he did a duet with Chris Doughtry that was surprisingly good. The two sing very well together because they both have very distinct voices.
Taylor Hicks. There’s no doubt that he has a great voice. However, I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I’d be with his performance. If you watched the TV show, you’ll remember that Taylor was always twisting and twitching on stage and doing his funky dances. This show was no different – except after the first song he was out of breath, and the other three songs he sang just fell flat because he continued to run around the stage, and the words to his songs came out between huffs and puffs of breaths. I’m not joking! My husband and I were both disappointed because we expected a stronger performance from Taylor.
Of course I saved the best for last. Mega-talented Chris Daughtry. 
The man has a voice that is gravelly and sexy, raw and edgy, and one you’d recognize with your eyes closed, 
it’s that distinct. Compared to the cheers for Taylor Hicks and the more modest (but enthusiastic) applause for the other Idols, I do have to say that the audience shrieked and screamed the loudest for Chris – which really made me wonder why he got cut from the competition so early since he was clearly a huge favorite among the crowd. In his concert performance, he was the most polished, confident performer of the entire bunch – hands down. He brought the house down with his rendition of “Wanted Dead or Alive”, and based on audience feedback, I think he may be poised for the biggest post-idol career. I’m not a huge hard rock fan, but I, for one, will be buying his album as soon as it’s released.
Overall it was a fun concert and evening out – if you don’t count the incredibly rude guy who was sitting behind us that had a commentary on the entire concert and performers, and talked through the nearly 2 ½ hour event. 
Don’t you hate annoying people like that who talk during movies, plays, or concerts that you’re trying to enjoy? That’s a huge pet peeve of mine – and a blog for another time!
I’m not a reality t.v. fan, so I never watched Idol. Don’t really feel bad about it either.
However I will respond and say yes, I hate those annoying people - and most of the conversation is them asking questions about the movie because they’re too busy talking to pay attention! And there are those out there who still bring their cell phones, and inevitably end up sitting in front of me….
Comment by Stacy ~ — August 31, 2006 @ 6:37 am
I’m with Stacy, I’ve never seen American Idol (no, I don’t really live under a rock, I just spend all my time reading instead of watching TV - unlike my husband). I’m glad you enjoyed at least one of the acts and I’m with you guys on the talkers too.
I went to see DaVinci Code and the guy behind me talked non-stop. Biggest problem - I knew him and I was really torn between turning around and telling him to shut-up - in front of his new wife and step-daughter - and just biting my tongue.
The doctor says the swelling should subside in a year or so…
Comment by Jodie — August 31, 2006 @ 7:31 am
Glad you had a great time in spite of it!
Comment by Yolanda — August 31, 2006 @ 8:12 am
I usually only watch Idol when they get down to like 4 or 5. Right now I’m watching Rock Star where they are down from 13 to 5.
Them are the most annoying peple that have to do a commentary through the whole thing.
Comment by Christa — August 31, 2006 @ 9:22 am
I am more of a “Rockstar” fan…although, I haven’t seen this week’s show, I can’t believe they got rid of Ryan…he was the most talented of the bunch…I digress…
I know about those rude people. Geez. At least you got to have a ‘night out’.
Comment by katie — August 31, 2006 @ 10:29 am
I am not a big watcher of TV, I would rather read.
As for the people who are so ignorant that they talk through concerts, movies, etc. or worse yet talk on cellphones I find it really frustrating. I wish there was something that could be done about it, but I think that is just wishful thinking.
Overall, I am glad that you had a night out that was for the most part enjoyable.
Comment by Cryna — August 31, 2006 @ 10:51 am
I went to the AI concert here in Tampa, Fl and it was great. Kelly was sick and could not sing. Katherine sang two songs and only one song with everyone else because of her broken foot. Here in Tampa there were a lot of kids but to my surprise it looked like many more adults than kids. I
Mandisa did an awesome job at the show that I went to but I have to agree with you on Lisa. I thought she was just okay on the show as well but on the tour she blew it away. I kept saying why didn’t she choose these songs to sing on the show.
I was a big Taylor fan and still do like him but he didn’t do that great of show down here either. Chris on the other hand was unbelievable and most definitely stole the show. I can’t wait for his CD to come out. I heard something on TV the other day were they introduced Chris as the AI winner.
Elliott is amazing in his genre. I would buy his CD immediately and hope that he does make one.
Still even in the cheap seats it was a fun concert with lots of energy in the room.
Comment by Vicki — August 31, 2006 @ 11:13 am
i know i hate that.
Comment by kim H — August 31, 2006 @ 12:01 pm
I have never seen Idol so I don’t know anything about these people.I have heard of Taylor Hicks because he has done a commercial for Ford.
Comment by Estella Kissell — August 31, 2006 @ 4:03 pm
I love Chris and will also be buying his CD when it comes out.
Comment by Lori H — August 31, 2006 @ 5:18 pm
I watcheds American Idol until the year Reuben beat Clay Aiken. Reuben mother or someone in his family said they had called in hundreds of times to vote for Reuben. I didn’t think that was fair on the part of American idol judging. When I would vote that year I just called in and voted 1 time since I thought that was all you were allowed to vote.
I like Dancing with the stars method of voting where each telephone line has on so many votes it can cast then it is blocked when you reach your limit. I think AI should change their voting system to something more fair like that.
I’n our older age my husband and
I enjoy watching on his huge widescreen TV instead of attending things with rude teenagers . You see I use the word his TV.
Comment by Gigi — August 31, 2006 @ 5:52 pm
Chris D. was not my fav during that season. I was so excited when he got kicked off — it couldn’t be helped. I’m like that w/ all the huge ego people on Reality TV
I don’t think I could even muster up the money to go to one of those — I have way more important things to buy
Sounds like you had an awesome time tho
Comment by Qua — August 31, 2006 @ 8:51 pm
Oh my Gosh–Tim & Faith–I am soooo jealous!! I really love Tim. Faith is good also, I just don’t think she is pretty enough for Tim. He! He! He!
I would love to have the VIP treatment like that! I am agreeing with you on the AI, Chris!! He was/is the best, and he’s from my state!! I think he will go far! Take Care, and keep up the good work!
Comment by Renee — September 1, 2006 @ 12:30 am
I just read this entry to my fiance since we are both huge AI fans.
Comment by Rachael D. — September 2, 2006 @ 3:10 pm
ooops I somehow posted before I was finished! Anyway I was saying we’re both huge fans of AI. My mother wanted us to go to one of the concerts together but I said no thanks. I’m kind of glad I didnt go now. I would have been so disapointed if I was watching it on a screen rather then being able to see them! I loved Chris too and I think he should have won. I’m not surprised about Taylor huffing and puffing. I was a fan of his, but I dont see him having as long a career as Chris. I cant wait for Chris’ album. I’m sorry it wasnt more fun for you. Sometimes cheap seats can ruin it.
I saw Clay Aiken in concert in Atlantic City NJ a year or two ago. Because my fiance’s mother is a big gambler, we got free tickets and great seats, and free drinks. There was no food there but that’s ok. He sounded fantastic and I went nuts. I had really good seats. There was floor seats, and then up a couple steps were our seats in a sort of low balcony. They didn’t allow cameras though. Well I hope your next concert somewhere is better!
Comment by Rachael D. — September 2, 2006 @ 3:15 pm