Last night’s show in Charlottesville was one that some might consider a hometown show for Chris Richardson. I’m not really sure which one he considers his hometown show… maybe both last night’s, and tomorrow night’s in Hampton. Anyway, where you there? Let us know what you thought of the show, and as always, if you have pics and/or videos, please share those with us too!
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I would think that he would feel at home anywhere in VA. Regardless, I bet he got an awesome response! I hope he gets to go home for a little bit.
Well, I tried to email my recap, but don’t see it in the outbox.
I do have tons of pictures and some short videos. My daughter put it on a CD but I can’t access them for some reason. I will have to get her to email them to me. I think her CD burner is shot because there is nothing on that CD.
I apologize for my random thoughts and any spelling errors.
First a little geography lesson. Charlottesville, VA is located 2-1/2 hours southwest of Washington, DC and it’s about 2-1/2 hours northwest of Norfolk/Hampton and Chesapeake, VA (home to Chris R.). It is home to University of Virginia. It is not Chris’ hometown, but home STATE. Blake said “It’s just down the road from Chris’ hometown.”
I arrived at the arena, John Paul Jones, which is off campus and only 1 years’ old. There was never an Idol concert there before.
I bought my tickets from StubHub and was worried the whole time they were bogus; but they scanned it and didn’t stop me. The seats were for Floor 1, Row G, seats 19 & 20. This woman points me down in the main direction of my seat but I just couldn’t figure it out so someone else escorts me to the 2nd row (middle of stage). I have the aisle seat, my daughter sits next to me. She is an Idol fan; however I have tasked her with the camera duty. I looked up and noticed I was about 10 feet away right in front of Blake’s Loop Pedals. OMG. Let me put it this way–I can see his pupils once he came on stage.
So a stadium security guard is standing right behind the barrier and starts talking to me. He asked me who was my favorite. I said Blake. So he offers his hand to shake and he says. “Well, shake the hand of the man, who in a short while I’ll be on stage with Blake (the other security guard).” Of course, I know all about Blake and the security guard thing. Now, all I am thinking is that I have probably the best view anyone has every had at a concert. There’s only one seat in front of me, I have the aisle and it’s a two foot walk to the barrier.
About 7:10, my friendly security guard takes his position and another guard is positioning himself at the other end. I immediately spot Blake and start yelling “there’s Blake.” So everybody who’s around me looks there and I have to tell them “he’s the security guard.” Poor Blake. Here he is trying to act serious like a security guard and all these girls start waving at him, taking his picture, screaming “I love you.” Blake had a hard time keeping a straight face and trying to act official. I can see some of the older folks around there wondering why such a big deal about a security guard???
Everyone knows the line up of the songs so I won’t go into that, just give an overview. So now the security guard walks up to the middle of the stage and whips off his disguise and “let’s get started….begins. Jordin did not wear her big ass dress this time and both she and Blake sing that song but quickly leave the stage.
For the first half of the show all I kept saying was “I can’t believe my seat and OMG, I can’t believe my seat.”
The crowd was a funny mix of people. Lot of families. I spotted all the Blake/Chris R fans right off. There weren’t many people with posters or signs. Two girls down my row had Blake signs, one to my right had a Melinda sign. The two girls who eventually sat in front of me (they were very short thank god) were split with Blake & Sanjaya. 75 to 90 percent of the text messages were variations of Blake, I love you Blake, Marry be Blake, etc.
I have to tell you that I don’t want to make anyone mad, but Chris R. has won me over. He is one fine looking boy. He is well built and slim. He wore this dark go-to-church suit and let me tell you, moms and dads would let him date their daughters.
Blake was the crowd favorite and entertains like its nobody’s business. I firmly believe that he is probably the person who was responsible for making this group like eachother so much. He of course is a dork, and a class clown. The security guards clearly liked him, as do the band, back-up singers and all the idols. He is obviously the type of guy, once he lets you into his space, will be his friend for life, totally loyal. I have a feeling that in kindergarten he did a lot of “time-out” and in elementary school he wrote “I will not disrupt the class” on the blackboard quite a bit.
Did I mention I could see his pupils from my OMG seat?
Now, there is no doubt that Lakisha was the best vocal of the night. She still needs work on her stage presence but I am convinced she’s shy and scared stiff but damm can that girl sing better than Whitney. Whitney who? Her solo was unbelievable. I have to give her that. Melinda is still a “back-up” singer compared to Lakisha. Jordin doesn’t hold a candle to Lakisha.
Phil S was very good, he sure had that Blaze of Glory down pat. He really does have a great voice on stage. I liked Gina because I am a rocker at heart. Sanjaya was entertaining kind of…I can certainly do without him putting his hand near his crotch and gyrating to and fro. First of all, he’s so damm skinny he can’t have much to write home about….(sorry can’t help myself). I wasn’t too impressed with Haley or Chris S, but Haley was the least impressive with Sanjaya being the very bottom.
Melinda was Melinda but not as good as I expected. Blake & Chris had people on the floor always standing for anything they were doing on stage yelling and screaming. People screamed for Chris but went nuts for Blake. Did I mention I could see their pupils?
Jordin set starts and there’s the I Who have Nothing Song. That was the only song I liked when she first did it on Idol but because she is only 17 LOL, it doesn’t suit her and I am tired of it. The other two songs she screamed. That girl should not try to be a rocker. Noticed some folks starting leaving and 4 people in front of me left halfway through Jordin’s first song. She had to tell people to stand up because she was going to dedicate ‘livin on a prayer” to another ailing great grandparent and was asking for our prayers. Then came THIS IS MY NOT and again, people didn’t exactly go nuts. They were polite, don’t get me wrong, but she didn’t get the applause that many of the others got, certainly not as the crowned Idol. I had the feeling people we thinking, yeah, yeah, finish so Blake can come back on stage for the finale.
As you can imagine, Blake’s set was fantastic. SWBL/WOWY was not as good as I thought some of his other versions were. He didn’t stay too long on the WOWY part. His beat boxing was unbelievable and Chris R is definitely getting better too. Everyone went nuts when he did YGLABN. Every time Blake showed his face on stage, the crowd definitely reacted.
So, it’s over and everyone takes off except Chris R. He jumps down and starts at one end and greets people. OMG, I see him coming towards me (I am right against the barrier now). I scramble for the playbook which is permanently creased at Blake’s page. I frantically look for Chris’ page. Shit he’s almost here. I can’t have him sign Blake’s page. Suddenly, I find Chris’ page a second before he is in front of me. I just thrust the damm thing in front of him with a pen. I didn’t say a word. I felt like a total mute. Couldn’t say even hi! I was the first to do that. He looks worried “am I an ninja..?” Then all of a sudden everyone else points stuff at him. He takes my pen and goes down the line signing. What have I done to that poor boy. He comes back and returns my pen. I tell you, he won me over. What a nice guy. Blake is still tops mind you, but Chris is slowly making his way right next to Blake.
As soon as I get the photos I’ll try to post them and the clips I have. Did I mention I could see their pupils from my OMG seats?
reinharv, let me just tell you how much that recap tickled me especially the numerous references of being able to see their pupils! hee! I love it! You sure had some amazing seats to be able to see that up close! Can’t wait to see your pics!
Reinharv, loved your recap! Thanks so much for posting it! You had some great seats, girl! I’ve been looking for tix to Saturday’s show (no, I don’t have them yet, yikes!), and I found some good ones on stubhub too. So we’ll see. They seem to have some pretty good deals.
I’m glad to hear you had a great time! Chris R is definitely a total sweetie. That’s so cute that he returned your pen. :)
What did the daughter think? Who were her faves?
Can’t wait to see your pics! I bet you got some great shots!
Reinharv, there is much to love in your recap!
Starting with this:
What a great, great, great recap! I am totally with you on the C Rich love - Blake is my first love, but damn it all to hell, C Rich has stolen my heart, too. :)
I cannot wit to see those pictures you took from your OMG seat!!!! *L*
reinharv I loved your recap and I’m so glad you had OMG!seats :)
Very cute CRich story. I felt my icy heart melt just a little bit. LOL @ your comment about him wondering if you were a ninja!
Heh! Well I’m with the folks above here–except i want to add how it tickled me, you saying you just thrust the book in front of chrisR, and went “mute”!! LOL. That getting frozen thing, that is so wierd isn’t it?? Heehee!
Great seats! I don’t blame you for being like OMG all night one bit.
Awesome recap! I love you and your OMG seats.. hahaha.
OMG! What a fantastic recap! Thanks for sharing. OMG - their pupils?? My take on the performances/idols is nearly the same as yours with the exception of Sligh. I actually really love his voice. Your recap gave me a silly little grin!
Sarah:
My daughter is just an Idol fan. She just loves that show. Her favorite is LaKeisha. Here is Lakeisha standing right in front of my OMG seat and Valerie yells “Love you LaKeisha!” LaKeisha looks down at her and gives her a shy look and then cups her hand and gives her a little wave and smiles at her. Valerie also yells at Blake “Grandma loves you Blake!” Thought I would die. She even text messaged that. She at least takes Chris R’s hand and shakes it politely while her mute mom, who let me tell you, is not shy about talking, just thrusts her playbook at his face demanding an autograph.
Valerie shows her kids (she has three kids: one is 6 and the twins are 4) the pictures and videos on her camera the next day. She shows the video of Grandma grooving to Blake’s set and the kids say: Never mind, show us Blake. They wanted to see him say “Who’s your daddy?” because that’s what I tell them all the time.
Val also likes Blake because I’d kill her if she didn’t.
You trained her well. hehehe!
Hey I just found a new article on C-Rich hometown show tonight.
Blake -related:
There is a video to the side of the screen where they show the Idols partying up last night at a local club.
Blake is dancing with Sanjaya’s sister! Heh. HE looks Hot by the way.
They all look like they were relaxing and having fun. C-rich introduces his family and friends too.
Check it out here.
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=132660&ran=210741
I just posted that vid in the thread where the video was, I guess I should I have posted it here, oops! lol I think right now our Bshorty feels better than I do! hee
Your recap was a blast to read. Thanks for the OMG giggles and the
C Rich love.
maracaibo totally agree with you there, he looks hot and she seems quite happy being right next to him. Thanks for posting this, it is nice to see them all having fun together. Even Lakisha was there:)
CRich was funny when he went up to Jordin while she was dancing, and he was “Okay, we are moving on.”
Reinharv thanks for the recap:)
I know Anne. All of us can’t be good dancers. :D Some who have seen this thought B looked a little intoxicated. Even if he had a few, he wasn’t “falling down” drunk. It seemed more to me he was being himself. I’m sure most of the over 21 crowd had a few.
Pam,
I’m with you on more of him being himself and having a good time. They were at a club, I’m sure they had a drink or two…I would have:) It was just fun seeing them all in their because this is their last week together. That is why it was nice to see Phil, Lakisha and even Sanjaya.
And can I just say the B and Sanjaya’s sister looked very cute dancing together; not saying that they are together, but that they just looked so comfy together:)
Thanks reinharv for the great recap! I luaghed so hard! “i can see their pupils” oh thats funny!
its strange how kids can compose themselves, but adults seem to lose the ability to talk or to function….
It just all goes back to effect he has on us women. hee
Great recap, and an awesome vid from that article! Blake did look at least a little buzzed to me, but I don’t blame him - they were at a club party. It was a great way to blow off some steam - even if he should’ve been resting and trying to get well. I must say, I’m the teensiest bit jealous of Sanjaya’s sister getting to dance that up close and personal with Blake! lol Then again, I be totally embarassed and red-faced if he was dancing that close to me since I was brought up without ever doing the dance party thing…
Damn, I’d be a puddle on the floor if Blake was all up in my now the way he was in Shyamali’s. :)
I loved that video - so good to see everyone having a good time! Except for C rich, Jordin and Sanjaya, they all looked like they had a drink or two to me… And that is more than fine! They SHOULD enjoy their last days together. It’ll soon be over. :(
Haley and Lakisha were funny in this.
*LOL* I’d still be a puddle, regardless!
Heh! I just like the *thought*. Carry on! ;-)
i wish i could see the vid but i cant dont know why?
Here is a detailed review of the concert from the idol chatter blogs:
It starts at the 3rd comment on that page.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2007/09/idol-scorned-by.html#uslPageReturn
Pam thanks for posting that. Always nice to hear someone enjoy the show for what it is.
“Blake “blew it out the box” as Randy would say”
You got to like that:)
I emailed all my pictures of the Blake Jacksonville show to teamplaid@gmail.com because I couldn’t figure out how else to do it. There were about 4 emails with attachments.
These are some of the photos I got from the Jacksonville tour.
Hope this works:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14009749@N05/