Just a few articles about Blake’s homecoming events yesterday.
From the Seattle Times: A Tidal Wave of “Idol” Worship
The Bothell crowd of more than 7,000 was growing restless. Where was its American Idol? Some teens chanted “We want Blake!” Others hoisted “We Ache for Blake” or “Bothell Boy, You Rock!” signs. And then, off in the distance, the twirling lights of police cars, the thundering beats of the Inglemoor Marching Band and Blake Lewis, all smiles and waves and two-fingered kisses, sailing down Main Street in a Mustang convertible with his beaming parents.
Later on in the article:
In its sixth season, “American Idol” — still attracting nearly 30 million viewers to each of its twice-weekly shows — is an undisputed vault into music stardom. Contestants perform on Tuesdays, and the field gets smaller each week as viewers vote on who should stay. The results are announced on Wednesdays. And regardless of whether Lewis wins, he should have an easy time now getting a recording contract, said musician friends who performed with Lewis on Friday.
Seattle and Bothell got a taste of what a Blake Lewis album might sound like as he took both crowds through a hip-hop/reggae/techtronica set, all laced with his beat-boxing, and backed up with local band — and Lewis’ good friends — AriSawkaDoria.
He sang two of the songs he’s performed on “American Idol” — songs by Jamiroquai and Keane — as well as some original compositions, each one with a groovy, rhythmic vibe.
Continue reading articles about Blake’s homecoming.
Also from the Seattle Times: “Idol’s” Blake packs Westlake Mall for concert, heads to Bothell for parade
Blake Lewis — Bothell’s, Seattle’s and America’s newest star — packed Westlake Mall for a lunchtime mini-concert/cellphone-camera frenzy on Friday. Hundreds bobbed their heads and snapped photos of the “American Idol” contestant as he scatted and beat-boxed his way through a hip-hop/reggae/techtronica set with local band — and Lewis’ good friends — AriSawkaDoria.He sang two of the songs he’s performed on “American Idol” — songs by Jamiroquai and Keane — which have convinced the show judges and fans alike that he’s both current and talented.
Then Lewis teamed up with Seattle’s old-school local rapper, Sir Mix-A-Lot, singing “Baby Got Back.”
“The people on that show can singggggg. And that’s it,” Sir Mix-A-Lot said. “But this cat’s got real talent!”
From Seattlepi.com: “Idol” Mania Hits Home as Blake Lewis Returns
While Blakemania took over the region Friday, its object, “American Idol” finalist Blake Lewis, kept his cool. Lewis attracted several thousand fans at events in Bothell and downtown Seattle.
On Tuesday, Lewis will try to outperform fellow contestants Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle to stay in the competition. Until then, he’s basking in hometown love.
At an afternoon parade and concert in Bothell, an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people screamed, cheered and followed Bothell’s favorite son. Lewis, seated between his mother, who was wearing a Blaker Girls T-shirt, and his father, rode in a blue Mustang convertible. He blew kisses, waved and at one point stood up in the car and gave his fans a hand.
Ear-piercing shrieks followed Lewis down Main Street to Bothell Landing, where fans ignored police requests to stay back. The crowd weaved between cars stopped on Bothell Way and state Route 527. Cyclists on the Burke-Gilman Trail paused to take in the spectacle.
Everyone said they’d never seen such a huge crowd in Bothell, not even for the Fourth of July.
Among those greeting him was Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. A fax from Paula Abdul arrived announcing that next week Blake would sing “Roxanne.” Lewis took the stage, thanked the crowd for their warm support and sang five songs.
From HeraldNet: Bothell swoons for Blake
BOTHELL - The sound of screaming teenage girls echoed across Bothell on Friday, welcoming crooner Blake Lewis to an all-”American Idol” homecoming.As many as 7,000 fans lined Bothell’s Main Street and filled the riverside amphitheater at the Park at Bothell Landing for an up-close look at Lewis, 25, a finalist on the hit Fox television show.
“You are our Bothell star,” Mayor Mark Lamb said as the crowd shrieked its approval.
Dressed in a stylish embroidered T-shirt, Lewis mouthed the word “wow” again and again as the city heaped awards and proclamations on its latest favorite son.
“Are you having a good day?” Lewis asked the crowd. “Because I’m having an amazing day!”
Friday was declared Blake Lewis Day in Bothell and Seattle, and Bothell’s mayor presented a Walk-of-Fame plaque to the nascent pop star.
Looks like our boy had a great day yesterday.
We complain a lot of about AI and TPTB, but I have to give them kudos for putting together this incredible day for Blake. All the hard work Blake put in to get to the top 3, and his fans for voting him through really paid off with yesterday’s celebration. Blake and his fans deserve a pat in the back.
Happy to see Blake smiling.
What an amazing day! I really hope all of that energy gave Blake the jolt he needs to really rock things out on Tuesday night. It has to be inspiring to see all of those people supporting him. :)
And I love what Sir Mix-a-lot said about him. It’s exactly why I’ve been a Blake supporter all season long. These other contestants are great singers, but Blake has true artistic talent that none of them can match.
Next task, let’s win him a new car. Who’s game?
How do we win him a car?
Karen, last year, both Taylor and Katharine got new Mustangs since they were the top 2. We’re thinking they’ll do the same this year. :)
The final 2 wins a new car (a Ford obviously). They started doing that in season 4.
This is where WE come in! New car for Blake!!!! Hopefully, he’ll keep it out of the danger zone.
I’m corny. Sorry.
Product placement for the sponsors. What do they have in store for this year. More goodies.
That pic of Blake standing in the convertible and pointing at the camera is just adorable.
I listened to the local affiliate CBS radio broadcast of the Yankees/Mariners ballgame last night. Blake’s rendition of the national anthem occurred during the commercial break, but right after the commercials, the sports broadcast announcer mentioned along the lines of this — there were huge cheers, for Blake Lewis who just sang the national anthem, which meant he is on American Idol. It’s good that the broadcaster mentioned a a bit of this.
LOved the articles.. Thanks!
I really believe all the support he got at his homecoming will inspire Blake next Tuesday night. I hope it motivates him to give it his all
I bet when he sings Roxanne he will have the same attitude as when he sang Time of The Season. Sexya s Who’s your daddy? Heh.
I am excited for TUeday night.. I think Blake is ready to fire back.
“We complain a lot of about AI and TPTB, but I have to give them kudos for putting together this incredible day for Blake”
They didn’t do anythin for him. Lol, it was all about the people in Seattle and Bothell. The AI people just sent him home..others took care of all that great stuff! I hope TPTB actually show the huge crowds and don’t cut anything out.
“I bet when he sings Roxanne he will have the same attitude as when he sang Time of The Season. Sexya s Who’s your daddy? Heh.”
Im thinking thats what will happen :D Girls, keep a change of panties with you!! :D
“Everyone said they’d never seen such a huge crowd in Bothell, not even for the Fourth of July.”
Wow, just wow….those people there are amazing!
“Dressed in a stylish embroidered T-shirt, Lewis mouthed the word “wow” again and again as the city heaped awards and proclamations on its latest favorite son”
Awwwwwwwwww!!!!
Thank you *so much* for all of these awesome links! It’s been so much fun catching up tonight! Somewhere Only We Know was once again beautiful beyond description, especially the end. He sounded so incredibly energized! The original song… very cool!
I am *so* working that booty shake from Baby’s Got Back into a voting banner this week!
Roxanne will be such a perfect song for our boy. My goodness… I’ve wanted to hear him do Sting for weeks now.
Hehe… *I* hope that he takes that awful tuxedo shirt, tie dyes it, and wears it again next week.
So let’s hear it for our boy! I’m going to try to get a Go Phone this time, if somebody here will help with how to use it.
GO BLAKE! GO TEAM PLAID!!! SAVE THE BEATBOXER, SAVE THE WORLD!!!!!
*skips off to watch BGB & the National Anthem just one!more!time*
ehe… *I* hope that he takes that awful tuxedo shirt, tie dyes it, and wears it again next week.
Jenlar.. Anything but the tuxedo shirt.. Please.
You are giving me a hard time aren’t you.
If it was for me I would burn that tuxedo shirt. Heh.
I just want to see the plaid pants back so bad. I hope he uses them for one song. Crossing fingers.
I hate to do the my idol is better than your idol thing - but I think reading all the news on the homecomings, Blake really got the best homecoming arranged for him. It may be because he was willing to sing more or give more concerts or whatever, but he got to do a whole lot more than the other two.
His national anthem was really very good. I was expecting it to not be as good because it’s a hard song and Blake’s range is limited (I’m a fan - don’t shoot me). Really good job.
One last thing - I have been reading in the blogosphere how people are underestimating Blake because he wasn’t that great last week. Very dumb. Today alone, I’ve heard from 3 people who said they never vote but will next week because the finale would be boring without Blake, someone truly unique to the competition. It’s uncertain he will make the finale and the producers may very well stick him in the first spot. But nobody’s letting him go home without a fight and curses can be broken. Blake already broke one by singing You Keep Me Hanging On and not going home.
Ok - I’m done. Save the beatboxer! Save the world!
Thank you for the enhancements, MJ! :)
LB2,
Exactly what I was thinking. I wonder if anyone’s already doing a homecoming comparison in all the AI blogs?
And if everyone hasn’t already seen, there is a best three part, EXTREMELY close up, excellent audio, You Tube video of the Westlake, has the best of BGB, Emotional Waterfall, etc, though it cuts off She Loves the Way after the beginning (*cries*). You can’t find it through searching yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpIsnybDdrY&mode=user&search=
Now I have to try to find that Bothell Landing video again, drat, where was it?!
Thanks Tasha. Incredible video - except for the signs and the screeming tweens. Ack. I really felt for him. I hope he can do something for some of those bands he mentioned. I know his shoutouts went over the heads of many, but I hope not all.
Watching that first video, I couldn’t help but think that CJ must be Blake’s Bez. Anyone here familiar with the Happy Mondays?
I’m really liking AriSawkaDoria, Blue Scholars, Panda Conspiracy, and Missing Players from what I’ve heard on MySpace. I think Blake has pretty good taste in colaborators. I can’t even say that about some of the musicians I know.
Also, looks like he did the re-mix of All Mixed Up at Westgate. Creatively titled “All Re-Mixed Up.” Gotta love 311.
I’m getting annoyed with youtube right now too. When I search for Blake I can’t find anything less than 1 day old.
Hey guys,you have to watch this Idolatry video Slezak does weekly.
http://www.ew.com/ew/package/0,,20007164_20013312,00.html
Of course they dished Blake for his Bee Gees performance, criticize his tuxedo shirt,too much beatboxing, bla, bla. THey keep saying the beatboxing is becoming a gimmick for Blake. Whatever.
Michael was very dissapointed with Blake this week. He just changes with the flow. Ughh..
Anyways, they are also saying that the show is very obvious with the Jordin pimping.. They counted the times she has been closing the show. Heh. Four to be exact. They also think Jordin is a lock for the final 2. Was there any doubt? Duh.
One fun fact: The senior editor of EW was the college roommate of Bothell’s mayor Lamb who gave Blake his song today. Can you imagine? What a coincidence. They are going to talk by phone with the major this upcoming week on their next idolatry video. Heh.
I hope Blake gives a kickass performance this week and shuts them up. Just wanted to share all this. Good night!
The videos are getting closer & closer!!!
She loves the way (thru the lyrics twice… hot!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Ozso4wJQQ&mode=user&search=
Emotional Waterfall:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ3BFJawQ00&NR=1
I’ll see if I can rip/convert/post for y’all. LMAO at those lyrics sung to an AI crowd.
Erinn - I agree AriSawkaDoria and Blake lewis make the coolest band together I hope to see another show but when? whowill blake play with at the tacoma dome? or on tour? This was the best show I have ever been too it was unreal!
whan is panda conspiracy or missing players doing a show next?
For info on Missing players or Panda Conspiracy check here:
www.myspace.com/missingplayers
www.myspace.com/pandaconspiracy
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article oming News Roundup at Team Plaid, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.