Over the past week, fans have excitedly and sometimes struggled to put their impressions of this tour’s Christmas concerts into words. It has been a delight to read each fan’s different perspectives that focus on various aspects of David’s performances and the entire concert experience.

I will not repeat what others have already said, only to mention that I, too, was left speechless by the power of the performances. Now, a week after my concert, I am still shaking my head in wonder at the sheer passion and joy in these performances. How can I possibly communicate this experience and yet not replicate what others have already stated?

Turning Stone Entrance: We're Here!

Although I welcomed the joy of the tour’s performances, I knew that the recap might be a challenge to write because the past few months have not been easy for me as a David fan. Quite frankly, I am very burned out on the topic of David’s future direction and any other choices, even though I am confident that he has much untapped potential that will be unleashed with continued growth and the right people around him. The burn-out, though, has given me a sense of freedom and even peace. Over the past month, I decided to just let go, stop worrying over things I can do absolutely nothing about, and allow things to happen as they will. The result has freed me to simply come back to where it all began: that incredible pliable, foggy-singed, and soulful voice.

A Fan Convention in Verona

As I arrived at the casino last Saturday, the excitement over meeting other fans and attending the meet and greet quickly overshadowed any lingering thoughts that I had. I am very grateful for the two fans (you know who you are) who graciously invited me to travel with them by car from Ohio to New York. It was delightful to get to know them and share many laughs that we will remember for years to come.

As we approached Verona, my friend’s car had a digital display that counted down the miles to the casino. We called out the decreasing miles as we drew closer to our destination. “Fifty more miles! 10 more miles!” It was at once agonizing and exciting to see the miles finally dwindle down to zero. We’re here!

We arrived at the venue about three hours before the meet and greet. This was my first visit to a casino, and I felt as though I had stepped back into a 1970s’ evening television drama with the brown décore, cigarette smoke, and flashy evening gowns around me. However, knowing that it may well be my last visit to a casino, it was fascinating to observe the casino’s various restaurants and activity.

As with any David concert, a large part of the fun is catching up with old and new friends. I was absolutely dying to meet some of the fans that I knew would be at this venue. I’ve traveled to a good number of concerts in the past few years and have had the good fortune to meet many fans already. However, this East Coast concert introduced me to a whole new group of fans. Despite the fact that we have worked together at TDC for almost three years, I had never even met Marlie in person! We were long overdue for a visit. I admire HG’s thoughtful and prolific writing as another blogger, and I could not wait to meet her for the first time. Additionally, there were so many other online fan friends from across the sites and fandom I had yet to meet: Burkey, Sandy Beaches, Silverfox, Muldur, Emily4Archie, and many more. It was delightful to share recollections and humor with these fans over dinner and drinks during the weekend.

Passion, Snow, and Sound

Of course, the meet and greet and concert were the weekend’s highlights. No doubt many readers have already watched the Verona videos and read other recaps, so I will not repeat what others have recounted in detail. I thoroughly enjoyed my brief chat with David about a shared topic of interest, and the VIP performance’s intimacy reminded me of a small house concert. After weeks of having no David fans around my immediate locale, it was a joy to be in a small room with more than 100 other passionate fans who believed in David’s talent and future potential.

This photo has been used on various recaps, but it captures the beauty of the performance. (Credit: PaulFOD)

The performance. To borrow a British term, I was simply gobsmacked by his confident control of the stage, dance moves, vocal versatility, and the band’s cohesion. The band had tweaked the show a bit since Westbury. The inclusion of “Little Drummer Boy” as the finale was a fantastic choice. I will never forget witnessing the breathless moment of David holding up those two drumsticks before pounding out the song’s last part on Steven’s bass drum. As David sang “Silent Night,” the falling snow was a magical touch. I lifted my hands at one point to just catch the snow as it fell in the soft blue light.

The venue’s acoustics were an essential part of the Verona show. When the show began, I internally scolded myself for forgetting my earplugs because I am usually very careful about ear protection at loud concerts. However, it turned out that I did not need them. The rich acoustics actually reminded me of the House of Blues show in Chicago in March 2009. The sound was deep and vibrant, yet not overwhelmingly loud because it seemed to travel upward and around the room without much echo.

As I reflect on the show more than a week later, it is difficult to encapsulate the dynamic show in just a few paragraphs. However, my feeling of optimism remains. I may not understand all of the choices made so far or in the future with David’s career, and the ride may be a little bumpy at times, but to echo Marlie’s sentiment, I am confident that we are seeing the early days of the legendary voice of David’s generation. Let’s all just hang on and enjoy the ride.

–Freofan

Downtown Gilbert, Arizona

Phoenix is always otherworldly to me. I have visited the neighboring suburb of Tempe multiple times, but because I did not grow up in Phoenix, its architecture all looks the same and the seemingly endless suburban landscape makes me feel miniscule. Although I am well-traveled in other countries, I remain rather poorly traveled in the Southwestern American states. I looked forward to again visiting Phoenix, even if only for a very short time.

My previous concert travel to Myrtle Beach in late May had a much different personal tenor from this Phoenix trip. Prior to Myrtle Beach, I anxiously anticipated hearing the new band’s sound and seeing David perform live for the first time since last September’s ArtPrize headlining concert in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Myrtle Beach concert also marked the end of another work year for me, so it was a vacation celebration for me, too.

Unlike Myrtle Beach, I had new questions as the Phoenix date approached: Will the winter tour have a stop near me? What are David’s overall, even if vague, plans after the winter tour and into next year? Will he ever go back to make industry connections and work in Nashville, a city that he has described as musically special to him?

When I made my Phoenix travel arrangements several months ago, I did not consider researching the event’s background. Only in late August did I learn that the Phoenix concert appearance was a highlight of Gilbert’s annual Constitution Week USA event. Gilbert’s event is the area’s local iteration of the nationwide Constitution Week celebrations. The origin of Constitution Week can be traced to several Congressional acts. Congress designated September 17 as “Citizenship Day” on February 29, 1952. On August 2, 1956, Congress asked the president to proclaim the week beginning September 17 through September 23 of every year as “Constitution Week.”

Gilbert’s Constitution Week was initially organized by the area’s LDS church. In 2002, Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, who was then president of the Gilbert stake, asked Bill Norton and

Gilbert Constitution Week Publicity (grahic credit: Gilbert Constitution Week)

Barb Stowell to develop ways to celebrate the Constitution within the Gilbert stake. The group created a celebration that included a Constitution Week fair, Tribute to the Founders event, Family Lesson, and a September 11 memorial. Since then, the organizing committee has involved other local faith-based organizations and patriotic groups.

In more recent years, the Tea Party has played an important role in expanding the Constitution Week program around the country. According to a September 15, 2011 article in The Arizona Republic, the Tea Party hired Norton, Gilbert’s Constitution Week co-founder, to help develop Constitution awareness programs in schools.

David’s headlining concert on Sept. 17 marked Gilbert’s biggest-yet Constitution Week on its 10^th anniversary. The festivities included information booths and the Saturday festival that included the headlining concert, sky drivers, a short air show, fireworks, and videos that focused on themes such as patriotism. Organizers expected 10,000 people, which surely came to pass as crowds swelled around the stage in anticipation of David’s set.

Saturday’s events reflected a hometown vibe. The three musical acts that performed prior to David’s set reminded me of the local entertainment at the Midwestern county fairs and church festivals I attended as a child. The show opened with a trio, “Firefly,” which included three young sisters who sang patriotic songs and self-written material while playing guitars and fiddle. The second act, the Jones Boys, was a quartet of brothers who sang barbershop-style songs. The evening’s main emcee doubled as the lead singer of the third act, a local rock band.

The local talent was not always in tune or polished, but they were endearing and gave the festival a personal and hometown presentation. At times, the event organizers and help looked overwhelmed as they tried to manage the big show. The planes for the air show did not show up on time, so the organizers just went with it and moved on to the next item on the schedule. They were clearly trying their best and I was touched that they had the courage to try some new ideas this year to draw younger people to the show. As an older friend of mine would graciously say, “Bless their hearts.”

As always, the anticipation was palpable as David’s set approached. I hoped that David would see the creative posters that fans lovingly prepared. Fans were delighted when Mark Nilan, Jr. came into the crowd and greeted fans right before David’s set began. Part of the concert excitement is seeing the band, and fans came bearing cards and signs for different band members.

Fans in the "wristband" line waiting to get into the show (photo courtesy of Freo)

I will not detail the entire set list because videos and commentary have already been posted on YouTube and other fan sites. Was it David’s best live performance? No. In comparison to the Asian tour and Myrtle Beach performances, David’s stage presence at Gilbert was more subdued and he seemed to be struggling with allergies or fatigue, or both. However, I often reflect on David’s work schedule during the past few years and marvel at his productivity. Just thinking about his work pace at such a young age is enough to exhaust me.

As always, David hit the right notes and delivered a professional performance. The concert length did not seem too short and David sang a variety of patriotic songs, the “Heaven” cover, and selections from the first two albums. As many fans have no doubt already read about, David came out to greet fans by the barricade after a little awhile.

Gilbert Stage (photo courtesy of Freo)

I remain fascinated by the devotion of David’s fans. Many, like myself, had flown in from other states, and the Arizona Republic reporter who interviewed me earlier in the week was surprised to learn this information. I assured her that the fly-ins were nothing unusual, as David has devoted fans who seize chances to hear him live. The wonder of hearing David’s soaring and pliable voice live never fails to amaze me, and I look forward to hopefully having another opportunity to do so during the upcoming winter tour.

-Freofan

Recently, I borrowed Pamela Pike’s new book, Through Our Eyes: A Fan’s Perspective on Artist David Archueta, from a friend and was pleasantly surprised when the book’s first chapter introduced the concept of parasocial interaction theory. As Pike writes, “Individuals develop a relationship with celebrities, just as they would with people in a real community. Except the celebrities are not a part of the person’s life; thus the relationship is called a para-social relationship. This para-social relationship is the key to understanding the fan-celebrity phenomenon” (p. 5).

As a media studies researcher, it is not often that I encounter a psychological or communication theory in a non-academic book. Pike discusses the meanings that fans and professionals who have worked with David have derived from their interactions with him. In addition, Pike thoughtfully describes her religious conversion experience to David’s faith and her joy in sharing that news with David.

David presented with flowers during his recent Asian tour.

Parasocial interaction theory offers a fascinating opportunity to examine the range of fan relationships and behaviors regarding David. Pike asks: “We are infatuated with celebrities. We idolize them. We are followers at heart. We are celebrity obsessed. Why do we love them so much?” (p. 5) Parasocial interaction theory can help explain how some fans are so touched by David and his music that they have converted to his religion. Parasocial attachments are also apparent in how fans attend multiple concerts, give David gifts, passionately discuss David-related topics online, and attempt to communicate with him through letters and Tweets.

Pike’s book does not critically use parasocial interaction theory to examine fan behaviors. Parasocial theory could help uncover how Pike’s perceived familiarity with David through the mass media may have played a role in her conversion to the Mormon religion. Of course, a critical analysis is not Pike’s intention.

Although Pike does not conduct a critical analysis, her mention of the theory in the first chapter is spot-on. Parasocial interaction theory helps explains audiences’ attachment to David and even the fan angst around the as-yet-unproven mission rumor. Before I discuss these two issues, though, I would first like to extend Pike’s first chapter by briefly explaining parasocial interaction theory, which is a fascinating area of fan studies research.

A Brief Overview of Parasocial Interaction Theory

Without a doubt, the mass media has helped create fans’ attachment to David and other public figures. In the early 1900s, motion pictures originally appealed to non-English-speaking immigrants because movies told simple stories that could easily be understood. By the 1920s, the burgeoning motion picture industry attracted a broader audience. As audiences began to attend movies as a popular pastime, the movie studios realized that they could create celebrities and increase ticket sales. Movie studios began to develop celebrity culture by manufacturing celebrities such as Clara Bow (known as the “It Girl”), Mary Pickford, and Rudolph Valentino. Studios heavily promoted upcoming films and even fabricated celebrity scandals to publicize their products.

Clara Bow, the "It" Girl and Media Darling of Early Film

As the media industry expanded in the affluent post-war 1950s, psychology scholars asked why audiences developed familiar and strong attachments to celebrities in television shows, films, music, and radio. During this time of rapid cultural change, teenagers had more disposable income to spend on entertainment. Rock and roll, especially, created music heartthrobs who also appeared on television and in movies. It is no coincidence that teen fan magazines such as Tiger Beat and Datebook appeared by the mid-‘60s, and further placed celebrities in their fans’ everyday lives.

As a result of this constant exposure to their idols, audiences displayed certain peculiar behaviors. Teenagers wore mop-top wigs to mimic their favorite Beatle and wrote lengthy fan letters to actors. Audiences also sometimes acted in disturbing and angry ways. For example, when a Datebookcover story reprinted John Lennon’s controversial statement that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus now” in 1966, fans picketed concerts and staged bonfire burnings of their albums.

An early teen music fan magazine

To attempt to explain these fan behaviors, Donald Horton and Richard Wohl introduced the concept of parasocial interaction in their research paper, “Mass Communication and Para-social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance,” published in Psychiatry journal in 1956. Parasocial interaction refers to one-way interactions in which a person knows a great deal about someone else.

Although parasocial interactions can occur between non-famous people, the theory is especially relevant today as audiences learn about a real or fictional media persona through mass media such as television screen or vlogs. The media persona is frequently presented in a very familiar, conversational way and appears to speak face-to-face to the audience. Audience members form attachments to the persona and believe they have an intimate bond with the public figure. As Pike writes, “The distance between them and us can stretch thousands of miles. With constant exposure, our favorite star can almost feel like a family member, because he or she is absorbed into our everyday life” (p. 5).

An understandably not-so-happy David photographed during his private time.

This situation certainly is the case for me. I find in conversations that I often refer to David Archuleta as just “David,” like I would a family member. It makes no sense given that we are actually strangers to each other, but the parasocial interaction makes David seem familiar. Several years ago, I introduced myself to David at a concert and mentioned that I had given him a scrapbook at a previous concert. I quickly realized that my manner of speaking assumed familiarity, but in reality, I was probably just an unfamiliar face in a blur of tour activity.

Social Media and Parasocial Attachments in David’s Fandom

Like most millennial children, David is a heavy social media user. Vlogs, blogs, and even Twitter give the illusion of David’s one-on-one interactions with his fans. When David addresses fans through Twitter and vlogs, his communication feels friendly, personal, dependable, and direct.

Several years ago, I was intrigued when some fans mentioned that when they approach David at meet-and-greets, they sometimes feel as though they know him because he has been on Twitter or television so often. Parasocial interactions are apparent when fans think of David as a relative or friend. Social media only strengthen parasocial interactions because we are able to send messages to celebrities, and they can respond to us.

In many ways, the success of “American Idol” relies on parasocial interaction. Amanda Scheiner McClain, a communication professor at Medaille College in New York, offers a much-needed analysis of “American Idol” in her forthcoming book, American Ideal: How American Idol Constructs Celebrity, Collective Identity, and American Discourses (Lexington Books). McClain argues that the show’s official online discussion forums and interactive voting system generate audience loyalty toward the contestants.

In addition, McClain asserts that “American Idol” creates a narrative, or story, around each contestant to give the contestant a persona and build fan relationshiops with that person. In David’s case, I was instantly intrigued by his backstory of vocal paralysis. The overcoming-a-hardship narrative is a familiar device used by the show to generate loyal followers. David’s plotline, coupled with his soulful voice and shy demeanor, humanized him and I was hooked.

Moving forward three years, I have attended many concerts, met David on different occasions, and frequently communicate online with other fans. I enjoy following David’s vlogs and Tweets that describe aspects of his everyday life and professional work. All of these interactions encourage parasocial relationships as fans send David letters, give him gifts, and send frequent Twitter messages describing their everyday, minute activities.

Parasocial Interactions and the “Hacker” Controversy

Parasocial interactions can have a more troubling side in any fandom. Three weeks ago, David’s fandom imploded following the recent “Twitter hacker controversy” and subsequent appearance of trolls on various websites.

David sampling food on his recent Asia tour. His tweets about his everyday activities make him seem more real to his fans.

Whether the Tweets and trolls shared legitimate information is not my concern here. It is likely that David will test out new ideas and decisions as he navigates through life experiences in his 20s and beyond. Those decisions may or may not take him away from a public music career. Scanning across the different fan sites and chat rooms, I read the outpouring of fans’ reactions of surprise, confusion, sadness, and even grief about a possible departure from the music industry for two years or more

Some people discount parasocial relationships as trivial fan fantasies. However, parasocial interactions are powerful and real in today’s media culture. We feel kinship with David when we listen to his music and follow his online communication. When David shares how the fans motivate him to work harder, it helps us feel like we share a small part in his musical journey. Many fans look forward to David’s Tweets that might be about having a turkey sandwich, recording yet another song take, passing a school crossing guard, or learning how to drive a manual shift.

As I read online fan discussions over the past three weeks, I was repeatedly struck by how some fans have expressed how David’s departure and ensuing total silence would be like losing a friend. On one fan site this past week, the discussion turned to the topic of grief as fans honestly described their reactions to the mission rumor. Some fans shared their wide-ranging reactions that were underscored by an overall feeling of sadness.

I have appreciated many fans’ honest reactions. Not all fans agree that the fandom should even be discussing the mission rumor, but the grief is real within the context of parasocial interactions. If David walks away, I know that I will experience loss and sadness over someone who will probably never know who I am.

~ Freofan

EWTRTW - Screencap credit to muldur

When my local concert buddies first invited me to fly to Myrtle Beach to attend David’s concert this past Saturday, my initial reaction was that flying to a concert seemed like a very extravagant thing to do. I reasoned that I could stay home, write, read, putter in the garden, and just watch the videos online.

Luckily, my friends’ sense of fun and even reason prevailed, and I booked a flight to Myrtle Beach.  As soon as I boarded the flight, I knew I had made the right decision. It is always great fun to unabashedly discuss David’s music with fellow fans.

By now, many readers have watched videos from the concert and noted other online descriptions about it from other fans who were there. As other fans have mentioned, one large aspect about following David’s career includes the relationships developed through fan interactions. The fan community has truly become an extended family and I am grateful for the friendships I’ve cultivated. In my off-line activities, I lead a very busy life with a professional job that is frequently stressful and totally cerebral. I truly treasure the fan community that has given my life another necessary outlet of joy and fun.

This sense of community was certainly present at the concert. In plain words, the entire day was magical. My fan friends and I staked out our viewing area that morning with blankets. Taking shifts, some folks visited the nearby beach, strolled along the boardwalk, and enjoyed meals at the many restaurants lining the strip. The weather was perfect: bright, breezy, and golden.

By nightfall, the air was heavy with anticipation of David’s set. The field in front of the stage steadily filled as dusk approached. The heat of the day slowly lifted and the evening air became pleasantly cooler with a refreshing breeze. We watched the opening acts that included (among others) a short set by Ariana Grande, a young lady with a beautiful voice and rhythm.

I will not go into details about David’s set, as many of you have no doubt watched the videos and/or were present at the concert. However, the band’s sound and sense of chemistry were palpable from the first few chords. Of all the videos posted, my favorite one is the band introduction. I have watched this particular video over and over again. It was incredible to witness David’s thrilled reaction as each of the band members played an introductory solo.

As I reflect on the concert, it was amazing to observe a band that David had a heavy hand in choosing. The band members are extremely talented and I just love the funky, soulful, and jazzy groove. If anything, the concert gives us a foreshadowing of the incredible possibilities ahead. It is exciting to think about the band growing together as David himself also charts out the direction he seeks to move toward as he builds his stated foundation.

screencap from jonerzz vid

Moreover, I am impressed by the band’s kindness. While David completed a formal meet and greet inside a tent after the concert, the rest of the band easily chatted with fans and signed autographs. I was touched that David later joined his band in meeting the fans after the meet and greet ended. I stood nearby as fans told David how much they enjoyed the concert and the band’s sound. David was visibly pleased with how the concert went and it was a privilege to witness his joy.

I am very thankful that I was able to experience this magical evening. Looking forward, I believe that Saturday’s concert will be regarded as one of the musical landmarks long-remembered by David’s fans.

~ Freo

Do you know whose AVI this is?

For a long time now, Jackryan4Da, otherwise knows as JR, has been an integral part of this site, keeping the concert pages updated almost as fast as the videos appeared on YouTube. Through thick and thin she has been here, working and commenting, creating media files and sharing her incredible ability to sniff out the best videos and audios with us.

Recently, JR accepted an invitation to be a part of our Admin Team and will be writing for us in the near future as well. We look forward to having her join us. She has been an active commenter since the NotingDavid days, and even before that she was a participant at Snarky Archies. But JR was one of the fans who also has been with David since the very beginning. Hollywood week, you ask?  No, she’s been with David since Star Search days.

I spotted David long before AI.  It was actually during his Talent Search days.  It was shown here in Manila because he was competing with an MJ sounding Pinoy kid (who eventually became the winner).  I knew then that he had sumthin’-sumthin’ going on when he belted out a soulful Who’s Lovin’ You.  Season 1 of AI, I remembered him and wondered when he will join — see how much impact and impression he left with me?   So I have been an arch angel when ODD and OTT were not fashionable terms yet haha!

Even though she was able to see David live in Manila, she has just one regret:

“Despite being here for 6D/5N — probably the longest that he has ever stayed in one venue — I, along with all Pinoy angels, have not been privileged to see him upclose in a true-blue M&G.  This remains a dream.

Welcome, JR – and thank you for the work you’ve already done to keep TDC vibrant and up-to-date on David’s performances. We look forward to your voice here on TDC.

~ Freo, Liz, Marlie, Rascal, Ronald (and now, JR!)

THE DAVID CHRONICLES IS…

• A place where there are no hard rules on what may or may not be discussed. The musical, spiritual, personal, social, and political aspects of David are all open for comments.
• A refuge for those who have otherwise felt overly restricted elsewhere. Individuals are encouraged to express their love for David in their own manner, while being tolerant of the expression of others who may do so quite differently.
• A place to champion David, but also to critically analyze his work and his business organization, to enjoy the occasional joke at his expense or the OTT remark about his physical appeal.

And so this declaration ends. Now on to the work and joy of being a fan of David Archuleta.

Christmas Tour 2009 - the whole crew!

Happy Holidays TDCers!

From all of the admins to all the readers, lurkers and commenters of TDC, we wish you a wonderful holiday!  Please know that we value each and every one of you for all the different voices and viewpoints that you bring.

Love's Pure Light (gengen)

The fan communities have had their ups and downs, and more than a bit of drama this year, but dang it, the charm and the mesmerizing Voice of our favorite guy is still strong as we close out the year 2009. In this season of love and light, perhaps we all can simply be grateful that we have been lucky enough to have been touched by this remarkable young man, and that we have a place to share that devotion.  We are all connected by this young man with the voice of an angel, a gentle countenance, and a bountiful and generous heart.

Thank you David for all that you do.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to David and his family, and to all the fans who love him.

~ davidfanLIZ, Freofan, marlie7, Rascal, ronaldsf

This time, however, I purposely attended the concert as a much more low-key fan. I passed on the VIP opportunity to briefly meet David again and instead went with several fellow fans to quietly enjoy an evening of music.

Downtown Waukegan, where the concert took place, is part of a collection of northern Chicago lakeshore communities that built up along the suburban rail line in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Similar to other venues along the Christmas tour, the concert was held in a 1920s’ era movie palace that had been renovated in recent years. The cab driver told me on the way to the venue that the Genesee Theater’s renovation was part of a revitalization of the downtown area over the past few years.

I spent much of the evening reflecting and observing as I glanced around the floor and balconies. From the vantage point of my decent floor-level seat, I had the great opportunity to observe the sheer diversity of fans before the concert started. David’s strikingly diverse fanbase is both perplexing and delightful to me. I observed elderly and middle-aged couples, tweens and teenagers, women with their younger daughters, gay couples, and solo male attendees.

I wish that David’s label and PR people could figure out how to market him well. However, perhaps their difficulty in finding a focused campaign stems from the fanbase’s rather unusual diversity. I am struck by how even though the different demographic sectors of David’s fanbase don’t always see eye to eye on political, social, and religious issues (particularly related to David), there is a lot we can learn from each other.

Could part of David’s mission (perhaps even unbeknownst to him) be to bring this diversity of people together? If we are literally in the same room with a similar focus, we have a basis to start communicating with each other. If David’s music can initially bring us together, that is the first step toward putting a human face on issues that too often divide people.

Other fans across the fan sites have already described the Waukegan concert, so I will not elaborate in great detail. However, it was delightful to hear David sing live again. His studio albums simply do not capture the energy and improvisation of his live performances. I hope that eventually he finds a producer who knows how to extract the vibe of his live performances within a studio context.

Several songs were stand-outs for me. His energetic rendition of “Feliz Navidad” was delightful. “Prayer for the Children” was incredibly soulful on a darkened stage with Kendra accompanying him on the electronic baby grand. The professional lighting and stage set added a dramatic background for a concert that connected with a diverse and energetic crowd.

–Freofan

Sometime yesterday, Friday, September 4th, one of the sites hosted on the same server as TDC got hacked. This was part of what appears to be a series of attacks on WordPress sites that have occurred over the past several days (sites which have not been upgraded are apparently much more vulnerable; TDC was upgraded two weeks ago, the site that was hacked had not been upgraded).

In an effort to restore that site, our host organization offered to do a server restore back to August 31st. What they failed to explain to us is that the restore would affect all the sites hosted on that server, not just the site that had been hacked. So, what we’ve wound up with is a situation where the restore has resulted in many more problems that the original hack. Par for the course in IT, as we are told.

We will be able to manually restore all the posts and media that has now been lost from the past few days, but, unfortunately, it is not likely that we will be able to restore the comments.

The good news is that all of the new registrations, up until about 5:00 p.m. last evening, had been exported by the apparently prescient Marlie7. So if any of you have registered in order to be on the list for upcoming announcements about special offers and events, rest assured that you will be included. Also, rest assured that no information from the database of TDC has been compromised in any way.

Our apologies for the inconvenience of lost commentary — no one is more upset about that than we are. And we have also spoken directly with supervisors at the hosting organization to make sure they amend their customer service procedures so that it is clear to account holders what a full server restore actually entails.

Please expect re-posts of the articles which have been lost due to this incident, and please continue to comment and participate with confidence. We are on the case!

– the staff of The David Chronicles

Front two pages of scrapbook (with letter from TDC)

Last night in Grand Rapids, I (Freofan) had the privilege of giving David a memory book on behalf of The David Chronicles. The book itself is small and about five pages in length. It includes a collection of photos from Ashlee’s recent visit for the past few weeks. The photos were taken and collected by fans (I attributed the photos in the book if I had the info). I am sharing photos of the book’s pages with you. It was fun to make and to deliver the book in person.

I had some help in making the book from my cat.

I found this rubber-stamped verse (below) at the craft store and thought it was perfect for David’s friendship with Ashlee. I know the verse is a little hokey, perhaps, but I loved the sentiment of it:

Early in the book was a screen-capped image of David’s early interview after the Idol Finale, when he spotted Ashlee in the audience.

Interview after finale: "Ashlee!"

The rest of the small book includes photos from various concert stops and their duets together. It was fun to design a color scheme for each page that was in keeping with the book’s dark maroon cover. The photos include images from their duets and interactions on stage. I believe that the photos communicated the fans’ warm welcome of Ashlee, who clearly  has strong, caring friendship with David.

It was great to meet Ashlee and we wish her all the best in the future.

The last page of the scrapbook with verse repeated