“Hey, Demi Lovato fan!” it started innocently enough. “We wanted to let you know your fan club welcome packages have been ordered! They will include a Demi poster, exclusive fan club laminate and mirror compact… be sure to check your mailbox over the next few weeks.”

Gulp. Mailbox? Next few weeks? I pictured my husband intercepting my “welcome package” … the mirror compact crashing to the floor dooming me to seven years bad luck – or worse, seven more years in her fan club.

That’s when the light bulb went off.

When the sheer absurdity of my life as a David Archuleta fan hit me in the head harder than a beach ball kicked by you-know-who.

I’d completely forgotten about the stupid membership. I’d bought it back in the spring, desperate to gain access to concert presale tickets — tickets to a show hundreds of miles away. Tickets for myself and three friends — friends I’d met on the Internet.

But the absurdity didn’t end there. Oh no. When the concert was cancelled (sorry, “postponed”), for a moment I forgot that the average concert goer attends shows in their own hometown, making it no big deal if the date is rescheduled. For me, it was a big deal. Too big. So for that moment, I wailed and flailed like these kids.

I mean, doesn’t everyone take vacation days and make elaborate travel plans to faraway cities to hear an 18-year-old sing a handful of songs? “How could this happen?!?” I screamed to no one in particular. “What is wrong with you people?!?”

But once the shock and crushing disappointment abated (who am I kidding, I’m still disappointed), I had to laugh at myself – and at the year or so of absurdities I’d been racking up in this, my first experience with extreme fandom.

Please allow me to share a few highlights:

Absurd scenario #1: Spotting a vest in a men’s store window and walking in to check it out because it would look great on a kid who doesn’t know me from Adam Lambert. The sales guy asks if he can help me find anything. My sanity, maybe?

Absurd scenario #2: Blowing off a chance to attend a rare Toronto performance by renowned soprano Cecilia Bartoli. Why? To rush to Buffalo, of course, for the Kissmas Bash, also featuring Flo-Rida.

Absurd Scenario #3: At the office, grabbing my wallet out of my purse and inadvertently yanking out my VIP lanyard thingie, with David’s face emblazoned on one side…. Who needs that raise anyway?

Absurd Scenario #4: Not having a clue what many of my friends or family were up to yesterday, but knowing David saw yellow hills set against a blue sky.

Absurd Scenario #5: Trying to convey to a pal why I’d planned to go to more than one show. “So each one has different songs?” she asks, struggling to make sense of the absurdity. How do I explain that the songs are almost irrelevant – it’s that Voice, it’s just David. And yet, that alone sounds absurd.

But then my friends and I finally get to the one show left of our tattered road trip. And David starts to sing. And everything makes sense again.

It’s a VIP. The song is I’ll Be. He holds the “I” so strong and true, if I could climb inside that blessed note and live there, I would.

I well with love that spills from my eyes. Nothing absurd about that. Nothing at all.

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I’ll be captivated
I’ll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I’ll be your crying shoulder
I’ll be love’s suicide
and I’ll be better when I’m older
I’ll be the greatest fan of your life

– TOfan

It’s now become a standard but was originally written as a country song. Yes, you read that right. Bob Montgomery wrote “Misty Blue” in 1966 for country-western crooner Eddy Arnold. It was then recorded in a more big-band style by none other than Ms. Ella Fitzgerald in 1967.

In 1976, it struck gold for R&B singer Dorothy Moore, reaching #2 on the Billboard R&B chart and #3 on the pop chart.

More recently, Mary J. Blige and Monica included the song on their 1998 albums, and even the purple Prince himself released a live performance of the song in 2007.

This Dorothy Moore version remains my personal favourite … that is, until David decides to give it the full ArchuTreatment … I get misty just thinkin’ about it ….

~ TOfan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBzG_37rmCQ

[FYI, the very very end of this is cut off ... but the original actually fades out at that point so you get the idea]

Misty Blue
by Bob Montgomery

Oh, It’s, been such a long long time
Looks like I got you off of my mind
But I can’t, just the thought of you
Turns my whole world misty blue

Oh honey, just the mention of your name
Turns a flicker to a flame
Listen to me good baby
I think of the things we used to do
And my whole world turns misty blue

Ohhhh, baby I should forget you
Heaven knows I’ve tried
Baby, when I said that I’m glad we’re through
Deep in my heart I know I’ve lied, I’ve lied, I’ve lied

Oh, honey, been such a long long time
Looks like I got you off of my mind
But I can’t, just the thought of you
My love, Turns my whole world misty blue

Ohhhhhhh, no I can’t no I can’t
I can’t forget you
My whole world turns misty blue

~TOfan

Photo: knitmi

“Fame, celebrity – it’s not such a big deal in Europe. People seem to understand that you just have a weird job. They’re not running after you, trying to carve chunks out of you. It’s strange in the States. Most fans here are great, but there’s a handful who have seen the movies and feel they know you. They think it’s alright to touch you and ask personal questions.”
— Johnny Depp

In the beginning, there was the voice … no, The Voice. Like the mythological Sirens’ song that lured sailors to their destruction, David Archuleta’s voice bewitched us into submission from the very first note and we were powerless to resist it. (Luckily, there were no cliffs to crash into, only Simon Cowell.)

And in the beginning that Voice was enough for us. We looked forward to hearing it week after week on A.I.; YouTube-ing and iTunes-ing it until digital reproduction left us wanting more. And we got more … the Idol Tour.

As the tour progressed, fan-encounter reports sent our expectations into overdrive. We wanted, no needed, to hear The Voice live, to see David in the flesh, maybe get an autograph, a picture, a hug. Give him a letter or a gift or a compliment and get a reaction, a smile, an “aww, thanks” or, better yet, an ArchuGaze.

When the single and the CD were released, the crowds grew bigger – and, sometimes, more intrusive. In one interview, David recounted going to the movies with his friends and being recognized by fans who wanted him to sign autographs and smile for pictures. He said he didn’t mind doing that when he was “working,” but he’d been with his friends. It seemed to surprise him that even the most devoted fans don’t always recognize the boundary between the public and private life of a celebrity. And where David was concerned, that line was about to get blurrier.

We soon wanted to examine every public and private move of his to determine whether or not each fit with our idea of what was best for him. We wanted him to become a critically acclaimed superstar, yet not be lonely or miss out on graduating — to be on the cover of Rolling Stone and win Grammys, but get to go to his prom and have a normal teenage life.

We wanted him to be protected from those so demanding they ask for kisses on the cheek and piggyback rides, but yet remain available and accessible to us.

As we voted in endless online polls, stalked radio request lines and gifted countless CDs, our expectations grew about his career and his image.

We wanted him to “own” his star power, tour in grown-up venues, take a pass on kiddie TV roles and Teddy Bear songs, lose the “ballad boy” image … no, wait, sing more ballads … get a new label, new management, new marketing strategy. We began to want it all.

“I don’t think I realized that the cost of fame is that it’s open season on every moment of your life.” — Julia Roberts

And then there was Twitter.

David now has more than 144,372 followers on Twitter – me included. As soon as he replied to that first fan, we collectively screamed like the baby birds in the Twitter logo … “He’ll talk to us!”

Some spam him repeatedly for hours IN ALL CAPS begging for a reply. Even on his sick bed he felt it necessary to tweet “been trying to rest and haven’t been on the computer much today since I’m sick. Hope you guys understand! ”

As if a scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds would play out and thousands of frenzied tweeters would peck away at him if he went AWOL for one day. And then “thanks for your get better messages!!! You guys are too nice haha ”

To me, it was code for “For the love of Spongebob, give me some space haha ” Even Brooke had to reply to one of the fans to tell them “don’t be sad, he’s very busy and can’t reply to everyone.”

A clue to the motivation behind this Twitter mania lies in a message from a fan who’d just been replied to by David: “This is officially the happiest day of my life! Hah,” she tweeted. “Can’t get over it! … He definitely now knows that I exist!”

On some level, is that what we’re all seeking? And, if not, then what do we want from David? At first glance, it seems like an odd question. We want to hear him sing every song ever written. To be swept away in the rapture of his voice. To watch every thrilling stage of his burgeoning career. To witness his star rise around the world as people in every land discover his glorious brilliance. And that may be all we have the right to expect.

For as accessible and generous as David has been to date, the pressure of our collective expectations and the demands on his time and attention will inevitably wear him down. He will eventually need to step back, take stock, go off in a new direction or just take a break. And when he does, I hope he knows that we love him enough to let him fly and be free. To let him be.

So, what do you want from David?

“No matter how much fame you have, it’s not something that belongs to you. If I’m famous, that doesn’t belong to me — that belongs to you. If you can’t remember who I am, I’m no longer famous.” — Michael J. Fox

~ TOfan

Looks like the QE II, doesn't it? This size 9 beauty was auctioned off for Team Archie's gifting campaign for $195. (No, I did not have the winning bid. *sniff*)

Um, I have a thing for shoes. This is not news, however, to anyone who’s watched my parade of sole-ful avis go marching by. I’ve even had several lovely TDCers take ankle-level photos during David’s solo tour just for me. How sweet is that?

So who better to take a tiptoe down memory lane to chronicle the fabulous footwear David has sported over the past 16 months. Some believe the eyes are a window to the soul … I happen to think that window lies closer to ground level … at the feet.

David’s performance skills have grown by leaps and bounds this year and so has his choice of chaussures. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Waiting on the World to Change

And so was his stylist, apparently. Look closely at these tired trainers — the A.I. team must have hidden them from David during Hollywood Week because I don’t think we ever saw them again.

Imagine There’s No Price Tag

While everyone was being hypnotized and mesmerized by The Voice, look what got completely overlooked? Those two-toned stylin’ sneaks. I hope some daaaaay, he’ll rewear them … and the world will be as one.

Teen Choice Award for Best Shoes Goes To…

We all know David steps up his performance game when it counts. We see here he steps up his style quotient as well. Who needs a red carpet when you’ve got those little numbers?

These Shoes Were Made for Rockin’

Now, I shouldn’t know this, but David first wore these shoes in Asia (probably where he bought them… Dave, help me out here?). They definitely make a statement here at the American Idol Season 8 Finale.

Listen closely, here’s what they say:
“I’ve come a long way since that first audition, but I’ve still got my feet planted firmly on the ground.”

— TOfan

Here’s a gallery of other memorable shoe moments. See if you can guess where they’re from. The prize is … well, there’s no prize, but give it a go anyway!

Late-breaking shoes.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Later in the piece, the writer flashed back to last season when (in her words), “The judges continued to agitate for teenager David Archuleta, a Mormon who disquietingly sang Imagine at least twice.”

I fired off a letter to the editor that said, in part, “…[the columnist] dismisses David Archuleta, last season’s über-talented runner-up, as a ‘teenager’ and a ‘Mormon’ as if those descriptors have any bearing whatsoever on Archuleta’s stunning vocal skills. Perhaps the writer needs to examine her own prejudices — maybe then, she’ll be able to appreciate a singer who’s truly ‘gifted,’ regardless of their age or religious affiliation.”

After I calmed down, it got me thinking about the bigger picture. Could some of the very things we love about David — his childlike wonder and adorkable innocence, even his famous niceness and humility, be stumbling blocks for winning over a wider audience?

And speaking of stumbling blocks, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room — David’s religion. Even some of ArchuLand’s most liberal-thinkers, those who support “inclusiveness” and “equality,” seem to feel uncomfortable embracing the fact of David’s faith — and these are his fans.

David himself responded to one radio interviewer who commented on his being Mormon, that “people think we have horns.” He wasn’t exaggerating. Even Wikipedia has an entry for “Anti-Mormonism,” which cites incidents of “discrimination, hostility or prejudice [and religious persecution] directed at members of the Latter Day Saint movement (particularly the LDS Church)” dating back to the Utah War of the 1850s.

And beyond religion, David’s very niceness runs contrary to our traditional image of a hotel-trashing Rock Star (heck, even Sinatra decked a few paparazzi in his time):

“He’s the nicest guy I’ve ever met,” says Tom of McFly.
“You are the nicest guy we’ve ever interviewed,” say countless disc jockeys.
“He’s even nicer than I am,” admits Mother Teresa.

Okay, I made that last one up.

I admit that sometimes I wish he would do something mildly reckless, like get a speeding ticket or rip the "Do not remove" tag from a pillow, but that feeling usually passes as soon as I smile myself silly through one of his vlogs.

As one of my English teachers used to say, “I hate the word nice. It’s such a bland, benign word.”

Bland? Benign? How could either word ever be used to describe David Archuleta? He’s fierce, passionate, electric onstage and quirky, charming, fascinating off. But nice? It’s one of those words that damns you with faint praise — like saying a blind date has a “good personality.” Code for forgettable, dismissable.

In the music world, nice just doesn’t sell records. Dangerous, mysterious, even chopping-your-own-hair-off crazy sells records. Nice? Not so much.

Do I want David to stop being so nice? Ohmyheck, no. In fact, I don’t want him to change one nice teenage hair on his nice Mormon head.

He’s an artist with a golden gift, but his path to success will not likely be a smooth one. He has his own Goliath to slay — misconceptions and prejudices to overcome. But behind his niceness lies the heart of a lion — and it beats with strength and courage … and in perfect time.

Yes, David’s youth, faith and innate sunny disposition will likely continue to make him the butt of tabloid jokes and cause hack journalists to ignore his unparalleled talent … for now. Until, that is, he has that inevitable row of Grammys on his shelf and double-platinum records lining his walls.

For I have to believe nice guys can finish first. I believe in David.

— TOfan

To Twitter or not to Twitter, that is the question. The revelation of David’s recent Twitter “follower” brought up an interesting discussion on TDC today, much of which is reprinted here. Happy, freo and TOfan weigh in below. How about you? … Do you Twitter?

Happy: Many Twitter-haters like me hate Twitter in large part because its use for recreation reinforces the loss of boundaries and propriety in contemporary society. It is becoming commonplace to say and act universally the same regardless of who and where you are. People have lost a sense of boundaries, they wear the same thing to school as they wear to bed; to church as they wear to the beach. They actually had to make it part of the dress code in my son’s school- “no pajamas” and “no underwear on the outside.” More and more kids use language with adults in the same manner as they speak to their friends, people need to have signs posted, “Please don’t talk on your cell phone when conducting business.” Didn’t craigslist recently warn, “Don’t use our site for criminal activity” ?

Maybe Twitter should post the following warning, “Since the very nature of our product is to encourage a ‘contemporary-form-of-cyber-stalking’ even among regular folk, if you are a certifiable nutjob please be careful when revealing your stalking tendencies, it will freak people out.”

Twitter can be harmful to nonpublic people as well as public people; noncelebrities are stalked too. Once upon a time, before “twitter” was coined, the word for an unusual curiosity about the personal behaviors of another person was “voyeurism,” and it was considered unhealthy. I realize Twitters are inviting the window into their personal life, but I see “twitter” and “voyeur” as cousins.

In my opinion, when used as a form of fun it also presents problems. Many people seek celebrity and many want to elevate themselves to “celebrity status” in their own minds, in their own real corner of their own real lives. Twitter is a tool that can make you a “celebrity in your own mind.” This twittering encourages the adolescent notion that “the world revolves around me.” Why? Why would my ego think that anyone should or would care about where I am every moment or what I just ate?

Most often this is the way it goes with technology. Tools are developed and rarely are all of the ramifications and uses recognized at the outset. I see that Twitter can be used effectively in a professional manner for individuals and businesses to promote and advertise their events free of traditional advertising costs. Provided you don’t make your living in advertising that can be a good thing. But as a personal tool I do not see it as a technological advance that improves the quality of lives.

TOfan: I feel very sad saying this but, Twitter or no Twitter, stalkers/OTT fans are a fact of life for every celebrity (as are paparazzi). When the meet-and-greet events first started during the A.I. tour, I half-jokingly suggested to someone that, if I were Jeff or Lupe, I’d keep a copy of every photo taken with fans at those sessions for future reference.

Twitter isn’t the problem, it’s the cult of celebrity that’s the problem. I agree, Happy, that boundaries have gone the way of the Dodo, but even before the Internet, unstable personalities were fixating on their “idols.”

At least these “social networking” tools allow the authorities to know what these troubled people look like. It’s terribly sad that David, who enjoys meeting and knowing his fans, won’t have that freedom soon, but safety has to be the first priority.

A couple of days ago, I read an article that predicted Twitter was doomed to fail. Why? Because Oprah was growing tired of it … and you know what that means….

Pre-David’s tweets, I saw no point to Twitter (except for the chronically self-absorbed). But his tweets have been so dang charming, another channel through which he could share his adorkableness … mindless, maybe, but another way to connect with fans.

When someone tweeted him to point out how many “followers” (such a loaded word!) he had, I wondered if that maybe freaked him out … it should, methinks….

Freo: I am mostly in favor of Twitter. It is enjoyable to hear about the artist’s everyday events and it opens the lines of communication. I enjoy sending messages of support. My only concern is that more artists are being pressured to use Twitter with their fans and that it can break down private boundaries too much.

Finally, if you must Twitter may we suggest you Twitter politely?

"Hello, gorgeous."

David, Schmavid, let’s talk about us!

Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind some of the imaginative screen names that pop up on The David Chronicles? I have. And while some names are fairly easy to figure out (silverfox, for example, is both silvery and foxy, as her former avi attests). Others? Not so much.

So here is a sampling of several TDC screen names and the stories of how each one came about. Care to share your own?

Abrra
I play Everquest (an online role playing game) and my magician character’s name is Abrra Kadabrra. She is a powerful Grand Summoner! I gave her a name fitting for one who can do magical things.

Awestruck
Simply for me, I was “awestruck” when I first heard David sing “Shop Around.”

Esperda
“Esperda” came from my middle name, “Esperanza.” So “esper” plus “da” for “david archuleta. “Esperanza” means hope.

Happy
Music makes me happy, especially David’s … that was really all there was to it.

HelloGorgeous
“Hello, gorgeous,” was what I said the first time I saw David sing “Heaven.” His beauty astounded me; I wanted to mimic Barbra Streisand. The greeting stuck with me as I followed David on his American Idol run. Although it’s actually from Funny Girl, The Way We Were came to mind first, because I love that scene when she looks into Robert Redford’s gorgeous face.

Joner
“Joner” is really a combination of my real name (Joni) and the nickname my sister had for me when I was younger (Bone). I thought “Joner” would look better than “Boner,” if you know what I mean, LOL.

Joymus
“Joymus” simply reflects the JOY I receive from hearing and performing any type of excellent MUSic. My occupation is a teacher, but I am also classical vocalist.

Rapture
I used to post as “dazdnconfuzd,” because that was how I felt when the whole David Archuleta Tidal Wave first hit me. (I’m also a Led Zeppelin fan.) Thanks to the eloquent writings of many other posters who were able to express what was happening to them, I felt much more comfortable with my euphoric state. I decided to choose a more fitting name. I really identified with “rapture” as defined by “the carrying of a person to another place or sphere of existence.”

Rascal
Years ago, I spent several years working for my dad in his small office in New Jersey. He had a young woman working for him who was my age, very attractive, and a little competitive. We had a spirited and cheerful rivalry, and at one point she took to occasionally calling me Rascal (my name being Russell). When I first started exploring the world of the Internet and the demand for nicknames arose, that’s the one that popped into my head.

Refnaf
Immediately after David’s performance of “Imagine,” I casually asked my kids, “So how does this YouTube thing work?” From there, I discovered notingDavid and when asked for a screen name, all I could think of was my husband’s initials (REF) and my own (NAF). Little did I know that this would become my “name.” All these months later, and after having to introduce myself as “refnaf” at some fan functions, I’ve grown to like it! A ref by any other name, haha.

River
River came from River Phoenix — I thought it sad he was gone so young and thus he’s remembered.

"Girl with a Pearl Earring," Johannes Vermeer, 1665.

Vermeer
I never posted comments before I got involved in the David Archuleta world in the cyberspace/blogosphere, so I never had to come up with a screen name. It didn’t occur to me that fans conventionally named themselves something that contained a David reference. Art is my love. Much as I love this truly amazing 17th century Dutch artist, I am actually partial to abstract art.

WhatJustHappened
I do not own a television. Was on vacation. Happened to watch an episode of American Idol. My first one ever. Scout’s honor! David sang “Shop Around.” My reaction was exactly what David described after seeing the Tamyra Gray performance that changed his path. It was a private, dare I say intimate, moment for me. I watched the performance online (with judges’ comments) at least 100 times. When the fog lifted, what remained was but a clinically ODD shell of my former self. I still get all shakey just thinkin’ about it.

— TOfan*

* I chose TOfan because I’m a fan from Toronto (aka T.O.) — not, as some have suggested, a fan of tofu.

David, David, David… Yes, he’s amazing, freakishly talented, über-adorkable. But, what I want to figure out is, how has he created this remarkable community of new old friends just by singing a few nice songs?

On Monday, I pondered this riddle over the 14 hours it took me to get home to Toronto from Salt Lake City.

I spent three days there and I still feel hung over, partly from the blinding beauty of the mountains — which are so close they smack you in the face with their majesty every time you turn around — and partly from the magnificence of the concert itself. To describe it, I’d need to resort to Klingon, however, because all English words fail me.

But most of all, I’m still a little too not over all the incredible fans I met and talked at length with. This is a phenomenon we’re part of folks, and it’s truly remarkable.

To start things off, on Friday and Saturday, Refnaf and I were thrilled to be able to meet up with amazing justDaviders Awestruck, SandyBeaches, (and their husbands), Sweetonda (who kindly drove by Murray High!), SilverFox, and their lovely sisters, Knotliser, Peru, Mike, davidfanLIZ, Vermeer, as well as fans from all the other sites.

The concert itself? A dream. A beautiful dream. The moment that will stay with me forever is the vision of David bounding onto the stage, smile as big as all Utah. For TMH he practically bounced out of his shoes with excitement. So did I. And that was just the first five minutes.

One of the surreal ArchuMoments of the trip was realizing that many months ago I watched a YouTube of a silver-haired lady driving around a parking lot blasting Crush. Now, here I was sitting right beside SilverFox, my now e-friend, at a David Archuleta concert … doing the wave.

Each David concert has brought more wonderful strangers-I-feel-I’ve-known-forever friends into my life. And this trip was no exception. In fact, it felt more like a family reunion — one where everyone gets along.

Especially Saturday night — it was … sorry, might have to resort to Klingon again.

That night, Refnaf and I were fortunate to be included in a gathering of 30 or so fans from several sites at ThisIsYourMotherSpeaking’s house. At one point, Karin from SnarkyArchies suggested that, for fun, we go around the room and, one by one, each person share their favourite “David moment.”

These ranged from hilariously funny “meeting David” stories, complete with reenactments, to incredibly moving examples of how David’s music had turned lives around for the better. It was one of the most profound shared experiences I’ve ever been a part of. I’ll never forget it.

After we left, it started to sink in that, for me, this whole tour has gone beyond hearing David sing live, as wonderful as that is. Hearing the impact his music has had on so many people and feeling the powerful connection with so many virtual strangers, I began to appreciate why this is happening.

David’s music may be brilliant and beautiful but like all great art, it also stands for something. He stands for something — hope, truth, honesty, but most of all love, pure love.

That’s what draws us in, connects us together and keep us there, song after song. What a powerful force for good in the world.

I flew home knowing deep in my heart that I need to honour that. And I will.

— TOfan

“Only connect.”
— E.M. Forster, Howards End

“I liked how up close and personal it was. It felt kind of like a campfire thing. We were all like, ‘Gather ’round.’ I dunno. Just kidding.”
— David Archuleta, Arizona vlog

Connecting through song is one of David’s most sublime gifts. It’s as if, with each breath, he draws in our deepest hopes and fears and gives them voice.

We, in turn, feel every ache, burst of joy or pang of love because our true selves are laid bare in each note. But this is no surprise to anyone who’s listened to David sing Imagine, Somebody Out There — even Shop Around.

What is a surprise is how much stronger this connection between David and his audience has become on this tour.

A tour for which David selected small intimate venues so he could be “up close and personal” with each audience. So he could look into our eyes as he sang, touch our hands, touch our hearts.

It’s no coincidence so many of his songs mention hands — holding on, reaching out, not letting go. Making connections and fighting to keep them strong.

It’s this connection to us that is David’s greatest gift on stage — perhaps even greater than his Voice. The ability to make every single person in his audience feel he is singing directly to them. Because he is.

He pulls us right up on stage with him so we’re all sharing the experience together. We start singing along to My Hands, so he holds the mic out to us. We mirror his gestures to Barriers and crack him up. A soft voice quietly asks, “Sing in Spanish,” and he does. Not performing for us but with us. Connecting to our energy, our love, and we respond in kind.

A telling moment in each show is when David asks the audience if he can take a photo to remember his first solo tour. Cook did that too, on the Idol tour. But the difference here is, our David makes sure he’s in the picture with us.

We’re one, but we’re not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One…

— TOfan

Photo credit: Pastel, FOD

Page Contents:

*Reflections – Marlie7, TOfan,

*Videos
* Band Blog Links
* Media Fire MP3 and MP4 Downloads

Concert Reflection – Marlie7

David is like the Grand Canyon…

you can show someone the pictures and the videos, but until you are standing there seeing him with your own eyes, you cannot experience the vast landscape, the depth, the layers of beauty and the awe inspired by the sights and sounds of David Archuleta in his element – on the stage, audience in the palm of his hand, the Voice mesmerizing everyone who hears him. I saw David in July 2008 at an American Idol Tour concert. He was wonderful. But last night, the eight months of growth in his performance skills and his voice control were astounding. I’ve listened to the videos of the Infinity concert, and they do not do him justice. He was flawless, and the richness of his voice brought tears to my eyes more than once. He fills an entire venue with his essence, draws your attention with his magnetism, and keeps you enthralled till the very last note…and long after.

I’ve attended a lot of concerts in my life, being a college student during the 70′s, and an avid music lover all my life. I’ve seen a diversity of performers…including Sarah Brightmann, Elton John and Billy Joel, and I thought they were superb. But no one but David Archuleta has held me spellbound long after the last echo of his Voice has faded from the stage.

Four-Concert Blitz — TOfan

Sayerville, N.J., Lancaster and Allentown, P.A., Williamsville, N.Y. — all mere dots on a map for me until this past week. Four cities, four opportunities to hear David sing his heart out and grow and learn and burnish his brilliance with every show. I feel blessed beyond belief right now.

I could write a novel about Angels alone but I’ll try to share just a few of my own highlights from the four shows:

Sayerville:
The energy of the crowd must’ve ignited David’s pilot light, cause he was on FIRE. On Don’t Let Go, in particular, he expressed more passion and intensity than I’ve seen from any live performer. Ever. It gave me a brand new appreciation for the depth of feeling he’s expressing in that song. He threw his whole body, heart and soul into that performance, gripping the mike stand for dear life, like a partner in a fevered tango.
It told a story of deep yearning and his level of commitment in communicating that slayed me. He married that song and took it to Niagara Falls.

Lancaster:
From the first balcony, the sound was glorious. David’s voice soared up there and we had a great overview of how he’s working the stage. My Hands is clever and fun yet musically sophisticated — everything David! It builds to a crescendo then the band stops playing and the a cappella harmonies and hand-clapping percussion give David a platform from which to leap into some stunning soulful improvisation. Love, love, LOVED it. He seemed genuinely surprised everyone started singing along so he spontaneously held out the microphone to us for the “hold ons” in time to the music, all grooving together. So cool. And indicative of how attuned he is to each audience. Not only performing for us but with us.

Angels took my breath away. For me, the most hauntingly moving rendition to date. Ethereal, soulful, spiritual – it rose and fell and soared and swelled. My heart felt like it could explode from the beauty of it. I felt overcome by emotion and love for all humankind. It was overwhelmingly beautiful. I felt like I was standing under a waterfall of his glorious voice and connected to everything and everyone. Wow, just wow.

Allentown:
Two words, five syllables: Ze-ro Gra-vi-tyyyyy. Can’t. Get. Enough.

Williamsville:
Personal highlights: David calling out, “I’m feelin’ the love tonight!” which brought even more love his way. And the huge cheer that erupted when he asked how many Canadians were there. We were there, all right!

This was my favourite show of all. Great vibe, venue and acoustics. David appeared so much more relaxed with the introductions and his role as headliner. He was able to focus more intently on crafting a story with each song, especially the ballads. Closing his eyes and going to that special private place of his where magic happens.

And at each show, connecting with all the great people I’ve met thanks to David … absolutely mind-blowingly wonderful. Must rest now….

**Videos**

Touch My Hand

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgQWVLV2eXs

Barriers

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry4W__SD6CM

ALTNOY

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2kpnw9JUug

Waiting for Yesterday

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzM6Z6Q2Exg

Medley

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvRrdlBlBwU

Love Song – fun view of Alex

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9buOj7Dfu4

To Be With You(thanks to embracetheordinary )

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oId_OHwMpgM

Zero Gravity

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRMAsK5jZ00

Don’t Let Go

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kyOKg4Rkog

You Can

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GmWJoxwYL0

You Can and Crush

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnL1trbHjA4

Crush

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7-T9jdgsK4

A Thousand Miles (from dawn65 and beautiful!)

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzJx_Jkb2Hc

Angels

[youtube=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTlXo0o3F0U