The Road to Rockford
My friends and I had thrown caution to the wind, had overcome our lack of good credit histories, and were now speeding down the I-94 expressway from Detroit to Rockford, Illinois in our red economy rental car.
Destination? David.
I did not care what obstacles lay in our path—of which there were not a few. I was determined to take this trip after studying ten weeks straight and taking the California bar exam. My mind had lived in the clouds, grasping for highfalutin concepts, parsing situations, solving problems that resembled math equations more than reality. I had been brought to law because of my work for civil rights, but it was hard to keep sight of that goal while trying to differentiate between contingent remainders and vested remainders subject to open. Even to this day, I am still having dreams that I still need to study for it.
After weeks of tension and living in an intellectual haze, I yearned for this opportunity to see and hear David, to get reoriented and rejuvenated, to enjoy something and have a little time for myself before moving on to the next challenge.
Our motley crew consisted of myself, Maricruz (who goes by Mari), and her boyfriend Curtis. They were twenty-two and twenty-one years old respectively, and two long-time friends of mine in the political group I work with, BAMN. Last summer, I succeeded at infecting Mari with full-fledged ODD, and she in turn made Curtis a fan by showing him the two-DVD “enabler disc set” I had burned for her. Curtis was someone who had done some singing himself. While he admired David’s talent, he never resorted to squeeing like Mari and I did. His appreciation was more cerebral, as was he. Still, in addition to appreciating David’s singing skill, Curtis told us one day that he also loved how David “is just who he is.”
Close Fan Encounter of the Worst Kind
From the outside, the Coronado Theater was somewhat underwhelming. Round stage bulbs ringed the marquee—it had a classic feel, but also made me worry whether this would be a fitting venue for David. Also, when we parked at precisely 7:30pm and rushed inside, we saw no one lined up outside or even waiting in the lobby.
Well, everyone was impeccably punctual and already inside the concert hall, which was packed. And David was right: the inside of the Coronado Theater was breathtakingly gorgeous. It reminded me of San Francisco’s historic Castro Theater in how it resembled a classical movie house, but this was several times more elaborate, with elaborate artwork from floor to its high ceiling. I was also delighted to see that the concert space was significantly smaller than the other venues where I had seen David. It fitted perhaps about 1,500, in contrast to the large A.I. Tour venues and the mega-concert halls in Sacramento and Salt Lake City where I had previously seen him.
On Thursday, Bookaholic commented here on TDC: “Despite a lot of surface differences, it seems true that there is a commonality that is typically found in David’s fans…good, down-to-earth people whose hearts have been indelibly touched by a really rare young man.”
Mari, Curtis and I found our seats and discovered the two lone exceptions.
The evil couple was seated next to Mari. The three of us were unable to get three tickets next to each other, and so Mari and I sat together near the left-hand wall, and Curtis was separated from us by several seats toward our right. We asked the several people between us if they would shift one seat over, so that our friend could come around to join us. Several of them heartily agreed, and even feigned stubbornness out of jest, but the middle-aged couple next to Mari hesitated. The man wrapped a shielding arm around his wife and had a look on his face that said, “I am not listening. And why is this girl asking me to move from my seat?” He said that, if his wife moved over, the man sitting in front of them would block her view. I too noticed this man, who was actually currently blocking the wife’s view, and moving over would have solved their problem! I tried to tell them this, but they had none of it: “No, these are our seats.”
It seemed like David had yet to touch these two hearts of granite. Bah! My friends and I did not let this dramatic setback spoil the pleasure of our evening. Curtis stayed where he was, and Mari and I, though separated from our comrade, took our seats to enjoy the show.
Then the lights dimmed and I was surrounded by screams. I shuddered in fright until I realized that I was at a concert for David Archuleta. We were in darkness, and then came the sound of a heartbeat. Have I not said before that this part is really cool?
Reaching Out
The opening bars of “Touch My Hand” began, the screams began anew, and David ran out onto the stage.
My first thought every time I see him live is how he is shorter than everyone else on the stage. It is as if nature purposefully gave him a stature that serves as a constant reminder that, while David is a star and a phenomenon, he is in no way above or different from any one of us. Then, after David sings his first notes, my second thought is always: “What a voice!” At the end of the night, Curtis wondered to us: “How does all that breath come out of that little body?”
I saw that David had still not read my poem, or at least that it had no effect: he continued to wear tight denim jeans and “communicate” with them. He also wore a simple black button-down dress shirt—simple, but enough to do the job.
David was singing “Touch My Hand,” and I was once again Archusmacked by the progression his voice had made since I last saw him in March. It was deep, booming, and rich, so that by the end of the night you kind of felt exhausted—he sang in a powerful, full voice throughout almost his entire 75-minute set. This is not the sweet-toned David singing “1000 Miles” at home on the piano, but a young man whose voice is increasing in power and enriching the beauty that was already there. David had yet more flexibility and command over his instrument, adding nuance, softening to a sweet coo here, belting like a gospel singer there. In “Somebody Out There,” his transition to falsetto and back was smooth and poifect. He directed his voice with masterful control, as a painter with his brush.
During “Touch My Hand,” a row of outstretched arms greeted David. However, one girl, perhaps 11 or 12, stood back from the stage. David touched the hands of the other people near her. He must have noticed her fear immediately, because he made an extra effort and leaned out and stretched out his arm for a couple of seconds before she stepped forward. And at the very end of the night, David didn’t just wave goodbye as he had done before. He returned onstage to run past the first row with his hand out one last time—making contact one more time before parting ways. I am convinced that if he could have given each one of us a big massive hug, he would have.
Many big music stars seem to perform to an anonymous “crowd,” looking above their heads toward the back of the room, or in the general direction of people but not at anyone in particular.
But with David, even when over a thousand people are screaming for him, he seems to see individual people amidst the sea of faces. He is always looking directly at people, making eye contact. Whether he is pointing directly at someone knowing full well that he is endangering some poor girl’s health, or giving a cute little wave and moving on, David is always interacting, even while giving his all in performance.
It does not seem like he chooses to relate to each of us this way. Perhaps this is just how he is. Or perhaps he is just not used to giving anything less.
– Ronaldsf
Great post, Ronaldsf! Been dying to hear what you thought of the show!
At Laaaaaaaast! (would love David to sing that)
Ronald, thank you for such a grrrrreat recap! (And this is just part one — can’t wait for the rest.)
“David had yet more flexibility and command over his instrument, adding nuance, softening to a sweet coo here, belting like a gospel singer there.”
Great stuff! <3
WOW, Ronaldsf, that last line kills me, “It does not seem like he chooses to relate to each of us this way. Perhaps this is just how he is. Or perhaps he is just not used to giving anything less.” Because David is so authentic, so much “the real deal” he cannot help but make a connection to us, his fans. Actually I prefer the idea (yikes, forgot who mentioned it a thread of two ago) of us being his “muse”. Seems to define us better than “fanatics”. So glad you were able to experience this after the stress of writing your bar exams. Congtats!!
Eagerly anticipating part 2….
Ronaldsf – such a great read! A pilgrimage indeed, and so well deserved after your pain and suffering these past few months. I was right there with you with the evil seat huggers and the scary screams and the communicative jeans. A great write-up.
Can’t wait for part 2!
*Congrats*
Did David just tweet “stinkin’ awesome!” ????
His language is getting rather loose these days lol!
Hi LIz *waves*
He did!!!!
Oh my heck!!!
Hey refnaf!!!!! 🙂
Refnaf #3, yes, David probably would agree about us being his muses. I simply can’t imagine his passion for music separate and apart from his burning desire to connect with people.
DavidfanLIZ: “pain and suffering”? LOL! I have been trying to come up with legal theories to use against the Bar exam and the Bar review people…
(And how did you all post at the exact same time? Weird!)
I wrote a crapload, and actually a couple of other anecdotes from that note that I sprinkle here in the comments. :p After the concert I thought of a few things to write, and it always gets so bloated and big! Sorry this was in two parts! LOL
“from that *night that I *will sprinkle here in the comments…”
Ugh. Why are my sentences so incomplete and my brain fried?
David, why are you always so stinkin awesome?
Ronald,
You took me with you, man. Thank you for such a vivid recap.
“I was once again Archusmacked by the progression his voice had made since I last saw him in March. It was deep, booming, and rich, so that by the end of the night you kind of felt exhausted—he sang in a powerful, full voice throughout almost his entire 75-minute set.”
“At the end of the night, Curtis wondered to us: “How does all that breath come out of that little body?””
“He is always looking directly at people, making eye contact. Whether he is pointing directly at someone knowing full well that he is endangering some poor girl’s health…”
He is indeed becoming more powerful, not just in his vocals but in his connection with his audience. Powerful. And that starts with P and that rhymes with T and that stands for TROUBLE. Bringing this over from the other thread…
TOfan -- “that boy is Trouble”
beebee -- “LOL TOfan… trouble and NUTHIN’ BUT!”
I think this calls for a little movie trailer.
ronaldsf, So happy to see your recap! Thoroughly enjoying it and can’t wait for part two!
This is the first pic I found on twitter of David in Minnesota tonight..
http://twitpic.com/d80lv
Angelica #12, it might have been useful for me to add that Curtis is easily six foot six and dwarfs nearly everybody I know. I love to see the awe and affection for David coming from all quarters.
When I click on that vid it says that it’s a private video… eh? By the way, my YouTube ID is ronaldsanfran…
Angelica..it says “private” 😥
SF -- reposting from the last thread for you --
I just had to post part of this fan’s Rockford VIP/recap on FOD for SF. The person talks about how after leaving the room David came back to ask their opinion about a shirt to wear.
“then all the sudden someone waled rigth throught the door! it really scared me! i wa startled! i looked up to see david!!!!!!! he had walked right back through the door and like was like RIGHT in frotn of me!i jumped back! “oh whoa”i said! lol. yeah i get scared pretty easily. he walked in more. and held up a balck shirt and asked us if we thought it was ok to ware tonight. and we were like yes! yes! and he said that a lot of people have told him to start wareing more black.”
What a great story!
joymus, I read her whole recap. Adorable and hilarious. Thanks for pointing it out.
Ronaldsf: From the first few lines (and the photo) I wanted to yell, “ROAD TRIP!” And what a trip it was!
“David had yet more flexibility and command over his instrument, adding nuance, softening to a sweet coo here, belting like a gospel singer there. In “Somebody Out There,” his transition to falsetto and back was smooth and poifect. He directed his voice with masterful control, as a painter with his brush.”
It’s hard to imagine what he is going to do with this VOICE in the next few years. I am continually amazed at the control he is showing and the way his voice becomes richer by the day.
Thank you for posting and I look forward to part two.
Angelica . August 8, 2009 at 9:39 pm .
grasshopper needs to change private setting to public on YouTube page, then save changes.
Many wait.
Abrra
Joymus, beebee, I can’t find that VIP recap! dang it! Where is it at FOD? I’d like to read the whole thing. Boy, I’m glad they didn’t tell him they preferred his plaid shirts! 😀
He wore another solid color (purple) shirt tonight! Guess someone told him to give the plaid a rest? We shall see tomorrow night. 😆
Good night to all, and for David…
Dear Lord,
Please take care of David. Watch over him, protect him from all harm. Cloak him with your love and give him the strength to endure all that is thrown in his path. Give David the courage and guidance to say no to those who ask for more than he can reasonably give. Surround David with loving and supportive people who love him unconditionally as we, his devoted Archangels do. Separate David from those who have agendas other than for his well being. Give him rest when he’s weary. Give him the stamina to sustain his hectic pace. Give him assurance when he feels doubt. Give him joy when he feels sad. Cloak him always in your protective arms during this time on his journey. Keep David and and his voice healthy & strong as he fulfills his Destiny which was written in his Book of Life before he was born. And please Lord, give us, David’s forever fans, the wisdom to know when and how to do right by David. Open our eyes and help us in the way we support David so that it’s always in his best interests. May his positive and good Karma continue to attract those with positive and good Karma! May he continue to encounter goodwill and happiness! May he continue to be healthy and strong during this time in the summer tour with Demi. Keep David and his companions safe as they journey across this land of ours, AS WELL AS ALL THE FANS WHO ARE TRAVELING NEAR & FAR TO SEE DAVID IN CONCERT. Though we may be unworthy, we humbly pray. Amen
David, hope you have a good night’s sleep & sweet dreams on the road. Keep with you all our love, prayers and warm thoughts! We will always love you madly! If you are ever in need of help, tweet us an SOS and your Archangels will be there in a flash!
Contigo siempre con amor!
Thanks Ronald… these recaps mean “a ton” to so many of us. I take the post, ad in the photo (thanks SF) and wait for the vids to complete the mental journey. I have found that at the end of each tour I’m so tired as if I were really on the road. But in a couple of days, with no fresh news I start yearning for the next tour. total ODD. what has become of my old life? seems I just don’t care. I’m settled in for the next 2 weeks and thrilled to know a bunch of us will be at Provid. and Manchester (altho I had a near meltdown today when I realized that Ticketmaster’s mailed ticket for the latter has not arrived. Panniiiccckkkeedd.)
ronaldsf recap, yayyy!!! (not that I was anxiously awaiting it, or anything 😉 )
“two-DVD enabler discs” ROTFLOL, gotta get me some of those!
And you really captured the way David wants to “see” and connect with each member of the audience. I’ve been to so many concerts where, as soon as the music stops, an invisible curtain goes down between you and the performer. But not with David.
I especially loved this: “It does not seem like he chooses to relate to each of us this way. Perhaps this is just how he is. Or perhaps he is just not used to giving anything less.”
(Angelica, you tease! go public, go public!)
Grasshopper has obeyed honorable chroniclers (say that 3 times fast,) request, and removed video from Youtubes privates.
“…Or perhaps he is just not used to giving anything less?
RONALD -- that got me choked up dude! Your next installment couldn’t come sooner 🙂 Are you going to any more shows, btw?
In another vein: David’s MN set is done and there are 4 vids up but the audio is garbled and the vid is far out, you almost couldn’t see David so I won’t post them.
Angelica . August 8, 2009 at 11:27 pm .
Honorable grasshopper has pleased the master. Youtube privates? Not so much ! 😉
Abrra
This is cracking me up. People are spazzing over a a simple gesture tee-hee
Jackryan4da #24, I don’t know of any other tour stops past this month, but I’d love to go to another in the fall! With the 2nd album and the Christmas album to work on, however, I would think that he doesn’t have any more dates until the Jingle Thingies. We’ll see…
Angelica #12, that video is hawt! I especially like some of the editing that was done in that. I would love to get better at this stuff me-self.
Jackryan #26, I happen to address that issue in Part Two hehe…
BTW, don’t forget to check the ROCKFORD TOUR PAGE again. Added more files to the vid vault and a set is tarynpreston‘s HD files.
https://www.thedavidchronicles.com/2009/05/rockford-il-august-06-2009
ENJOY!
JR that is hilarious that someone would actually make a mgr over him opening his shirt up a little more to get at his ear bud.
Ronald, have you not seen the full video? You must have. That is just the beginning and ending I spliced together.
Angleica IMAGINE someone saving that silly vid to their computer? 😉
Abrra
OK, MINNEAPOLIS vids thanks to ExiledHero
TMH
WFY
SOT -- A NEW INTRO!
APOLOGIZE -- his pre-song banter charmed the pants out of MN!
Don’t ask me how I found these as they are not properly titled -- haha!
Anw, see the rest in the MINNEAPOLIS TOUR PAGE 🙂
https://www.thedavidchronicles.com/2009/05/minneapolis-mn-august-08-2009
Enjoy
a-hahahahaha
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand am home alone here in TDC. Hmmm… you guys weren’t able to handle DESPERATE, eh? Tee-hee
desertrat/dakgal You’re going to Sioux tomorrow, right?
In case you are on the fence about attending VIP, you may want to re-consider? Word has it that the VIP tomorrow will only have SIX, not sixty; just SIX peeps.
How’s that for quality time?
JR #32, There was a lot of MOJO in ‘Desperate’ and I’ll admit I succombed to it’s magaic. Then as I was begining to feel revived, all those group (((HUGS))) helped to speed my recovery, thanks, I fooled around and checked out Miss Marlie’s SOT post #204 in the ‘Our Fan Relationship-2’ (no warning or anything, how could you?)and swooned again. DANGIT! He was really feeling that one, I thought he was going up get outta that chair a couple of times. All I could do was was beg David to have mercy. And he’s only 18 for crying out loud!
A great big (((HUG)) to you ronaldsf for throwing caution to the wind because now I can enjoy Rockford through you eyes. Part un of your adventure was a fantastic read, and I am waiting with baited breath for part deux.
33 jackryan, thanks for the info. for the past week i tried to get a vip/ugrade thru iloveallaccess but they were no longer selling them.
ronaldsf, thanks for sharing your pilgrimage. i’m looking forward to part II.
Hi all! *waves* The Rockford show has me coming out of lurkdom. I used to post on occasion at rickey’s during David’s run on AI and I recognize a lot of the usernames here. 🙂 Lurked on Noting David as well.
Anyway, I probably won’t post very often but I just have to say that the Rockford show blew me away. It was also a last minute decision for me to go. When I saw it posted here the week before that there were good seats available, I knew I had to go. So, I took my kids and my daughter’s friend and we drove 3 hours to get there. And were AMAZED!
Ronaldsf, thank you for the recap! I always enjoy reading the featured articles here and following the comments.
jackryan #26: I absolutely noticed that moment and proceeded to question if it was what it looked like or if I was imagining things. LOL!
I have VIP for the show in Moline. Going by myself so kind of nervous as I haven’t met David before. Does anyone here know of anybody who will be going to that VIP? I’m also slightly worried about the reception he will receive in Moline since he hasn’t been in this area before. I’m sure he will win the audience over no matter what though.
Oh my gosh this post is ridiculously long for my first one. Sorry guys!
jayla910: I’ll put you on the list of people going to shows on the Tour page. You’ll need to come back and do a recap for us!
marlie7 -- I’ll do my best, although I fear David may render me speechless. It’s a common problem with me. 😉
Great recap Ronald. I was thinking about his voice increasing in power. Remember just last summer he was frequently on vocal rest after just a few songs? Of course he was recording as well, but he’s also doing that now. And throwing out some 15-16 songs during his solo concerts. And killing it.
p.s. I’m glad you made it through the “danger zone” That is what I call I-94. I loathe that road.
Can’t wait to meet all who are going to GR!
jayla910: It’s a common problem with everyone! LOL Enjoy the concert!
Angelica/12, Looooove the vid! You do have a way with those vids, dahlink. lol (TROUBLE, I tell ya.)
Silverfox/20, that Rockford VIP write up is at FOD. Go there and keep scrolling down until you see a black title that says “Rockford Concert Story” (It kinda gets lost amongst all the other stuff, but it’s there.)
JackRyan/26, Angelica/29, Abrra/30,
RE:That M-G-R: Oh, that is just…psh… out and out O.T.T., a merry-go-round like that. I mean for cryin’ out loud, WHO would be so obsessive as to do a thang like THAT. And, honestly, WHO would EVAH watch that thing again and again and again and download and watch again and again and again… (wait where was I) such a ridiculously trivial and speculative chunk of… oh who am i kidding. Think we can get an N.E.A. grant to properly explore this gripping wardrobe question in depth? Angelica, ever written a grant proposal before? Anybody? Kizzi? And while we’re at it, maybe we can nab a grant to explore the Mysteries of Communicative Denim. I actually think that idea has legs. *nyuk*
JackRyan/OMyBONKERS! Minneaopolis SOT INTRO! LUV IT! *Thud!* In fact, the whole thing is beautiful. I kept hearing about how his voice was shot tonite, but… man!
Wait… that cookie vid… lol, I just realized mister cookie is wearing A FREAKING PLAID SHIRT. Sheesh. It’s everywhere it’s everywhere. Well, ‘least we know who looks most BEAUTIFUL in plaid. (Seriously, seeing that gives me a whole new appreciation for our summer’o’plaid. We’ve had it so GOOD, folks.) (Sorry cookie.)
Goboywonder, yeah, for me that Desperate performance really reveals something new with every viewing. (Kinda trippy, really.) And he ain’t gonna be showin’ no mercy, so just fegeddabot THAT. BTW, *raises hand* I’m all for an acoustic David concert at the Lincoln Theater. (Would that not be divine?)
Hi jayla! 🙂
beebee: The Mysteries of Communicative Denim -- I think you’ve got something there! LOL!
JR, #26, ROTFL, guess David was right, modest is hottest! (SF, you didn’t “accidentally on purpose” loosen the thread on that button ahead of time, by chance?? 😉 )
And thanks for the SOT vid! Beebee is right, that new intro and the whole song shows no signs of vocal fatigue.
In fact, he’s getting so into that one now, he could almost start with the chair a little further back then stand up at 3:07ish (“I wanna be there when you’re in need”) and take a few steps forward for the rest.
Nah, that would surely wipe out the first three rows!
Angelica #29, no I have not seen that video before. Did you do it? I’d love to see the full version!
I am impressed by David’s adding a new intro to SOT. It makes it that much sweeter to have some singing before the guitar chords come in.
Silverfox #20, don’t underestimate the power of “Ctrl + F” to find a string of text on a large web page. 🙂
Betsy #39, I didn’t think about that! Yeah, instead of vocal resting, he’s been singing at VIPs! Also, after I-94 we got into I-90, and don’t get me started on the evils of toll booths.
Part two should up today at around 7PM Eastern.
Quoting my own hypocritical self up there #29
“JR that is hilarious that someone would actually make a mgr over him opening his shirt up a little more to get at his ear bud.”
OK. I confess. At first it seemed ludicrous but I have replayed it more times than I’d care to reveal. hmmm…is it deliberate or not? He is a mystery wrapped in a enigma. Part of his fascination.
TOfan, regarding SOT..
“In fact, he’s getting so into that one now, he could almost start with the chair a little further back then stand up at 3:07ish (”I wanna be there when you’re in need”) and take a few steps forward for the rest.”
Are you freaking kidding me? That would wipe out the first 30 rows and a vast number of youtube viewers! You mean get up and stride forward like in DLTSGDOM only with the phrase “I wanna be there when you’re in neeeeEEEED!”
Maybe he could combine the 2 moves..fishes for earplugs, then gets up and strides forward…
lalalalalalalalala….*covers ears and shuts inner eye* he is not doing this to me. My mind is closed.
Have mercy on myself.
Ronald#44
Here ya go!
Oh no!! Take care David.
So woke up without a voice today lol. But been on vocal rest and it’s helping! Just have to take it a little easy today haha
2 minutes ago from txt
Jayla910. I’m not doing the VIP in Moline, but my daughter and I are driving 5 1/2 hours to see that concert! I will also be attending the solo concert with both my daughters in Grand Rapids. 5 more days…anticipation…GAH!!!
ronaldsf:
“Being a fan of David’s feels like a journey of constant discovery…”
That’s the heart of this experience for me.
Great review, Part I & II. Thanks!
Part 2 is up —-->
I know everyone is excited about David singing a carol in French, me not the least, as you might have surmised. le duh! But over a year ago, on his myspace, I begged him to do this song if he ever made a Christmas album. It is not Mariah Carey’s song by the same title, but an older song by Vince Vance and the Valiants. He could WAIL with this and lordy, lordy, just kill it! Whenever this song is played during the holidays, I have to get totally into it with my whole body and soul. Not a good thing, cause I’m usually driving at the time. LOL. If David did it…it would be a dream come true. And a hit.
I was at the Rockford concert, swooning to every sound that came out of David’s mouth. He was magnificent!