:woohoo: I'll be at the Richmond Coliseum tonight to see "my" man! If I get any decent pics, I'll be sure to post them here first!

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DO ME A HUGE FAVOR! IF YOU MEET HIM TELL HIM THAT THE GIRL WHO GAVE HIM HIS STEELER SHIRTS IN PITTSBURGH SAYS HI!

Can't wait to hear about it!!

We will all be waiting for your report. :bliss:

Well, I didn't get to meet him nor did I get any closer to him than the 10th row, but I did enjoy him. Unfortunately, my pics were crap, so I won't be posting any. A new digital camera is now written into my budget. I went with a friend and her son who were not hot on sticking around for who knows how long afterward for a chance to meet any of them. You can't always get what you want.

Anyway, here's my assessment:

Mandisa was aight but I didn't like her as much as I did on the show.

Ace was gorgeous and so puppy-dog happy to be there. You could tell he was having a marvelous time and was sincerely appreciative. He sounds much better live than he did on the show, much more relaxed and at ease, and to me, does much better on songs that aren't his normal genre. He can put a really good rock edge on it and is very good at harmonizing.

Lisa is lovely with a lovely voice, but has no stage presence or personality. I hope she matures as a performer as she ages. Paris was cute, but a little too precocious with her dancing and innuendo, just like on the show. She's neither Janet Jackson nor Beyonce and should stop trying to be. She should just be herself, but I don't think she knows who that is yet.

Bucky is a good old boy I wouldn't mind knowing in real life, but very awkward and uncomfortable on stage. He had his moments, though. There's something about him I find endearing and I think he could be a good recording artist.

The surprise of the night for me was Kellie Pickler. I couldn't stand her on the show, but I found myself liking her tonight. She was endearing and confident and did some impressive versions of I'm the Only One and Walking After Midnight. Obviously, she has studied up on the meanings and emotions behind the songs. Hate to admit it but I really liked her. She did mess up her duet with Bucky on You're the One That I Want because she came in too late for the music and it took them a verse and a half to get back on track. Otherwise, she was surprisingly good.

Chris has very good stage presence but his voice is just a little too warbly most of the time for me. Kind of tired of the rock god act. He plays a good guitar, though. I liked him much better when he softened his stance a little like when he did his duet with Elliott and sang with all four of the guys. He definitely has charisma too.

Elliott was on top of his game and sounded great! Moody's Mood for Love, Never Too Much, and I don't even remember what else. I credit the other Idols for making this his night and being very gracious about his "homecoming."

The four guys doing "Patience" was a definite highlight. The harmonies were excellent and they put just the right energy in it at appropriate times.

Katherine even sang two songs. I heard she sang in DC too. She came out in a long slinky white dress cut low in the front. She insisted on holding the upstage side up to her panty line, ostensibly to keep from tripping on it? LOL Sang Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Over the Rainbow. She has a beautiful voice, but has no stage presence and received very little audience reaction. Maybe it was partly because she still wasn't up to par, healthwise. I don't know.

Then came Taylor, after which were the two encores with everyone. Those were fun and high energy and the audience loved them. Ace actually scared me when he did his leap off the ramp and onto the stage, but he's so very obviously athletic and capable. I found myself doing a lot of staring at the well-sculpted arms and the veins in them which were visible even ten rows back. He has a smile that lit up the entire Coliseum too.

I only wish I could have gotten closer to him, but I was so very glad to be even that close. He's beautiful! *sigh*

Anyway, it was fun and my friend and I had a good time. Too bad she had to get her kid home.

FINALLY!! I've been waiting all day for this!

I'm so glad you had a good time, but sorry you didn't get to meet him. I expect I won't either. Oh, well. LOL

Guess this is as close to an Ace hug as we are going to get -- :ace6:

Glad to read your report of the concert. Not sure if I am going, so love to read everybody else's recaps.

Hasn't anyone else from here gone? Speak up for us who can't go! :ace8: