Review of 12/18 Show in LA

Posted by Jeryl

Last night was wonderful. I did not get pulled on stage (which I really didn't expect anyway), but I was not that close to the stage, and only 3 women did get pulled on ~ one by Hershey, one by Roly, and one got a 'boost' from a security guard. Chris pulled up a little boy, about 8 or 9, who was sooooo cute. He had no idea what to do, but one of the 'dancers' came over and started dancing with him, which I thought was sweet, as you could tell she really wanted to be dancing with Chris. All the dancers were well behaved, and all left the stage with the band to go back-stage.

Our seats were great, though there were two 'folding seats' rows in front of us in the orchestra pit. The orchestra pit kept us about 10 feet from the stage, and there was a railing at the back of it, so we could not crowd down there (not that I would have). We were the first permanent row, and there was an aisle in front of us. We were sitting in front of Nicole Sandler, the DJ who plays him so much down here (93.1) and introduced them that night, and Sheryl Louis, their manager, so we felt pretty jazzed about our seats. It was a WONDERFUL place to sit and watch the show from, but when he called everyone down we got swarmed! We moved up to the railing as to not have people standing in front of us, so I had no veiw of my purse or camera in my seat, which made me kind of nervous. As the hordes pressed down, I almost got pushed over the railing, and I was relieved to find that the hand on my tush was my husband's (he had stayed in his seat at first and I did not realize that he had squeezed his way up next to me!). The girls next to me were very long in the elbows, but I managed to come away un-bruised. The pit filled up with people coming in from the sides where there was no railing, and the poor security guards had a hard time keeping people from standing on the chairs or the railing. It was a bit nuts, but fun to finally be standing up and dancing. (They played 'I'm not Sleepy' second in the set list, and everyone was still sitting, which was VERY hard for me to do!). It was my first experience standing in a tight crowd and rocking out to CI, and it was very invigorating. It was also wonderful to have my husband right there (if you remember, he 'ditched' me in Vegas), and share it with him. He really likes Chris' sense of humor, and thinks Hershey rocks! Chris and Hershey played right up at the edge of the stage, so were very close to us. The crowd was going nuts, and it was nice for my husband to comment that compared to some of the women around us I am a very sedate fan! (nothing too bad, just a lot of 'I love you's', 'I want you's", etc.)

After a rockin' set standing he went into 'Forever Blue', and people were very noisy, arguing with security and getting sent back to their seats. I was very respectful of the song, and I think Chris appreciated that, as he looked at me quite a few times during that song (I think, could never quite be positive). The stage was not 'rushed' again after that, though people did come down and fill the aisles next to us and try to get up there. I kinda wanted to stand for the rest of the show, (the rockin' tunes at least), but did not want to block Nicole and Sheryl's view (now that I think of it though, Sheryl must have seen them so many times she probably doesn't even care!). He did make two runs into the audience, one where he went off stage and appeared in the balcony, and another where he ran up and down the aisles downstairs. The crowd really seems to like that. He also thanked all the people in the 'cheap seats' at the start of the show, said that it always amazed him that they were the ones to show up early, but there were always empty seats in the front, probably someone from his record company getting there late. I was curious to know if all the people in the pit were contest winners and media types, some certiainly looked like it was their first show.

Chris made eye contact with several women over the course of the evening, sometimes the flirty, 'oh baby' kind, and sometimes the 'hey there' kind. There were two very pretty ladies sitting to our left a few rows back, and he kept eyeing them, and a few really good looking ones (according to my husband) dressed in revealing attire in the pit that he made eyes at. One woman (I think the tall girl in the very tight long velvet dress who got the 'boost' on stage) got a look that any woman would have killed for; one of those where he looked at her and made this almost 'wincing' expression and said 'oh, yea'. It was cute, but typical 'stage Chris'. He also made a comment to the little boy, who was right up front in the pit, during one of the more 'adult' jokes, said 'hopefully this is all going over your head'. It was funny! (but reminded me that the two 14 year olds I am taking tonight are going to get an education!).

Ok, ok, Did I get any eye contact? I did, though not the 'flirty' kind, which was fine with me. During the first 'standing' song I know that he noticed the dress, as he was scanning the crowd and suddenly did this kind of 'what was that?' look. My husband cracked up and said 'I think he noticed you'. He continued to look back at me over the night, but it looked more like he was trying to figure out where the light was coming from or how I made the dress. If any of you there saw him do this 'confused puppy' stare at someone in the front slightly on the 'Hershey' side, that's when he was looking at me! I had a blast with it as the stage lights reflected off me and onto the backs of the people in the pit, and several of them noticed it, and were pointing at me (Ok, the pointing was weird, but I liked the rest). I could make the light dance by moving back and forth, and it was cool putting on my own little light show. Then, Chris came out in the mirrored suit, (all the first-timers of course gasped),and at one point he started playing a little light game with me! He was moving his body around to shine lights right at me, and smiling at the effect as they bounced off me and back at him! It was the COOLEST moment, made all the effort and time worth it! I think it was better than any 'flirty' look or getting on stage, as it was just a FUN moment, no 'staged' thing, just him really having fun with a fan. I did not go nuts at the time, just had a deep sense of satisfaction at having acheived a goal, and of stretching myself to do something that initially made me feel uncomfortable. I was able to silence the voices in my head that said that I looked 'foolish', 'stalkerish', or 'fat' , and just had fun with it. It was TOO COOL. I've got this stupid grin on my face just typing about it now!

I have some observations that I think come from it being my second show. The first show I was just so overwhelmed, so many emotions and feelings. This show I was much more relaxed (the people we had dinner with even commented on how calm I was). I really enjoyed myself, but had more of a feeling of deep-down satisfaction than excitement. I liken it to the difference between that 'first' time you kiss someone new, and the second, not-quite-so-tingly, but even more satisfying and comfortable time (not trying to be sexual here, just thought it was a good analogy). I really knew what to expect this time, which did take some excitement away, but also made it feel as if I was watching old friends play. I only had one moment of 'oh, my god, he is just tooooo handsome', but decided, on a congnitive level, that he is indeed the best looking man on the face of the earth, (in my opinion). I knew all the songs, (yes, Chris did confound me by mixing the 'Please' lyrics up again, but I have come to expect it now), knew the jokes, but really still enjoyed it all. I felt strange being so calm, but it also felt good. I wonder what my 20th show will feel like?

Being not so 'Chris struck' I was also able to notice the band more. I love watching Roly play, he plays that bass with his whole body! Most bass players I've seen just stand still and play, but he really gets into it and dances around. Hershey totally rocks, in a nice undersated, non-showy way. There was this GREAT moment when he was doing a solo, where Kenney brought him a towel to dry the guitar strings off as they were wet from sweat. They were all crowded around him while he rocked (except Brett), and Kenney was playing the strings with his drumsticks, sliding them up and down as Hershey picked. Chris and Roly also had their hands on the strings, it was too cool! And I could really see this time how hard Kenney works back there on the drums. He is literally flying sometimes! And with such a look of concentration on his face (in Vegas the back of the stage was so dark that it was hard to see Kenney). I probably missed some of Chris' antics while checking out the other band members, but I really am a fan of all of them. Oh, yes, and Brett played the organ with his elbows at one point, and during the introductions at the end, he was 'on' the organ playing with his knees and feet! Chris was cracking up and saying 'and literallly ON the keyboards, Brett Tuggle!'. I like Brett, he seems to fit in nicely, not needing to be one of the 'four', but getting into it none the less.

My only regret from the night was the photo situation. Somehow I got both cameras in (some were sent to put their's back in their cars), but as I had a security guard no more than three feet from me for most of the night, it was almost impossible to take any pics. I did manage to use the disposable one a few times, but the zoom one was just too big to hide without anyone to hide behind. I should have had it when we were all scrunched up, as security was busy with other things at that moment, but I could not get to it. There were so many times during the show that would have made GREAT photo ops, like when they were all together playing Hershey's guitar, etc, and with the zoom I could have got close-ups on Kenney, who is always so far away. I will try again tonight, but am on an aisle again if we stay in our seats, so it could be difficult. The light show was great, but will make picture taking difficult.

After the show was over we decided to stay and watch them take down the stage. I competely forgot to try to get a set list until a woman behind me came back with one, but I will remember tonight. Some ladys also got guitar picks that were stuck to Chris' mike from the roadies, so I think I will tell the girls to try that tonight. We wanted to stay away from the crowds in the lobby, but finally went out there to mingle. The line for autographs was sooooo long, we just mingled and people-watched for a while, then met up with LJD and Whoopy and Phyl (and friend - who seemed to be 'converted' there by the end, Phyl!), and finally found Michelle too. We spotted Roly, so I got his autograph on my shirt and Chris talked to him about his art show, and if he was going to bring it to LA. He seemed impressed with that idea, but said that over half of them had sold already, so he would have to take some time and paint some more first. I like the way my Chris is not 'threatened' by them, how he can be a fan too. I slyly took some shots of CI while he was signing autographs (Ralph had asked the folks in line not to), but I was far away and using the zoom lens. I hope they turn out, but he was hidden most of the time, and I had to shoot quick when he stood up.

We all waited as long as we could to get in line and then finally went upstairs (the line went all the way around the balcony and back down the stairs to where he was at the tables). We had wanted to be at the end of the line, as we had heard that he takes more time then, but then a bunch of people got in line behind us. It was MUCH more production oriented than Vegas. I think Vegas had 1 table, and you just walked up and put your stuff down and then Ralph slid you down to where Chris was at the end, so you kind of went to him and he knew just who's stuff he was signing. I think you probably got maybe 15 seconds in Vegas, and maybe 5 last night, but I totally understand. If he took any longer, he would be there all night. There must have been 4 or 5 long tables last night, and at least 20 people would line up at them with their merchandise in front of them, and he would just go down the line and sign. He had very little time with each person, and at that it took him over an hour to get through everyone. I wanted to offer him a hand massage! (to massage his writing hand). It is interesting to me that the men want to shake hands with him, and he seems to appreciate that, looks them right in the face, etc.

We finally got up to the table and I put my poster down (which was totally wrinkled as someone had stepped on it when we were crowed at the front - guess I'll buy one at the END of the show next time.) At first he was just moving down the line, not looking up much. Whoopy had put her 3D pic down of them for him to sign, and LJD put a snapshot down. I had my poster down next to them and after he signed theirs he just started singing the poster, not looking up. After he had signed it he looked up and said (LJD, help me out if I quote this wrong - god, I wish I'd had a tape player going!) "Hey, I saw you out there, flashing your lights. I was going 'yea, you and me, baby!'." I was of course, struck DUMB again, but managed to say 'I had fun with that', and he said 'me too'. Then we had to leave, which was good, as I was definately speechless by then! LJD and I decided that it was too bad he had not looked up before he signed my poster as he might have written that down on it, but I was thrilled none-the-less. We all went outside to 'gush', and shortly he came out to take pics. There were probably 50 or more people out there, and it was not organized, just kind of random, with Doug trying to move around and get shots for people. Michelle offered to be my photographer if I would take a pic of her with him, but we found it hard to get in line, as there really wasn't a line. He took maybe 10 ro 15 pics, and we were the last 2. I felt bad for those who did not get a chance. After Michelle he said, 'well, my manager has to drive me home now (meaning Doug), so goodnight!' and disappeared back inside. Some girls got really nice snuggly hugs (it seems to help if you are petite?), and I did manage to get my arm around him this time. I am not sure if you will be able to see the dress much in it as it was pretty close up. If the pic turns out decent I will have him sign it tonight, and if it doesn't I will try for another one tonight.

That is the end, we just drove home after that listening to SOTD and reliving. I will try to watch for different things tonight, and maybe make a set list if I can. Our seats are WAY to the side (Hershey), so will not have as good of a view. I am planning on trying to get into the pit with the girls, as I may be more bold with them there, and think it would be so neat for them. As it was last night, once you were in the pit you got to stay there. I am not sure if I am going to wear the dress tonight; I feel a bit 'showy' doing it two nights in a row, but as he seemed to have fun with it I might. I may also let my daughter's friend wear it as she is much bolder than I and may get herself on stage. Will decide that later. My husband is taking a buddy to sit with, so they should have a good time too (our seats are split up a bit).

Well, I hope this covers everything (probably covers WAY more than you wanted to know, huh?). I loved seeing all the BH'ers there, you all are so cool. If I missed anyone I hope to see you tonight. (Alecia, any tips on getting into the pit?, I noticed you there.) I will still be wearing my blue ribbon, even if I'm not in the rest of the ensemble (but I am leaning more toward wearing it again - it could me my last time - definately not wearing it to Ventura, too many people I know there!). Take care all, and I'll post again tomorrow. Am going to go get the pics developed now - sure hope they turn out!

Your long-winded reviewer,

~Jeryl

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