Fresno & Santa Rosa 1/13-14

[rosequeen]

I don't know how to change the title but I forwarded it to Kali and hope she will because TRUST ME you all WANNA hear ^ Overstrungs story!

[kali]

Dang it!!! You got my curiousity up and I wanna know NOW!

[rosequeen]

Earth calling Overstrung.... sorry ya'll I think she's still up on cloud nine, hopefully she lands soon.

[overstrung]

OK, it took me forever to write... I'm gonna copy it & paste it, it's a very long story...

Part 1

OK so here’s the story from beginning to end…

I met Cal out on the street and we sat in her car until just before 5:00 looking in the rearview mirror for the car that she saw them in, in Fresno the night before. We didn’t know if he was there already or not but I didn’t see any car that she described when I scoped out the parking lot. We didn’t see it pull in from behind. I had instructions to check in between 5 & 5:15. Near 5 we went upstairs to the office and checked in. Then the others started coming in. Stacy the dj came out & greeted us & told us we were waiting for Jason to arrive. She was really great, and was happy to meet us, and told us 2 people had cancelled (they won on Thursday before I was tipped off)… I can’t believe it! Only 8 of us!

She said they were getting the conference room ready for us and it would be a few minutes… then Jason, Dave & big Atl guy walked in…. Hiiiii!!! It was all a blur…

Cal was standing & I was sitting, and Jason & Dave recognized her right off from Fresno as they walked by & said hi to her… I sat quietly saying “hiiii” wanting to jump up and say “Don’t you remember me?” (Oh right, I didn’t go to Fresno because I knew I just had to be here for some reason).

They escorted the entourage to another area. Then Stacy came back & got us and we walked in a straight line with cubicles on the right to the conference room… I was at the back

The conference room was probably about 15 ft by 10 feet long. It was lowly lit almost dark with lit candles on the table & around the room. I was really impressed how they romantic & cozy it felt. Cal and I were last to come in, everyone just grabbed a seat the farthest away from the singing stool as possible, and the seat I took was right next to the singing stool that had the purply sparkly lights against a black drape behind it. 4 peeps on each side in big black leather swivel executive chairs. (It would have been crowded if there had been 10). We had lots of elbow room. Stacy sat at the far end of the table in front of the Mixx 104.9 poster. We each had a Mixx grab bag, (red reusable grocery bag). Everyone started looking inside, I kinda did but I was too nervous I was gonna miss something. Hell, I still don’t know what’s in there… let me look. Newest Train cd (Stacy offered us to trade if we already had it, I didn’t-- I decided to keep what was in my lucky chair right next to the spot where Jason was going to sing. Then there are some gift certificates from the sponsors, salon, wine bar, boutique gift card, pizza, Mixx decal, snow patrol keychain flashlight & a flyer of the event, with room for Jason to sign. I was half listening to Stacy, something about 15 minutes and we would go into Danny’s studio (program manager).

Stacy already knew I was Jason’s self-professed #1 fan in the area, so she asked around how they knew about Jason. There was one couple, 2 women, and a mom & teen. The 2 women asked us “So what has he done since Idol?” We were kinda shocked, but we forget what land we live in here online, haha. We explained to them about his single, his EP etc., the mall/radio tours, upcoming tour. Atl should hire us! I know the couple and the mom & teen wanted to be there for sure but the women, we weren’t so sure about. I told the couple I was #3 when I heard their son win for them on Tuesday, and she had an awesome camera. I have to email them this weekend for some pix. Stacy said she couldn’t wait to ask Jason about his dreads, we were a bit worried what kind of interview it was going to be…

[overstrung]

Part 2 - Interview

It was time for us to go to the studio!

Because I was closest to the door, I was first in line… They told us just to go in and find a place to stand. The studio was this tiny room about 12 x 12 with a little alcove on the left on the window side, the booth on the right, and just past that some standing room (standing room was L-shaped & Jason was in the center). I see the chair & mike that Jason will be at and I walk straight past it and around to claim my spot so I could look at him head on, about 4 feet away. Cal chose to lean up to the window right next to him, profile view. The pic that Dave took basically is just right of the doorway. That’s the corner of the booth stickin out, which has a counter going around it. So I am off to the right in this (this is actually after the interview)

[overstrung]

Part 3

So here I am in this tiny well-lit room with my flash turned off because I didn’t want to bug Jason… and this is where I thought of everyone in my mind wishing you could see what I was seeing, he just came in & plopped right down in the chair & got good & comfy, throwin his dreads back, forward … trying to get a shot of him while he’s holdin still, he kinda looked around… in a very very good mood… like this is the only place that he wanted to be…


Cal's hand on the right

if Jason would only sit still... I wouldn't have to use the flash...

[overstrung]

Part 4



Stacy says that we have to wait for Kings of Leon “Use Somebody’ to play through so we have about 3 minutes to chat… before the interview. This is when I’m realizing that is going to be ON AIR and nobody knew

Jason says something like “Well, I think I’ll put my feet right up here” putting his feet up on the counter (and I am just ear to ear thinking it’s like I’m in his living room) realizing none of these pics are gonna do it without a flash… dang!

[overstrung]

Part 5



Here’s the profile you might have already seen by Calgal’s tweet

[overstrung]

Part 6

Cheezy & Wini will like this part

So remember Stacy said 3 minutes to chat? Jason’s tuning his guitar, and I spy his capo and think OMG, he has the same I use, my capo, not the Shubb in Ontario! (Capo talk capo talk capo talk think of something to say!)

“So Jason, I see you have a G7 capo, how’s that working out for you, or are you still lookin for the perfect one? “

And Jason looks at me & says something like “Aw no, it’s not really, they just always mess up my tuning”

All knowing me says “Ya know, Shubb capos are made right here in Sonoma County”
And he says, “huh? Shubb County?”
So I repeated it a little slower and he got it & says, “Oh yeah, I got that one with me too”

and then Stacy asked if they were really made here & I said, “yeah Shubb capos are made in Valley Ford!”

Then he looks at me, throws his hands up in the air, squints his eyes, grinning “How do you know all that?”

And I think I was laughing at this point & said “I’m overstrung!” (and he didn’t get it and I don’t care, I was having a real convo with him about guitar gear )

(And let me tell you, G7 capos were the new technology a few years ago & were going for $50 at first & they have gone down in price to below $40. Some people love them, some people don’t, Jason puts his on backwards compared to me, should I have told him?) Most capos are around $20. I have 2 Shubbs & a G7


One more for good measure, adjusting my capo

[overstrung]

Part 7

So then Stacy gave us a warning that she was about to start (I forgot to say that before Jason came in she told us to cheer, clap & all that)

And then bang! She was off & running with it…I think she mentioned the winners of the meet & greet were here & we all cheered, and Jason just fell right into it… and as she asked him questions, he was so calm and collected, no pausing, and he kept looking over at me as he was answering and I was just mesmerized by the twinkle in his eye, and he just kept glancing around the room, and always came back to me, & I heard some of it, I heard all of it and I heard none of it.

And if anyone else was taking pics I sure wasn’t. I just put my camera down and just watched & listened, the chemistry was really great between the two of them. I noticed that Danny had a video camera, Dave might have been recording. The sound of his voice and watching him talk & listening. Too much.

(so Stacy said later the interview/performance would be put on the website, but she might have to edit it because it was 15 minutes long)

THEN, it was time for the performance… his new single. Let’s Just Fall In Love Again
(Oh yes, Let’s!)

Jamie with the big camera moved over next to me and was clicking away…(I've got to get her number & I did)

Here’s Wild Jason caught in the act


I just had to catch the whistle


Like I tweeted: his every note, every strum was delectable, perfect. His voice was so amazing. It was the real living room experience, that room was made for sound. This man has IT. (but you already know that)

[overstrung]

Part 8

So we cheered, clapped, hooted, whooped, maybe just me & Cal. Stacy must have asked him a few more questions … then she asked if anyone had a request… and Jamie’s husband said “Hallelujah”

It was so INCREDIBLE… there was this point when he was singing, and I looked at him and his eyes were closed…

There was no way I was going to take a picture, I think I already said, subdued, powerful, poignant, clear, no rasps, no breath sounds, just music. I sure hope the other peeps realized what they got. Somewhere in there I remember taking that huge sigh…

Credit: Calgal


I know you aren’t lookin at the capo (credit Calgal)


And then it was over…
Claps, cheers, whoops and then Stacy asked a bit more & Jason talked about the tour schedule on the website, and his twitter address... and then Cal caught this magic


Renaissance Man

[overstrung]

Part 9

So Jason left the studio… then we all went back down the hallway to the candlelit conference room and sat down. I have no idea what we were talking about, maybe asking Stacy about the tape, anything to remember the moments! A little later Jason came in with strap on the guitar and stood right next to me at the center end of the table, and radio peeps were rushing around trying to find a cup so Jason could have some water (all they had were sodas for the pizza party). And I asked him “When you are you going to bring out the new guitar?”

“Oh soon I just got a pickup installed in it to bring on the tour. (it’s going to have a teardrop pickguard, not the squiggly one here)

He asked if we had any requests. Hell I’m not shy now, “That’s What I’m Here For”

Which of course he was happy to play, we needed something a little fast after Hallelujah, but he had to put that capo on the 4th fret, & he was kinda waiting for his water, and he was talking bout the capo & he put it on…
and sang… and I’m just mesmerized looking at him watching him play, mouthin the words... taking it all in… my song request again! another big inhale (how can this be happening to me??)

While he was playing they put this blue plastic cup on the table next to me…

He took some sips of water. Then he asked about another request and truly no one else knew what to ask. This is where it all gets blurry…I can’t remember the order. I think Cal asked about Changing Colors, and he said something about he had to get the chords and relearn them because he was going to do it on the tour (but Cal corrected me & thinks he is not). But I thought he might have said that about when I asked for If I Were You and he said he’s gonna play that on tour, but he needed the uke.

He decided to play the title of his EP Love Uncompromised… and he went for it in a really big way… he was SO into it, with these nice powerful strums in the first verse, his red pick flew out of his hand on to the floor, he didn’t miss a beat and he looked over at me/Cal and gave us this look/smile like (I really messed that up didn’t I?) and just kept playing the song and he put his heart & soul into it like you wouldn’t believe! Midway thru the song I realized I was swiveling my chair to the beat, side to side like wide, (I felt like an idiot, but man I couldn’t stop, I just toned it down a bit). And this is with candles & low light and awesomeness.
The power in this song solo, man & guitar, new respect, loved it loved it loved it.

So this is where Cal & I really lost it, somewhere in the night we thought he played 5 songs, but afterward we.could.not come up with the 5th, haha. So I think he only played 4 songs, & she was thinking of Fresno when he played 5 songs.
So then they turned on the lights because it was picture/autograph time

I don’t remember when I took this pic, before or after he played, but everyone was flashing & I said sorry Jason… (my best one)



Cal says those are the PANTZ!!!!!!!! he picked up in Fresno, they are kinda shiny, not sure you can tell. She was not crazy about them…but she just got to see him in them the night before too… a ride in the car all day won’t make them look any better either. I didn’t care what he was wearing. I didn’t even notice what shirt he was wearing underneath the denim til I saw the pic of us. I was just totally captured by him, enthralled casually talking to him, no rush, unreal.

[overstrung]

Part 10...

So lights were up, time for autographs & pics... first they were going to both, and then realized he should do sigs first then pics in front of the Mixx sign, (Yay, double-time with Jason!)

I thought he was gonna have to sign this... the flyer



but then the Atl guy put all the "Let's Just Fall in Love Again" standard photos in front of us...

"Jason, can you please sign this for my friend? And I spelled it out carefully, and he paused as I spelled it out again. Then he just spent this incredible amount of time going over the big "Hi!" like you wouldn't believe. "Oh she is gonna love this...

[overstrung]

Part 11

Ok, I was first for the autograph, & I couldn’t be greedy because I’m sure everyone thought I was bogarting Jason, my main mission was accomplished. I kept trying to think of what else I could ask…

Jason went to Cal next I think, I was standing talking to Dave, and he told me they were driving to Sacramento 2 hours away, hotel and flying back to LA on Fri morning. Like I said before, the man is approachable, mellow, and downright just so perfect for Jason. He totally believes in Jason and everything Jason sang that night really confirmed that he has tapped into something special.

Part 12
So when Jason finished the graphs, the radio peeps pelted him with things to sign, t-shirt, flyers, there was a pile, “sign this for my friend, sign this for this person...” The man was a signing machine…



Tried to get a photo but radiogirl & denim in the way… didn’t want to be too obvious


Here's a nice one from Cal


She caught him whistling too... (why was I lookin away :? )

[overstrung]

Part 13

While Jason was getting ready to take pics, I said across the table because he was at the other end “Jason can I ask a question?’ “Sure!”

“Have any of your songs been picked for tv, commercials, movies? Just say yes, no, I can’t tell ya, I don’t know..”

he thought about it and said “mmm not yet” And I crossed both my fingers and threw em out!

pic-time


Here he is life-size


Cal got this…



I sure hope I said thank you a bunch…

[overstrung]

Part 14 Will it Ever End?

Here’s the last two shots I got in between pic-taking

Radiogirl wasn’t gonna pass up her chance




Somewhere in there I was scopin out the carpet for that red pick… & I couldn’t find it anywhere...I wanted to put my foot on it & drag it under my chair (dang!)

Since Jason had mentioned that while Cal & I were in the street earlier waiting, he was at Coco’s across the street, I realized he probably wasn’t going to be eating pizza with us…
I didn’t hear it (probably in my is.this.really.happening.to.me agape state), but Cal mentioned to me he had chocolate cream pie but he only ate half of it…

Things were kinda wrappin for Jason and so they announced he would be leaving and as he walked by I remembered to hand him a sticker, about 4” tall, yellow gold shape of California with a blue heart in the center (I picked it up at the airport on my way back from Ontario).

“Jason, this is for your guitar case, California loves you”
“oh cool! Thanks”
“And we will see you next month in San Francisco on February 16 at the Bottom of the Hill”

Jason: “oh is that when I’m gonna be here?”
Dave, Atl guy turned around & asked basically the same thing, we were all laughing that they didn’t even know that. Radio peeps were like "really?" And I repeated it..

Here’s my parting quip “Dave, you have got to make sure Jason gets a chance to see the redwood trees when he is here again”

Jason says “yeah, the redwood trees (dreamily) I want to see them!”

And that was the last we saw of him as he walked out of the conference room …

I figure between the studio and conference room we had at least 45 minutes with him if not more… it truly was a most.incredible.event. It couldn't have been any better than what we got.

Ultimate Perfection

[overstrung]

Epilogue

Then we went into the hallway & grabbed our food, they had a really nice layout of pizza, salad, pasta and we sat down & TRIED to eat (ahhhh, impossible all day!)

We told everyone about the SF date again, and the $10 price of the tix. Jamie & her husband were like “wow!” and I remembered to ask for their email… will do that later.

Everybody started leaving and Cal & I were the last to go, as we were lookin for the pick on the floor, Cal asked and radiogirl said “oh I picked it up & gave it to him” I was not even miffed, not one bit. We were like “shoot!”

Then as we were out the door, they said, “Wait, do you want his cup?”
OMG! “yes, yes, yes!” and they passed it to Cal, she grabbed it & without a second thought handed it to me…

We were giggling all the way out the door, with the cup… and it’s just a plastic blue keg party cup, but what-the-hey it’s a keeper!

We ended up at Coco’s to decompress & I started writing little notes down, as I looked at the menu I asked the waiter “what would be good for a snack?”

He said “Me!”



We LOLed and told him we had just been at an incredible event. I asked “Do you know who Jason Castro is?”

“No”

“The guy on American Idol with the dreads?”

“Oh HIM! I waited on him today!elebenty-one”

“No way!” and he pointed to the back "over there" and he was just a sweetheart… (I may have to go back)

Here’s the tweet pic that I didn’t see of Jason at Coco's with his chocolate cream pie while we were waiting in the street…


We finally ordered food, must have been there for 90 min, just starin at each other, on the phone, just so blown away by it all. Tryin to come up with that 5th song...

I wanted ice cream. Cal said we could have the same pie Jason had? and I’m “no, ice cream”. She got chocolate.

It was the best strawberry ice cream I have ever tasted
THE END

P.S. Rosequeen was the one who got me into the AI M&G all those months ago, & if she hadn't had her work event she would have been the one with me. We love ya girl
Then I would have made Calgal drive up anyway & when they said 2 people cancelled I would have run out on the street & grabbed her & one more of ya.

[ttfn]

FAB review. Loved every word!

[rosequeen]

and you know I so would of been there had I not given my word I'd be somewhere else. Now I'm just praying my daughters baby boy doesn't come early so I can make the two I've got tickets to.

awesome review! I'm so glad you won and got to enjoy that experience!

[jblue]

Thanks for the recap, Overstrung. Lots of fun reading it!