Hi Everyone,
What a fantastic couple of days of Jason! Let me start by saying, seeing Jason perform is the best birthday present you could ever give yourself...or to give or receive from someone else! I am totally amazed at how many of us (Aquarians) did just that over the last few days. Since this is the NYC thread I will focus on the Joe's Pub experience!
Ilene came back to my home from the Philly concert and we stayed up until after 3 AM talking about it and getting excited for NYC. Carolyn and Debi arrived at my place Wednesday afternoon and off we went to NYC in my Honda Civic (Cookie is her name). Three birthday girls right there - Ilene, 1/24, Carolyn 1/29, and me 1/30. All celebrating our birthdays and Debi, a Libra kept the peace between three "crazy" Aquarians. Thanks to Ilene for her traveling GPS (she helped alot too) a whole lot!
Once we made it into the City, we found parking close by and headed to what we thought was Joe's Pub. We ended up in the larger building that housed the information desk and such. We found out that some folks had won tickets to watch the "sound check" - and they were going in at that time @ 5:00 PM. We figured out the lay of the land and reallized that we would have to stand in line outside the big black gates until 6:00 PM so we went to find some shelter. We grabbed a bite to eat at a local diner, then got back to the gates and waited in line. I foolishly wore only a blazer and scarf and totally froze. It was in this little wait that I met, Meaghan McCurry,
, (used to be a street team leader), Cookie(Regional leader), Marley's Mom, and a few other Jason Fans. Then when they opened the gate we happily tredged up the steps to get in and get warm. I had an extra ticket for a young lady named Sara, whom I never met except on Twitter. They wouldn't let me stay at the front desk and wait for her, so I had to leave the ticket and go in and find a seat. Our seating was cramped and we squished in so we could all fit and at least be able to move our arms, if not our legs. The couch was velet like material, as were my PANTZ!!!!!!!!...does not make for easy slippage in and over. Since I was close to the door, I could look out and there she was...Sara, I recognized her by her smile...Sara Smile, (No seriously, she has a beautiful smile) In my message to her I told her that I was old enough to be her Mother, or Gandmother, and she still wanted to join us all for dinner. Thanks to Justi for getting another reservation. So there we all were, Justi, Fragileheart, LindaRas, Ian, Carolyn, Debi, Ilene, Sarah and me - all nine of us. Right in front of us were some Copians - well Jason fans!
I got to say hello to Jillster from Copia before we sat down and have to say how cool she is. I met her at HOB in Orlando and it was great to see a Florida girl at the show...freezin' her bippy off. haha! She started playing the guitar because of Jason.
So the place was buzzin' and getting filled up, when a guy came out and announced the line-up. Then, Caitlin came out and did her thing! I love her voice and the way she has about sharing her life experience in her chatter and in her music. The thought that Imperfect is the New Perfect is just that "Perfect!" I love her messages. I think everyone can relate. She didn't chat as much as she had in Phillie, and didn't sing as many songs, but the crowd embraced her. She said she didn't have alot of NY friends and wanted some...really cute. I think she got some! Funny how both Jason and Caitlin refer to their fans as friends. Cool.
It was distracting to have drinks and meals being ordered and delivered during the performances. Then seating some late commers...who of course are feeling as though they are obstructing views (and they are), yet, they too are trying to get comfortable. Anyway, at first I was slightly annoyed...then I let it go and went with the flow...it's all good!
Jason! Stephen! Yay! No matter what, lookin' good, really good. We knew it was a busy day for them. Late nite in PA, WPLJ (at last) early in the AM, Fox 5, Seventeen Mag....so out he comes and lookin' all happy, relaxed and definitely in his element. And sings..."That's What I'm Here For" and yes I feel like he is singing to everyone in the room, that that's what he's here for...
great job, voice is strong, making those cute faces. Then I realize that the new Mrs. C is right behind me. She does these little Whoop whoops at the end of each of his songs...it is so fun to see her singing along, shaking her foot to the music. Right about this time Sara's food comes and she feels really uncomfortable eating she says, because she just wants to listen and watch Jason. The rest of us at our end of the table went the drink route so we didn't have to fuss with food. Sara had never seen Jason live. She has seen David Cook 11 times...and he was her favorite from Season 7. Did not go to any Idol concerts so this was her first time since TV Idol Seven she had seen Jason and was so impressed and excited. (And that is something I've grown to love...seeing Jason get some new fans that just fall completely and disgustingly fast!)
Every song in the set was done well. I appreciate the fine guitar and vocals of Stephen...especially on "Crazy", "It Matters to Me" and "Hallelujah"....well heck on all of them! When Jason sang "It Matters to Me" it was as though his whole body, was pouring forth. He stopped playing the guitar for abit and put his hand out and up as though he was a conductor leading his heart and soul...oh so gently and sensitively. I LOVE when this happens. He did this at HOB too. It's pure artistry. During "If I Were You" we were all singing, and I pretended to put an imaginary mic in front of the girls who I think thought I was being really silly...and I was. I was having a hard time sitting still, as I love to move with the music. I did hear someone yell out "Tell Me So" and Carolyn got excited because she loves that one. Maybe he will sing it in one of the future shows. The duet with Caitlin was fantastic...they seem to be getting better and better together.
Is it just me or does Stephen seem to crack up when Jason talks to him on stage. Jason just looks at him and he smiles. And I really like his smile. They have this thing about jokes...and Stephen says that Jason gets about one good one out of 10. The rest of the time Stephen is a very serious performer...and good too!
When It came time for Hallelujah, we knew it was the end of his set. Many yelled out, no, more, more, more. And whenever Jason said, I better stop talking (as he does when he's telling jokes), everyone said, no we want to hear you....please.
So...Hallelujah...atmosphere very quiet...all ears, eyes on the boy. Except food was being delivered right in front of us. I just closed my eyes...I would think, at least on Hallelujah they should wait... (oh well). As long as I can hear...It was beautiful...heart and soul baby.
Matt sounded better to me in NYC then in Phillie. Sara and I stayed for Matt even though I was nervous that she wouldn't get to meet Jason. It turns out Sara is an actess/singer and has empathy for performers...so we stayed until his last song. Plus we really like his music and she thinks he's very cute. When we got out to where Jason would be signing he wasn't there. We were told he was eating steak. So, we talked to Cole, met up with the girls, had photos with Cole, talked to Mandy, had Matt sign our CD's etc. Then all of a sudden, there he was, like a pied piper, milling in the crowd...not behind the table. He is a patient soul...signing, smilin' etc. etc. Sara and I waited for our chance and then...yay, he turned to us. I introduced Sara and said she was a new fan. He asked what he could do for her and she said she wanted a photo. I took her camera and wallah...a great shot of the two of them. She was so excited. We said thank you and that was that. I introduced Sara to Cookie (Sandy) and I she signed her up for street teaming.
Ilene had me take photos of her with Mandy...who is cute as a button. She shared with us that Jason doesn't snore, except when he is sick...then she said it's a cute little snore. (So precious...both of them!)
I talked to so many Jason Fans, some I hadn't seen in so long. Deanna who I met in Freehold, Debbie and her husband I originally met at the Atlantic City Idol concert. Finally met Rereader - who cautioned me to not get close (her cough and cold), then spent time chatting with Justi, LindaRas and Ian...about what you ask? Guess! Jason's music...and how men feel about it... and on and on...interesting conversation! Oh yes, I shook hands with Josh Radin, who was there to see Caitlin his friend. : )
I know I rambled here, but wanted to recall my experience. I love it when I get to meet new and old Jason fans. I think Debi said its so exciting to meet and talk to people who love the same thing you do....and that would be Jason, Mandy, Jason's family, Jason's music, music Jason turns me on to, music in general, and anything and everything that involves being a Jason fan. I still can't believe all that I am learning from this experience...two years now. Thank you all, as in some way you have all contributed.
Until the next Jason concert! Oh, and by the way, Sara posted the picture of herself with Jason on her facebook and is finding out many of her followers love him too! Swweeeeeet!
Great night...we girls left reluctantly...got Cookie (my car) and headed back to NJ. Once again, Ilene and I were up until after 2:00 AM remembering all we could from the evening.
A grand time was had by all....come back soon Jason!