Experience Of A Lifetime

The Idol Finalists performing Phillip Phillips' "Gone, Gone, Gone" | Photo: Chris White

I had the opportunity to go to the American Idol Live! 2013 concert in Charlotte Thursday. Little did I know it would be the greatest experience of my life!

I purchased the VIP Meet and Greet Experience which included seats in the first five rows, a meet and greet with the Idol finalists, a pre-show soundcheck and some exclusive, VIP merch. 

The experience started about three hours before the concert where all the VIPs met at the arena box office for check-in and to receive instructions on how everything was going to play out. We were met by a tour rep - who was awesome I might add - and were led down to this lounge area where the Idol Finalists were. We met another tour rep, whom I remembered from the Idol Tour I went to a couple years ago, and he kept everything running smoothly during the meet and greet - while adding in a little humor as well. 

We first took a group photo and then we had about 30-45 minutes of "mingle time" with the Idol Finalists. I ended up getting to meet and get autographs from everyone. They were all so nice!

Group photo with the Idol Finalists | Photo: American Idol Live 2013 / Flickr

I loved meeting everyone but I have to say I was mostly excited to meet Paul Jolley and Devin Velez. They were my favorites on the show this year and were super nice. I wish I could have had more time to talk to them. I was so excited and nervous to meet them that I didn't tell them everything I wanted to; like how they were my favorites on the show and telling Devin I was one of the lucky fans he follows on Twitter.

It was a true honor to meet them!

Me with Paul Jolley (left) and Devin Velez (right) | Photo: Chris White

Like I said, everyone was so nice and I'm a fan of all of them. In past years, some of the Idol Finalists left the room after the group photo. Everyone in this year's group stayed to hang out and talk to us. I really loved that!

After the meet and greet, we were led into the seating bowl of the arena for the soundcheck. This was our breathtaking view walking in...

Photo: Chris White

The soundcheck lasted for about 20-30 minutes. I'd never been to a pre-show soundcheck before so this was an entirely new experience for me. It was awesome to get a little preview of what was to come during the concert.

The Idol ladies during soundcheck | Photo: Chris White

After that we were taken back up to where we started - right in front of the merch stand of course - where we could stock up on Idol Tour gear before anyone else. We were also allowed to stay inside the building until the doors opened about 45 minutes later. I ended up finding a great place to sit and got some dinner all before the doors opened. I thought that was an added benefit of the whole experience.

The concert itself was amazing! There was a mix of group numbers and individual performances with the winner of this year's show, Candice Glover, closing it out before a final group performance of Phillip Phillips' "Gone, Gone, Gone."

And speaking of Candice. I'm not positive on this but I believe her mom was sitting just a few seats down from me! There were these two women in purple "Candice Glover" shirts and one looked like her mom. Just an interesting tidbit!

I had a blast at this concert! I didn't want any of it to end. This whole experience was well worth my time and money for sure. I'll never forget this for the rest of my life!

Thanks to the Idol Finalists - Aubrey, Kree, Curtis, Devin, Paul, Candice, Angie, Burnell, Amber, Lazaro and Janelle - for all the memories and for being so awesome at the meet and greet! I'm looking forward to watching you guys accomplish great things in the future! 

Also, thanks to Time Warner Cable Arena, American Idol and everyone who works on the tour. It really does take a lot and I respect each of you for your tireless work to put on something like this concert.