Year In Review: 2012

I can't believe another year is about to close. This year has been filled with ups and downs, great experiences and new ventures.

There were some down times this year. Some misunderstandings with family and friends. But, that's life and you've got to move on.

Despite that, there were so many amazing things that happened. I started my junior year at N.C. State and passed all of my first semester classes. This is especially good considering I had to take accounting. Enough said.

2012 was filled with events that I was able to be apart of.

I crossed off one major thing from my bucket list when I finally got to see Elton John in concert back in March. To this day, that was the best concert I've ever been to in my life!

Then in July, I got the experience of a lifetime by going to the live tapings of "The X-Factor" auditions in Greensboro. It was amazing to see all that and to be in the same room with music royalty: L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell.

There were many good (and bad) auditions but the whole thing was fun. I even got to see a guy audition whom I'd just seen perform online the previous night, Jacob Whitesides. We've actually become good friends on Twitter since then. You should check him out!

In addition to these awesome things, I also got to see the hit musical, "Jersey Boys," three times and went to the "Rock Like A Man" benefit concert held by the cast.

Rock Like A Man

Then in November, I supported another great cause by going to the 94.7 QDR Concert for the Kids.

I was a VIP for that and got to meet Kix Brooks, Lee Brice, Jason Michael Carroll and, of course, Scotty McCreery! I also got to chat with Wheeless and J.J. from the station.

Country for the Kids

Despite a few bad things that happened, this year has been AMAZING! I would like to thank all of you for reading my blog. It's amazing that this blog has had over 17,000 pageviews in its four year history! Rest assured there will be many more exciting posts to come!

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Weekly Salute: Scotty McCreery

I've decided to start a new series on my blog simply entitled "Weekly Salute." Each week, I will salute someone who has shown some sort of courage, bravery, honesty, etc in their everyday lives. So the inaugural "Weekly Salute" goes to...Scotty McCreery.

I know what some of you are thinking: "Here goes Chris again on the Scotty talk." But can you really blame me? His new album "Clear As Day" skyrocketed to the top of the country charts just ten minutes after it was released. He'll be singing the national anthem at game one of the World Series. And, if that's not enough, he's going on tour with the great Brad Paisley next year. He's living the dream and showcasing North Carolina well.

But, you know, that's not even what impresses me the most about him. Day in and day out, Scotty always finds a way to keep his Christian faith in the front of his life. He also keeps his family and friends back in Garner close to him and never forgets those who got him to this point. As you all know, I got a chance to meet him at the American Idol Live Tour this past summer. Although I only talked to him for about thrity seconds, I could immediately tell that he was excited to meet his fans and grateful for the support. I encourage you to go out and buy his album and support this follower of Christ that keeps a level head despite all the attention.

Congrats to Scotty McCreery, my first Weekly Salute!

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American Idol Live

It's almost time for the American Idol Live Tour at the RBC Center. And, if I didn't mention before, I'm going as a VIP and will get to have seats on the floor very close to stage. But the best part of being a VIP is I'll also get to go to a pre-concert meet and greet where I'll get to meet some (if not all) of the finalists on tour, including the man Scotty McCreery!

I told some of the kids at the kids camp I work at about it and a couple of the girls begged me to get an autograph from Scotty. Hopefully I can but the best part is to actually meet all of them and see them face-to-face. I know it'll be a night I'll never forget!

P.S. You can keep up on my experience at the cocnert on my Twitter and, as always, I'll write a post about all my experiences after the concert.

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Not Up To Par

I've got a bone to pick with Durham's local newspaper, the Herald Sun. Apparently they weren't as excited as the rest of us were about Scotty McCreery's big win on "American Idol." I was very disappointed in the coverage from them. In the May 26 edition, there was a small picture on the side of the front page with a small story on the next page. 

In fact, that story on the inside wasn't even from one of their own writers. Instead it was taken from the Associated Press! I mean, how hard is it to go out to the RBC Center to do a story? The Herald had this little article while the News & Observer had a full page spread on the front and four pages chronicling Scotty's run on "Idol" inside. Even though Scotty is not from Durham, he’s representing the Triangle and, more importantly, he’s representing the state of North Carolina. Isn’t that enough to get a big spread on the paper?

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Scotty Has Done It!

Scotty McCreery has won! I can't believe it and I'm excited for him. Like you've seen, I was at the RBC Center in Raleigh and I almost got on the show. The host of the event, season three finalist Matt Rogers, was going to do a live shot for the show...right in front of where I was sitting! "Idol" cut that because they were running over time on the show. In my opinion, they could've either cut out some commercials or Lady Gaga! They said they would go to Matt if Scotty won but, although he did win, they never went to him so I didn't get my face shown in front of 50+ million people. Instead I was almost mauled over by screaming girls who were going crazy and pushing me all over the place.

I got tough and went Hulk on them and pushed right back. I think I even pushed a person off a chair they were standing in but, I wasn't going to just stand there and let them push me around! Before the live show started, there was an "Idol" camera guy who was taking video and I did get on that with no problems. I don't know what it was for but I got on anyway! Even though I didn't get on "Idol" I still had a blast and wouldn't trade anything for being there. Being at the viewing party was probably the next best thing to being at the Finale in L.A.

Congrats Scotty and God bless!

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Finale Prediction

Courtesy: National Ledger

We'll soon know if either Scotty McCreery or Lauren Alaina will become the next "American Idol." But before we get to the results show, I thought I'd give you my take on the Finale performances. Overall, both did really well. I think the pair's opening songs were equally great. The second round for both Scotty and Lauren were the sleepier parts for me.

Finally, the last round was, in my opinion, just as good as the first round of songs. I've liked Lauren a lot throughout this competition but, when it comes down to the Finale, I've got to pull for my home state (and local) boy Scotty McCreery.

On a different note, I thought the whole speculation and craziness before the show about Lauren losing her voice was pretty strange. I believe that something like this wouldn't be made up but, I just can't see how some "medicine" miraculously made her voice that good in such a short amount of time. It's a little fishy to me. I'm now officially off the Lauren Alaina bandwagon not only because of that but because I think she sounds a lot like Carrie Underwood. After all, that is her personal idol and I'll probably not buy her album when it comes out. I want something different in country music, which is why I want Scotty to win! It should definitely be an interesting show tomorrow!

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Down To Two

Courtesy: Michael Becker/FOX

It all comes down to Garner's own Scotty McCreery and Georgia's hometown girl Lauren Alaina for the 2011 "American Idol" crown. This year has already set records but last night's result set three. The first being that the Top 3 got 95 million votes, which was the most for a non-Finale show ever and 15 million more than the Top 3 last year. Also, this will be the youngest Finale and the first ever all-country Finale.

I was at the viewing party last Thursday night at Garner Magnet High School and, like many people, I was excited to hear Scotty's name called. Regardless of what happens, I'm proud of Scotty for all he's done on the show and he will have a great career ahead of him.

P.S. You can also get involved by coming out to the two viewing parties being held. The first is Tuesday night at Scotty's high school, Garner Magnet. The second will be Wednesday night at the RBC Center. Both will be from 7-10 pm and free to enter; but you'll have to pay $10 to park at the RBC Center. "Idol" is hosting the party at the RBC Center and their cameras will be there so you may even get on national TV! If you can't make it out to the parties, I'll be live-tweeting from both so you can get a first hand look at the all the mayhem!

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Great Time In Garner

As you know, I went to Garner yesterday for Scotty McCreery's homecoming. I was overwhelmed by how many people support this guy. I would say the size of Garner (about 30,000) doubled in just one day at that celebration! It was almost a fair-like atmoshphere with food, games, and music. They even had deep fried candy bars and good 'ol classic funnel cakes! While waiting for the man of the hour to perform, fans could also buy all kinds of Scotty gear, from t-shirts to buttons and even masks with his face on them. 

As we got closer to the time of the concert, fans piled into the area around the stage and we could hardly even get out. Finally, at about 2:30 or 3:00 pm, Scotty arrived and went on stage. When he finally saw how huge the crowd was (which spanned almost three-fourths of the field at the park) he was shocked to say the least. He performed about five or six songs and even got a surprise while singing his audition song "Your Man." The artist of that song himself, Josh Turner, walked on stage and Scotty walked right into him while singing. It was perfect!

They sung a couple songs together and Scotty still could not believe he was singing with his favorite artist. It was really special to see! Near the end of the concert, Scotty told everyone thank you and how much he loved everybody. Overcome with emotion, he began to cry and his family came over and comforted him while we clapped and chanted. It was a tender and special moment for everyone.

This was the first time I had been to an "American Idol" hometown visit and I had a blast! I will never forget all the emotion that was in that park yesterday and how Scotty felt about seeing all of us there to support him. This was a highlight of 2011 for sure! Below are some pics from the concert...



View from my seat of fans at Lake Benson Park



The man of the hour, Scotty McCreery, performing at the park

Scotty and Josh Turner singing together

Scotty showing off his guitar skills at the concert

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Welcome Home Scotty!

After months away from his hometown, Garner's Scotty McCreery is coming home! And he's bringing an "American Idol" crew with him. The show will be taping Scotty's every move as he makes the traditional Top 3 hometown visit. The town is hosting a huge party in honor of him complete with food, games, a parade, and a concert.

I've talked my family into going so I will be there for the whole day! We're going to get there about 10 am and stay until everything is over. Stay tuned to Twitter tomorrow as I'll try to TwitPic photos from the big event. You can also check out my blog for a complete wrap up!

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VIP

As you could probably guess, I'm pretty excited about the Idols Live Tour coming to Raleigh. This has truly been a great season of "American Idol" and I can't wait to see these amazing performers in person! Anyway, today, they had a presale for tix to the show. I was prepared to get as close as possible to the stage but I actually got more than that. I found out soon before the tix went on sale that they were going to have a VIP package that included floor seats, an exclusive autographed photo, tour program, a VIP laminate, and-the best part-a meet and greet with the "Idol" contestants! Although it set me back quite a bit of money, I decided to go with it. I'm treating this concert as my "summer trip" instead of going to the beach or something.

I've never been to a meet and greet before so it'll be a new experience for me. I'm bringing my mom and grandma along and, hopefully, we'll get to meet Garner's own Scotty McCreery! It will be so awesome and I will definitely blog about my experiences at the concert!

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Idols Live Tour

I found out tonight that the 2011 "American Idol" Summer Tour will be making a stop at the RBC Center in Raleigh this July! I had a feeling they would do this because of Garner native, Scotty McCreery, but I'm more excited to know that it's officially coming here.

I want to go not only to see Scotty but really all of them. As I said in the previous post, this is the best talent I've seen in the ten years of the show. The tix go on sale May 13 and Ticketmaster will have a presale May 12. Luckily, I won't be tied up with school those days, so I will definitely be getting the best tix I can find. I can't wait for the tour to come back to Raleigh!

P.S. You can click the pic above to find out more about the tour.

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