SOUL PATROL !!

As we headed to the BJCC Arena last night, my 'girlie' friend and I couldn't help notice the eclectic mix of people heading to the American Idol Tour Show. That in itself was a tribute to the phenomenom that American Idol has become as it reaches out to such a wide variety of people.

Settling into our seats, we were entertained by two "Poptart mascots"(the sponsor of the tour)as they tried to get the crowd going. All I could think about was how hot they must be in those felt Poptart costumes....but, they didn't seem to mind as they danced around and posed for pictures. (Poptarts were even given out as we all left the concert!)

Finally, the lights dimmed....and the Show began... much to the delight of the screaming, sold-out crowd. We were seated on the lower level in the center section towards the back of the people sitting on the ground level and had a very good view of the stage. Of course, I came prepared with binoculars, too.

Mandisa opened things up by belting out several songs...incredible voice. She was followed by Ace (girls screaming wildly), Bucky, Kellie (adorable! ...she came out dressed in skin tight black jeans, leather jacket, and boots for her duet with Bucky from Grease), Lisa (her vocals were unbelievably good as she played the keyboard and belted out two Elton John songs), Paris (came out in a red Bama hat and really shook her booty!...), Katharine (sang her heart out on "Over the Rainbow"....apologized for her lack of perkiness due to her newly broken foot)...and then the final three guys: Elliott, the crooner (awesome!), Chris, the rocker (extraordinary!) and, the home-town boy, TAYLOR!

What can I say? I am now a full-fledged 'soul patrol' member. He won me over when he walked out (amid the deafening roar from the audience!) in his infamous purple jacket and began to belt out his songs with that wonderful charisma that he possesses. I was hooked. His energy was boundless and his dancing (dancing?!) frenetic and fun. For a few minutes I actually thought that I was a teenager again... as I found myself on my feet rocking out and screaming while getting caught up in the frenzy of it all.

Of course, I am paying for it today as I am finding that I have muscle soreness in places that I didn't know could get sore...! So....I have gotten out the heating pad, trying to take it easy, and slowly reentering my reality as a 57 year old grammie-to-be ... *groan* : 0