I just got back from the concert at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville NJ...and i got to meet ELLIOTT too!! I knew there would be two opening acts so I was really in no rush to get there. My cousin and I pulled in around 8:15 and saw the tour bus parked at the side of the venue. I saw a small crowd of about 10 people standing outside the bus and I noticed flashes so I said to my cousin he must be outside. Sure enough...as we parked from a different angle I could see the man himself!!! And I knew right away it was him...FROM THE ORIOLES HAT ON HIS HEAD!! It was so exciting to see him in person...everyone always comments how small he is...but he didn't seem exceptionally small..i made my way over and the crowd had shrunk by that time to about 4 people...he was so nice and kind posing for pictures and signing autographs for everyone and talking with them. He has a great speaking voice and he just connects with every person he is talking to. I felt like an idiot because my hands were shaking...next thing I am standing in front of him...I said hello and shook his hand...I asked if he could sign my cd cover and babbled something about how good the cd is and congratulations on your success and that he deserved all the success...I then asked if I could take a picture and I put my arm around his shoulder and he put his arm around mine. My hand was shaking on his shoulder which I am sure he felt. I was so embarrassed...he was probably thinking who is this freak? My cousin got off two pics and then I thanked him and he thanked me and then we shook hands again. Then I walked back to the car and threw up!!! I didn't really but I felt like it!! It was the coolest thing that has EVER happened to me. :elliottcap:

ahhh...I am very happy for you ! Thank you for writing your story !!

That's so cool. Who'd thought getting there late you'd see Elliott.

2 opening acts?

Yeah two opening acts...the first was some local band...but I was still in shock from meeting Elliott that I heard nothing...then Josh Hoge came out and sang...he was good but again I was still coming down from my high. Then Elliott took the stage and sang the same set he sang at the Alexandria VA show... He opened with Alright which sounded amazing and should definitely be his next single. He was sweating up a storm...he even commented that this was the hottest stage he had ever been on. For those that hate the curls all hanging in his eyes they would have loved to see him slick his soaking wet hair back with his hands! I got a whole bunch of pictures and as soon as I figure out how I will post them here. The one of him and me is going to be my Christmas card this year!! :rotfl:

Congratulations on meeting Elliott! :)

that's great! I was at the concert too. Afterwards we saw people waiting at the bus, but I didn't want to stand in the rain.

What were you wearing? Was it a red sweatshirt? I was probably in that group you were talking about, and I may have gotten a picture of the two of you from a different angle.

Congrats on meeting E! Wasn't it -- the whole thing -- awesome? :)

Yup...It was a red sweater and I had on a cap and glasses. It's so strange...I know there are other Etrainers walking around but I feel funny just walking up to strangers and asking if they are from ETRAINSTATION...

Another cool thing was that I noticed I had on the same exact Star of David that Elliott had on.

I am going to the show on Tues in NYC...maybe I will be more brave and actually talk to someone!! :elliottcap:

I hope I look better in your picture...I look like a big doofus in mine!!! :rotfl: :rotfl:

I'm happy for u that u got to meet THE man :cheerleader1: (sorry that u were sick after that!)

Do u intend to post your pic with him?? :awe:

Cool that you got to meet him. At the Birchmere, I kept going up and down the line yelling for E-Trainers, got some looks but I didn't care! :lol:

How great that you got to meet E! I can feel your excitement in your post! Way to go!

Congratulations!!! What a mind-blowing experience! Just listening to it will
give me rapturous memories for life--and please put me on your Christmas card list, ok??!!!!!

For those who were there, how many people were there? Was it sold out? (or almost?)

lol I know what you mean about your hands shaking... I am the worst for that! My hands and my legs shake all the time when I am nervous! Its sucks. lol

But thats sooo cool that you got to meet him. :elliottcap: :awe:

I don't know how many the venue holds but it didn't seem sold out. I would say say about 300-400 people...though the place only holds about 500-600. I could be wrong...I am bad at judging things like that. Definitely a good size crowd. And a great mix of people...young, old, men women etc.

I think most of the venues are going to be smaller like this - wonder how a musician adjusts from playing to 5,000 one night to 400 the next? I'm actually anxious to see the show before a smaller crowd. I think Elliott will lend himself to more intimate settings.

As soon as I figure out how to post the pictures I will. I am going to have to become computer literate by this afternoon!! At least being an Elliott fan is an educational experience...learning how to post, paste, text, google, IM, etc...Let's hear it for Etrainstation University. Maybe Elliott can perform at our Homecoming dance!!!

the modest goal is always a 50-60% sale of seats; anything above that is icing on the cake. Of course, you want a sell-out, but that's a rare occurrence, unless you are the flavor of the month, or have a long track history. Buble used to play to half a house, and now you can't get a seat.

He was absolutely at home in this intimate setting...not that I wouldn't love to see him filling stadiums someday!!! But he was so relaxed and just grooving along...he really is growing as a perfomer. I have heard crtics say that he needs to move away from the mic...he was moving around more on stage and even dancing a bit. it is really neat to see him evolve and improve as a performer.

SOOO Happy for you! Has your feet touched the ground yet? lol
Can't wait to see your pictures!
:elliottcap: :awe:

WOW!!!!Elliott was just phenomenal!!!!! We(me, Yellin for Yamin and Kim) got there around 4;15 in the afternoon,We were literally the only car in the parking lot, so I said let's drive around an check it out. Well, we wnt from the front of the building around to the side and VOILA!!!!! there was THE BUS!!!!!!!So we parked right in front of it. There were about 10 people milling around, all dressed up.Couldnt figure out where they camefrom, as there was no car. It was a bunch of young teens and a couple of moms. It turned out that they were at a confirmation party across the street at a VFW hall.The girls had seen the marquis with Elliott's name on it, and when they saw the bus pull in, they all came running over. Russell came out of the bus and said that e was just waking up, and to give him 15 minutes or so. Then Scott came out and made some calls. well 15 minutes turned in to longer than that so the partygoers had to go back to their party. finally elliott came out of the bus and we talked to him and took a bunch of pics, and had a great time visiting with him. We had set up the etrain at the front of the building ,but he never made it out there. we wanted to take pics of him by it....maybe next time!Some other etrainers showed up , and all in all we probably spent a good hour and a half with Elliott b4 the concert. Then we packed up the etrain, and stood in line in the rain to get inside. Didnt get in till about 7:45, and made our way to the front right in front of the stage. the first act was "jersey Joan"who did about 5 songs( no offense, she was good, but it was about 3 songs too many).We came to see Elliott.Then Josh came out and did about 6 or 7 songs,He was really good. His set lasted about 45 minutes, and by this time , the crowd was really ready for ELLIOTT!!! Finally E came out( it was after 10P.m.) and started with Allright!! He was amazing!!!!! Everyone loved him!!!Took lots of pics, which I will upload later.
Will came back to continue the saga later> I have to take Yellin to the airport NOW. she has a 3;15 flight and wants to get there early!
We had a fabulous time yesterday. Wait till you see the all new 2007 Rocker Pic!!Its a classic!!!!
later

Sounds great Chloe! Can't wait to hear more and see the pics!

Loved reading your recap Rick. I know what you mean about the shaking....I do that too. I was able to shake Elliott's hand at a CD signing and I really had to calm myself down. Hope you can download your pictures.

I can't wait to hear the rest of the story! I bet your pics are GREAT!

Same here!

Terrific to hear about another meet with Elliott... what do you all talk about for an hour and a half lol, I'd say 2 sentences and I'd be done otherwise I'd say something stupid :rotfl:

Can't wait for the pics. :awe:

Hi Rick...I think you'll remember me...I was the tall woman in front of you at that tour bus, the one with the 8-year-old blonde girl getting her CD signed by Elliott. My daughter was the perfect "cover" because I would not have had the nerve to ask Elliott to come over and talk to us and sign CDs on my own, but you know, um, it's for the kid. Yeah, right! I managed to say "Welcome to New Jersey" and some other babble. I just honestly could not belive that he was standing right there in front of us. I'm sure he's still equally amazed that complete strangers are clamoring for his autograph.
First, I would advise everyone who is going to an Elliott show...don't go in too early...all the music starts so late anyway. Doors opened at 7:30, but the first of three acts didn't go on until around 8:30. If last night in NJ was any indication, Elliott will happily chat with fans by the bus or wherever. Of course he's busy, but as long as you're polite...His brother was buzzing around in and out of the club, and was chatting with anyone who asked him a question. No sign of the girlfriend.
Let me see if I can add any of my own observations to what was already posted here:
First, I think Elliott did a fantastic job. I think he best songs were "Wait for You," "I'm the Man," "One Word," "Living for the City" and his encore, "A Song for You." That last song is done just with piano accompaniment...if it were up to me, he'd do ALL the songs that way. The band was great, but nothing compares to Elliott's voice and I think when he has the band, it sort of encourages him to sing a little louder and more forced than he needs to. Also, I don't see any of that "growly" Elliott that he showed on Idol songs like, "I Believe to My Soul." There's a little too many syrupy R&B-style love songs on his current CD, in my opinion, and the set list reflects that.
Also, a fairly short show...about an hour total.
Rick, I agree that I really enjoyed watching Elliott get so sweaty that he had to keep pushing has hair back off his face. Ladies....you'll see what I mean. He said Starland was the hottest venue he ever played, but honestly the rest of his band was not that sweaty! (Another alert for the ladies...his guitar player (the one who the long dark hair) is really, um, handsome.)
Opening act Josh Hoge (also really cute) was a terrific singer with some really good songs, and a very entertaining guy. He remarked that he liked the atmosphere at Starland, which is basically a very large bar...said the previous appearances were in Richmond, where the crowd was huge, and at a place where they were serving food, which I guess is a bit weird for the performers to watch people eating dinner while they sing. Josh complemented Elliott and said something like "the boy can SANG...you chose a really great singer to follow the career of."
For those of you wondering why Josh only sang the one song with Elliott, maybe it had something to do with the fact that Josh implied they had been partying all night long! (Said he wore the same shirt as the night before, only inside-out.) Who knows?
I was a bit surprised that the crowd wasn't larger...Starland is a pretty small club, and it was half-full at best. I'm guessing that most of the NYC audience is going to Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday, which I'm also going to with my husband....But honestly, I'm thrilled I got to see him in such a small venue. It was a great night. But I hope that in the future Elliott can command a much larger stage.
I have been a member of Etrain since last year, and hardly ever write in....but I wanted to write to say just how proud I am of Elliott...I heard "Wait for You" on Z100 in NYC the day before the show and I swear it was like my own son had been on the radio. I was just so proud. (Although last night I was trying to calcuate whether I was old enough to be Elliott's mother and I am happy to report that I could not! So there!)

Enjoy the rest of the shows, folks!

Thanks everyone.. I cant wait to see the pics! I bet they are GREAT!! :rocker:

Pamik27
I would love to say I remember you but my memories are kind of hazy!!! It was so cool meeting Elliott that I was just so spaced out that my cousin had to keep dangling shiny objects in front of me to bring me back!!! I remember people talking to me but I was just on cloud nine. He was just so down to earth and genuine. He was not on some star trip. you could feel how grateful he was to everyone...I wish I had said something more memorable to him but I was kind of just stunned to find him standing outside his bus so calm and cool talking to his fans. I also realized that I was talking to a future music legend that also blew my mind. He really deserves all his success. His voice is brilliant!! I am a huge music fan and have loved many artists over the years, but Elliott's voice touches deep down. I wasn't even a particularly big R&B fan, but that's the power of music. If that wasn't enough...he also has an amazing story...all he has overcome, how he cares about his family and friends, how he respects his fans and is an incredible role model to young people...heck even old people like me can be inspired by the man. In this era of disposable music and celebrity Elliott is such a breath of fresh air. OK...OK I will stop gushing now...Damn I am a 42 year old man and I feel like one of your daughters!!! Too sad, huh? I will be at the Bowery on Tues...hope to see you there! I will be the big dork down in the front!!! :crazy:

Love it!! I love to hear just how he has touched other people. You really can't even put it into words most of the time.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience. That's our E! :awe:

Rick,
So funny...will look for the "big dork down in front" at Bowery...hope it's a great show.
Pami

Okay, here come some pics...First we have yellin and chloe's hubby...No redsox cracks,please!


Here's yellin and Chloe as they were about to leave


Despite the rain we set upthe train under an overhang out front.L to R are Penni(auntie Sherryl's sister), Kim( Chloe's co worker),Ally form NJ, her co worker, Kathy, and Yellin


Penni and Elliott by the bus( oops, no actually by the porta potty!) :rotfl:


me by the bus, wearing my Song for You scarf that Yellin gave me.

Elliott signed it


Here it is in all it's glory.....THE HAT!!!!!!


This is Kate, an Elliott/Tay fan who travelled all the way from Albany for the show


E-trainer Jeanine s with E


Ally with E


My co worker Kim with E


Me and E


This is Ally with Scott( turns out they are both Pharmacy students) OK Ally remember what we decided( M.O.H and all!!) :rotfl:


me, e and Yellin

Andrea, Jeanine and Yellin by the train



More to follow...

Love all your picture Chloe!!! I snagged the one with the hat...hope you don't mind...you all look GREAT. So does Elliott, of course!! :elliottcap:

I love seeing all of the pics! It looks like you all had a great time. Too cool that you got to spend time with him and get pics.

Great pics Chloe. :elliottelliott:

And without further ado.........................................
THE MAN!!!!!!!














Okay that was the middle, Next I give you th end......

Boy is he hot! (In more ways than one)

Absolutely beautiful pictures you all. Who's that guy stickin his head out of the bus and making faces with Ally and E?

And are Ally and Scott both single? hmmmm? :)