Well a year ago yesterday (July 29) there were 12,000 people - many of you were there - at Elliott's homecoming AI tour stop in Richmond, VA. It was hot as blazes, inside and outside the Coliseum. Elliott was in the first weeks of the tour and was having a bad day - he'd overslept the day before when he was due to meet the Prez and caught h*** for that from everyone, he was getting used to life in a fishbowl and it wasn't pleasant, he wanted some time with friends and family here in town and AI wasn't allowing it, and on top of everything the blood sugar was out of whack. He gave probably his only cranky interview ever with Melissa R of the Times Dispatch. He stepped on stage to the roar of the crowd and announced that he was "really nervous". His performance was great as always - but he clearly had not found total comfort in performing on tour yet and was just learning the ropes of being a "star".

Flash forward a year. Just a short little year. I am so, so, so, so proud of where he is today. Not just the great CD - not just a Top 5 single - he has morphed into a gracious, humble superstar. I just watched the Capitol Fourth performance for the zillionth time and the AI performance from THIS year and my God how far he has come as a performer! Watching him, the slacker guy from the pharmacy, being introduced for the performance - then his confidence on stage. I'm sure Elliott still thinks about having his own dancing girls and laughs out loud! It's hilarious!

This is such a dream come true! But it's not just the result of some good breaks, it's the result of someone who used the opportunities given to the absolute fullest - and worked his backside off to learn, improve, listen, and deliver the best that he has to offer.

Listening to his interview with Kane last night/this morning. I can feel that Elliott finally believes that he is THE MAN. He believes he is good and that he is worthy of being a star. That confidence coupled with his talent - there's just no stopping him now!

Funny that you post this. Last week I was watching a bunch of his YouTube videos from AI5, etc... and was thinking about all that this last year has brought Elliott. Last year I never thought in my wildest dreams his vocals could ever improve but they have, maybe it is just because he is relaxed and confident. It has been so amazing to witness and when you think of how well WFY and his cd is doing, the concert tour, the sporting event performances, Fourth at the Capital performance, it is just literally, unbelievable. On top of that he is still such a wonderful human being. I truly believe every dj that talks to him gets won over, how can they not like and respect him?

I couldn't be happier for him. If he wasn't so busy and working so hard, he'd find it all overwhelming.

If he wasn't so busy and working so hard, he'd find it all overwhelming

What an amazing point! I had never thought about that! The manic work schedule he has kept may be the only way to handle the sudden rush of success. If I were in his place, I might be afraid that if I stopped for just a minute, it would all go away.

Great posts, both of you.

Good points...I ran into a friend this weekend who was going to the SF
Giants game on Sunday...I told him he was in for a treat...He and his
wife voted for Elliott while on Idol but never kept up....I told him what
has been going on and that he was going to see the same great talent...
but a more mature..confident performer...He really has grown so much in a year..
And I will forever be proud to call myself a fan of Elliott Yamin.... :elliottcap:

Good posting ^^
I was thinking earlier about when I saw Elliott live for the first time (a year ago tomorrow) and my mom was like,"LISTEN TO ELLIOTT HE IS GREAT!" And kept telling me and my friend to shut-up while he was singing (Well mainly my friend, who was going,"Haha Elliott is sooo evil and bad I'm going to hide under my bed!" When he sang Trouble) And I did and listened and was like,"Omg Elliott is awesome sausome!" :D
Oh and after the show was over me and my friend waited at the buses and she saw this guy and whispered,"Hey I think that's Elliott." And I yelled,"Heyyyy Elliott!" But it wasn't Elliott XD
So yeahhhhh =]

Great posts. What a year.

Linda, I am right with you with every thought!! You so eloquently write exactly what I am also thinking! Great post! :cheers:

GREAT POST LINDA. SO TRUE. IT HAS BEEN QUITE A YEAR AND NO STOPPING HIM NOW. I LOVE IT. :cheerleader1:

:etrain: 4LIFE

GREAT POST LINDA! Well Put! :elliottelliott:

Excellent post! This year has been so amazing and there is no sign of slowing down. I love this ride... GO ELLIOTT!

:elliottelliott: :elliottporsche: