After driving to Houston from Austin my dh and I got checked into our hotel about 3:30 Friday afternoon. If I had had a rock I could have thrown it and hit The Meridian (venue) as it was just across the freeway from our hotel which is why I chose to stay there that night - 1/3 of a mile away. My husband is wonderful but got really engrossed in watching CNN as we rested up in our room. His other focus was food and we did go out and get him something. He drove me crazy all afternoon and night about me eating and drinking. I figured that unless I got killed trying to get to the club I could eat and drink later. I was living on adrenalin!!! But, I actually had no expectations of any wonderful encounter with Elliott. We came back to the hotel after dh had eaten and about the time I was getting ready to say something about scouting out the club he asked me if I thought it was time to go check out the club!!! At almost exactly 5 we drove the .35 mile - 1 minute - to The Medidian and drove around the club and there was the huge black tour bus and the black trailer behind it in the parking lot. I was amazed at how deserted this area was. It was just another hot Friday afternoon in downtown Houston - or so it seemed. We drove around the club again and as we got to where we could see the bus again I screamed at my dh to stop because I spotted Elliott!!! He was walking away from the street and went into the building. I asked my dh if he could back up and pull in and while the car was still moving a little I jumped out and walked toward where I had seen Elliott. He was behind the bus by then (probably trying to hide) and was listening to his iPod! I walked toward him and mouthed the word “Hi” and he said “Hi” and looked a little scared but took his iPod off. I had gifts for him. They were scotch taped together and I hadn’t wanted to have to open them for security or leave them for someone else to give to him so after I told him how good it was to see him - that’s all I could think of to say (doh-I never even said his name!!!???) I asked him if I could give him the gifts then and he said sure and it was good to see me, too! He still looked a little skittish but we shook hands and I asked if I could get a hug and we hugged!!! Elliott is all muscle, blood and bone. There is not an ounce of fat on the man! I told him that my dh and I had driven from Austin for the show that night. Then, I suddenly remembered by dh! I asked Elliott if he would mind coming over to our car so my husband could meet him and he was glad to do it. It was only then that I told him my name! My dh stuck his hand out and said “Welcome to Texas!” and they shook hands. He asked Elliott if he would be coming out on the stage around 9 and Elliott replied that since it was a Friday night he probably wouldn’t start until about 10:45. I asked him if he would stay after the show and he said yes that he always does! I told him that I was an E-Trainer and he put his fist in the air and said either “Go E-Train!” or “Yay, E-Train!” I’m not sure which it was because I had a touch of hysterical deafness! LOL! I had my camera but didn’t bother him for a picture at that point. I thanked him, we told him “bye” and I said we would see him later at the show and as we drove off I watched him take my gifts and get on the bus. I was so glad that I had been able to give them directly to him and didn’t have to carry them the rest of the night. I felt a little bad having bothered him but just couldn’t let my opportunity pass by. On the way back to our hotel I just kept repeating “I can’t believe this happened!” over and over again. It was just so easy! He was just so sweet and generous with his time like everyone says. The icing on the cake was my husband getting to meet him and talk to him, too. I was completely satisfied at that point We had talked, shook hands, hugged, I had given him gifts and my dh got to meet him. I didn’t need anything more, ever. That longing had been completely satisfied! Well, except for getting a picture with him!

Back at the hotel I tried to estimate when we should go get in line at The Meridian. I thought it was strange that there was no marquee. We got back to the club about quarter of 7 - doors were supposed to open at 7 - and there were quite a few people in line. Heard a couple in back of us tell how they met Elliott in the parking lot that afternoon - almost the same story as ours! They had driven 5 hours from Elizabeth, Louisiana! I knew that they would have some bar stools and bar height tables in the club but worried that we would have to stand. The venue was on the second floor and about 7:20 they started letting people in. My dh and I got the last two bar stools at the very front of the tables which were set pretty far back from the stage. They had bars on both sides of the big room. People stood at the stage but the crowd wasn’t that deep. This crowd was different from crowds described in other concert recaps in that most of the people were in their twenties or thirties at the very most. No children, no older people. This venue could hold about 1000 and I would say there were 300-350 people there. I was shocked at how few people there were there. Not knocking anyone or thinking Elliott’s career is doomed because of this - just stating a fact. A huge city like Houston and such a small turn-out. I was very disappointed in my state of Texas. Personally, I think the radio stations are partly to blame. More about that later. The place was F R E E Z I N G! I’m cold natured so I wore heavy jeans and a long sleeved shirt and I was so cold I shook most of the time. Josh came on and I enjoyed him and his four song set. I love his performance of “Ain’t No Sunshine”! I bought one of his CDs after his part of the show was over. While Josh performed I went up to the stage and took one picture of him. I was using our digital camera and NONE of the pictures we took the whole night except for one turned out. But, it was the most important picture of the night! While the Last Goodnight performed Jaime and Russell and one of the Goldstein brothers hung. Jaime looked like she didn’t have a bit of makeup on but was gorgeous anyway. She had on a white sweatshirt with a hood. I think she was freezing, too - she’s so slender. She had on jeans and, looked great in them! I was surprised at how the three of them just wandered around the club and watched whoever was on stage and no one bothered them. The Last Goodnight was pretty good. My favorite song of theirs is “Poison Kiss”. The whole atmosphere in that club changed totally when Elliott came out about 10:45! It was a small crowd but they showed him a lot of love and there was a lot of interaction! I left my dh and got up within 3-4 feet of the stage and took pictures and enjoyed soaking him in with my eyes and ears every second he was performing! He asked the crowd to sing along with “Wait For You” and everyone did and when he sang “One Word” there were plenty of index fingers in the air and lots of people singing. About 2/3rds of the way through his set I went back to where my dh was sitting because I had been standing right in front of a speaker and I wanted to hear the songs differently and watch the crowd that was in front of the stage. Elliott ended his set with “A Song For Y’all” - I lke it when he changes “you” to “y’all”! There was lots of moaning and sighing and whoops during this song. All through his set the club was just electrified. As he said thanks for coming and good-night, etc. I tapped my dh on the shoulder and motioned towards the merchandise table. I bought a T-shirt to benefit the charity giving insulin to children in mostly 3rd world countries and waited my turn to get Elliott’s liner notes signed and my picture with him. I spotted the twins - Sarah and Laura and talked to them briefly. Finally, it was my turn and Elliott said “Thanks for my necklace.” (He had already opened it!) Then, he said “What’s your name, sweetie?” I told him and he signed his liner notes “To Paulette, Thx for my wonderful gift! God Bless! Elliott Yamin.” Then my dh took my picture with Elliott! THAT was the most important picture of the night. The concert was amazing - Elliott sang his heart out like he always does! And, it was all beautiful, as always! When he came out to the merchandise table he had put on an old Houston Oilers T-shirt. He must have about a million T-shirts! If anyone cares what he wore for the concert let me know and I’ll look at my awful pictures and tell you. I just don’t notice for some reason. I’m busy looking at his curls, nose, muscles, baby blues, just full enough, pouty lips, etc. I said I would talk about the radio stations here in Texas. On our first drive around the club we spotted a radio station van parked at the club. My hubby thinks it was KRBE but we never saw any radio people or photographers or anything like that. On our drive back to Austin the next morning KRBE - big Houston radio station - played “Wait For You” and when the song was over the DJ didn’t say one word about the fact that Elliott had performed in Houston the night before. And, when we got back within range of Mix 96.7 in Austin they played “Wait For You” and after the song was over the DJ didn’t mention that Elliott would be performing that night at The Parish Room on 6th Street in the Music Capitol of The World! What’s up with that! Now, on to my Austin concert recap! Here is my picture with sweet Elliott!:

http://members.rennlist.com/cnalljr/mini-Picture%20045.jpg

what a great recap! And a great experience - love your picture! Elliott the person was just who you imagined he'd be wasn't he?

Very good recap! Did you tell Elliott the cord was to replace the one that broke in Chicago?

Yes, he certainly was!!! And more!

Thanks! Yeah, JackieB! I explained everything in a note I put in the box! I also gave him 2 CDs - just a couple of CDs that I like and thought he and the guys could listen to on the bus!

Thanks, lindagt!

Thank you for your recap, Paulette!! I'm so happy you finally got to meet him...I know you wanted to meet him last year but things didn't work out as expected....but now, you have your pic, got your dh to meet him, he thanked you for the necklace, so awesome...it was nice that you got to sit on the stool, too!! I would have killed for a stool at the HOB ;-)

You're welcome! Yes, Toni! I missed out last year but now all my wishes have been fulfilled. I still need to write my Austin recap. I did have to stand last night for the entire concert and when I got home at 1 a.m. this morning I thought maybe I'd have to have both feet amputated! :rotfl: Also, something special for me happened at the Austin concert! But, it's not all good news. Don't mean to tease y'all but I don't think I can get it written until tomorrow. Have pictures to post, too!

Thanks, Paulette!! Glad you gave darling E the warmest welcome ever!
Love your picture too! I'm really happy you got a hug honey, you deserve it!!

Thanks so much AngELL! I hope everyone who has not met Elliott some day gets to meet and talk to him and get their hug or whatever they want!

Yeh for you meeting E! :rocker: Great recap!!! I impatiently waited to see E as well, but it was oh so worth it! First concert wasn't quite enough, thus my last minute trip to MO! :fangirly:

Thank you for the recap. The folks in Houston don't know what they missed.

Thanks bigEfan! It had been a little over a year since I saw Elliott in the American Idol tour here in Austin. That was the only time I had had the chance to see him. I realize how very lucky I am to have had this fantastic weekend - seeing him twice and I'll never forget it!

You're right, MaryLee! It seems most Texans are goobers!!! :rotfl:

WOOOHOOO!!!! Awesome recap AITex! I know how it feels for an Elliott meeting to fall through, but man oh man, when it fianlly happens, all the previous disappointments disappear!!!! So happy for you hon & LOVE the pic!! :awe:

Edited cause my typing sucked worse than ususal...

Great recap thatnks so much for sharing!

I guess the Dallas concert-goers aren't the "goobers" they are elsewhere! lol!
...we sold out HOB many weeks before the concert...it was VERY well attended...I was just glad that it was still small enough to feel initmate!! :awe:

WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Your recap was simply amazing, and I am so thrilled that you finally got such a memorable experience with Elliott!! Makes my heart smile to know that each and every recap, tells the story of just how "One Word...AMAZING" Elliott really is;) CONGRATS HON!!

xxoo

Thanks realitymom! Yeah, I realize I am one very lucky lady! It was a totally awesome weekend that I'll never, ever forget! :awe:

Sorry, mama!!! Didn't mean to include any Dallasites! Texas just gets gooberish the further south you go, evidently! LOL!!!

Thanks, yellin!!! You're so sweet. I'm so jealus of your tatoo that I've been thinking of getting the same one but I'm afraid you might come down here to Gooberland (SOUTH of Dallas!) and give me what for!!! LOL! I'll probably just THINK about it - I'm kind of an old broad to be getting a tat! Love ya!

You're welcome, sweetie! I enjoyed writing both of them!