I wasn't sure where to post this...

I came into the office Thursday morning to hear from a couple of co-workers that Elliott had done a telephone interview with local station Mix 105.1. Which is odd since, according to Mediabase, they have not been playing his music at all! They do a mix of Hot AC and hits from the 80s and 90s. So I e-mailed the station to see if they would be posting it on their website. The producer replied to say that they would play the interview again this morning as part of their “best of the week” coverage. I would have posted this earlier but they don’t seem to have a live stream. So I listened this morning and took notes. Nothing really new. The interview was conducted at 7:10 a.m. EDT and Elliott sounded a little groggy. The DJs (Scott and Erica) asked if he was calling from the bus. He said yes, and they asked if he was bugging any of his band members by being on the phone so early. His reply was “who cares?!” In jest, of course.

While I’m glad they didn’t ask the tired old questions about his teeth, hair, and his mother, the discussion really didn’t cover any new ground. Here is a brief recap:

He loves touring and being on the bus

He’s living a dream come true – he’s working hard, but it’s rewarding work. He’s really thankful for this opportunity.

When asked if it was strange always having other people offer to do stuff for him, he said the strangest part was having someone drive him around. He misses driving, and mentioned his new car in LA and the very low mileage he’s put on it thus far.

When asked which of the celebrities he has met has made the biggest impact on him, he mentioned Stevie Wonder again, and what a big fan he is.

When asked about the Donny Hathaway influence, he said he heard him for the first time the summer after his sixth grade year. A buddy (Michael Smith?) played his music, which he got from his father.

Elliott mentioned that Taylor called him a couple of days ago and told him that he’s walking around with Donny Hathaway’s throat.

That was pretty much it, except for a plug for his concert tomorrow night. I will be there, of course. I have no idea if there will be any meet and greet opportunity. We’re getting there early for dinner and I will probably look for his bus in the parking lot. This HOB is at the Downtown Disney West Side, and the parking lot a bit of a walk to the venue. You can’t pull up a vehicle near the building. So I don’t know if the guys will hang out in the bus or head on into the club. Also, they don’t permit cameras. I’ll probably bring it with me to dinner (just in case) then take it back to my car before we go into the concert venue. Even though I REALLY want to meet him, I will be thrilled just to see/hear him live and up close!!

I saw Nick Carter at the HOB Orlando back in 2003, it is a great venue for a concert! You will definatly have a good seat. I snuck my camera in and managed to take about 6 photos before they noticed. The security didn't make me turn it in or delete the photos. So hopefully you can have the same luck, if not better. :)

Have a great time at the show!

thanks for posting a recap of the interview! Good luck in meeting Elliott and getting pics :)

Thanks for the heads up..I'm going to try & sneak in my camera & take a few shots..wish me luck :)

Nevermind the boots - go get yourself a phone with a decent camera. They'll allow that in. If you think you're on the verge of being caught, slip it into Rick's pocket.

Thanks -- though I've eaten at the restaurant, I have to say that I've never attended a concert at HOB. I'm not wild about the SRO thing (the only seats are on the balcony, and they run about $60). I'm short so I hope it's not a problem. My BIL took my niece to see the Jonas Brothers (!) there a few weeks agao and he said they had no problem seeing. He did say the place gets rather warm. Poor Elliott -- no wonder he drinks so much water, he sweats it all out!!

When I was living down there I went to HOB in Orlando many times to see my friend who is a tour manager for a group called "HIM" and "Cobra starship".

Anyway, when he was there last time he got me in the back to see him and hang out with him and the band "HIM" and do you know they still didn't allow you to have a camera? You'd think they would be more relaxed back stage. I had to get the guys to autograph a cd cover they gave me. A great group of guys from Finland.

Odd...we didn't have a camera phone at the time. So yeah the security is really tight. Just to let you know since I was able to hang out back stage with the bands, since my best friend was the tour manager, and they still checked me for camera's.

They have great hamburgers there and also some red beans and rice.

Oh and a hint, they usually pull up the bus right beside the restaurant/gift shop around back. If you can get in on the side of the gift shop that is where you can get it to meet them.