Orlando, Virginia, New York City...and finally Boston. My last stop on Elliott Yamin's first tour. If you include Sayreville, New Jersey, The Bowery Ballroom in NYC and Six Flags Great Adventure...I have had the good fortune of seeing Elliott on his first ever solo tour a total of seven times in seven months. AND on top of that I got to meet him personally five out of those seven times.

How did a relatively sane 42 year old, male, HR professional, lose his mind and start following a 29 year old, Jewish R&B singer from Virginia, former pharmacy clerk, who hit it big on a reality TV show around the country and become a 'GROUPIE' so late in life?? Come...join me and see if we can find an answer to that question.

Saturday November 24, 2007...Bayonne NJ...

I am waiting for Chloewannabe (real names have been changed to screen names to protect the innocent) Elliott Fan and button maker par excellence, who is going to pick me up so we can drive up to Westchester and pick up Elliott's Auntie Sheryl so we can start the three hour + drive that is going to take us to what will be, for us, the last stop on Elliott's first ever solo tour. I do want to point out that it has been said by Ms. Wannabe that I have a terrible sense of direction and was responsible for getting us lost twice on the trip to Boston. The exact quote was that "Rick is no Christopher Columbus"...well...since Mr. Columbus set out to find India and never did and Chloe set out to find my house on 23rd Street in Bayonne...and never did either... I will take that as a compliment!!!

We picked up Auntie Sheryl around 10:30 and started for New England. The ride was very pretty with the global warming/too late in the season changing colors of the leaves...Al Gore would be proud. The ride was so much fun with talk of Elliott pretty much the whole way...it was great to be in a car with like minded individuals who GET the whole Elliott thing. No strange looks when you discuss this or that performance from American Idol for the 1000th time.

We listened to the CD, the bonus tracks, the AI performances, The Christmas CD...we only turned on the radio when we started getting close to Boston...and that was because Chloe was calling radio stations in Vermont and Boston requesting and mentioning that we were headed up from New York for the show at the Roxy. I was so proud of her! I didn't even mind that she swerved into oncoming traffic a few times while she was on the phone talking with the deejays. You don't see that kind of dedication and determination everyday!!

We got to Boston around 2:30 and went to the Hotel where we met Yellin and her mother....Mama Yellin. They were both as sweet as can be. Mama Yellin had a bad cough and her arm in a sling (which Chloe proceeded to adorn with buttons) and was being a real trooper. Chloe also showed us a mini Christmas tree which she decorated with photos of Elliott and a Porsche and even a Dreidel...(no Jewish boy's Christmas tree should be without one!) Yellin showed me her tattoo. Chloe called and found out that the sound check was at 4:00 and was told that all we needed to do was take an elevator in back of the Roxy to the 3rd floor and we should have no problem getting in.

So we got ready to leave...Yellin and Chloe put on their specially made t-shirts and buttons. Chloe had the wisdom to bring snacks which included cheese, crackers, pepperoni, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...energy food for a little pre concert stalking. We went to the front desk and asked how far the Roxy was and about parking. When the woman found out who we were going to see she got really excited. She wanted to go to the show but had to work until 11:00. We told her to put a bell and a BE RIGHT BACK sign at the front desk..but she declined...so Chloe gave her a button. We were going to take a cab but decided since it was getting late to drive down in our own car. AGAIN we got lost...(how was I supposed to know that MASS AVE and MASSACHUSSETTS AVE were not the same!!!)

Anyway....we found the Roxy, found parking and found the backstreet that led to the elevator...

to be continued...

You are a recap genius.

oh boy....you are outdoing yourself....... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Ms. Wannabee?? :rotfl:

more more more please!

ok - so you refuse to go for stand up comedy, at least consider writing for a living! You are the best!

heheeeee, keep it comin'...and you are as sweet as can be too;)

As we headed for the elevator...a woman started following us...now I have done this so many times that I can smell an Etrainer a mile away...she said that we had just missed Elliott...he had run by and did not stop...she wanted him to sign a baseball for her...she identified herself by her screen name 'clovergirl' and Chloe invited her to join our merry band. I love that there is no ego with Chloe...no selfishness...if you are a fan...she just wants you to share in the experience...one for all and all for one!!

We found the elevator and just got in and hit three....next thing I knew we were in the venue watching the soundcheck. No one tried to stop us or ask what we were doing there. I know one day that will no longer be possible, so I totally appreciate these times we get to spend with Elliott and the band. There was an Etrainer already inside who got in through some radio promotion...musicmaker111... as nice as can be...I feel like Will Rogers...I never met an Etrainer I didn't like. She said she loved my posts and that I was funny...you have no idea what the Etrain has done for my self esteem! Who needs therapy or Dr. Phil when you have the Etrain!!

Josh was hanging around as were some of the members of The Last Goodnight. The took pictures and signed autographs. Then Elliott came out wearing an orange hoodie and was full of energy, bouncing around taking pictures and talking with everyone. He saw me and said "Hey...you again? Do I need to start worrying?" I told him no that this was my last show and that I was really too lazy to be a stalker. He said he had one more show to go...and even though he loved it he was looking forward to taking a break. He ran off to start the sound check. He sang Take My Breath Away" and sounded amazing. He took his hood off and his hair was standing straight up... He started goofing around and said " 1-2-3 check-check-I need a shower-check 1-2-3- I need a shower- check 1-2-3- I stink- I stink 1-2-3..

He came back down and signed some more stuff and took more pictures. Then Chloe gave him the mini Christmas tree. He was so excited...he really looked like a kid...he was worried about how he was gonna get it home. He gave Chloe a big bear hug and was off to the showers...um...sorry no pictures of that!!

They let us stay in the venue, but I had to go outside and meet my friend Alyse and her friend Erica because I had their tickets. So I braved the cold and went outside. The line was all the way around the block. That was really cool to see...I was so excited to see my friend I didn't get a picture. But the show we were told was sold out. By the look of the line...I was sure it had to be. I ended up almost at the end of the line but they started letting everyone in so we did not wait that long.

By the time we got inside...all the Etrainers were in the front so we made it to about four or five rows of people behind them. When I saw how low the stage was I immediatley regretted leaving my camera in my friends car. But my plan was to just enjoy the show...so I just settled in and got ready to see my last show...

to be continued...

Rick, you are definately a superb storyteller. If writing isn't something you make money from, it SHOULD be! Not to mention your wit...I love a man that makes me laugh! Anxiously awaiting the rest!

I'm loving it!

:rocker:

Rick, I sent you a PM

Funny how I get all excited every time the name Elliott pops up...why IS that? Isn't he cute? Thanks, Rick!

I'm dying here Rick!!!!! More......PLEASE! :rocker:

I introduced my friends to some of the Etrainers while waiting for the show to start. The crowd was beginning to pack in so there was not much room to move around. As I stood there I began to think about all the shows I had been to and all the people I had met. It was kind of an emotional moment...so much has happened to Elliott, to the Etrain, to me. What a difference a year makes.

Last year at this time we were all worried about Elliott's CD and whether it would be a hit or not. Would Elliott have a hit? Would he be relegated to former American Idol Hell? As Kat and Taylor and Daughtry were readying to release their debut efforts around the holidays, we wondered whether Elliott was waiting too long to capitalize on all the goodwill he generated on American Idol. But then came March and a #3 debut on Billboard, #1 independent album debut, and then the long slow climb up the charts with Wait For You. Our fears started to subside.

The Elliott we saw on Ellen, Regis and Kelly, Jimmy Kimmel, A Capitol Fourth was more confident, working the stage, working the crowd. The early leg of the tour was a new artist with new music. The second half of the tour was an artist with a CERTIFIED GOLD record and a hit single. Elliott is so comfortable on stage now...he was born to do this. And we were all there to witness the growth, the transformation. He invited us on this journey a while ago...and what a ride it has been.

For me, it was so fitting that the show in Boston was on Thanksgiving Weekend. I have so much to be thankful for. For Elliott's gift...not just the gift of music...he has brought together so many people, from so many walks of life. Having met so many Etrainers at all the different shows, it amazes me how diverse the group is. Teachers, Nurses, Dr's, lawyers, business people, housewives, young, old, black, white, men, women. And everyone has a story...I have had people share with me some pretty amazing stories. How their lives have been touched by this young man. I have made some amazing new friends. I have seen such amazing acts of kindness...people opening their hearts and homes...and wallets to people they have never met except online, picking up people in airports, driving miles to get people to concerts, making gifts, sharing laughter and tears with each other. Standing next to these people at concerts hearing Elliott sing is a gift that I can't even begin to describe. Seeing Chloe's face whenever Elliott sings A Song For You...as if she is hearing it for the first time. Standing next to Robyn in NYC as Elliott sang You Take My Breath Away... her favorite Elliott song and FEEL how moved she was. Seeing Linda's face light up while he sang Free.

Elliott has also given us the gift of Josh Hoge. My first impression was OPENING ACT...HURRY UP GET OFF THE STAGE. Now...I am priveleged to say I have seen another future Grammy Award winning, music legend, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. He is an amazing talent. And the way he spends time with the fans before and after a show. He remembered me from show after show and even knew I was RICK1965...he said he was a big fan of my posts. How crazy is that??? (don't worry Josh, that autographed 8x10 is on it's way!!)

Oh yeah the show...I could go on and on about how brilliant Elliott and Josh were...but others have done that better than I could...plus you just have to look at the clips from any one of the shows to see what everyone already knows.

Thank you Elliott...you have given us so many gifts there are no words that can express how indebted to you we are. You have inspired so many people in ways you will never know.

Blessings to you and your family this holiday season.

And to all the Etrainers...peace and love to you all. It has been a pleasure sharing the journey with you.

Always...

Rick1965

:hug:

AND ONE FROM ME TOO! ELLIOTT HAS THE NICEST FANS (I keep saying that because it's true) :hug:

I absolutely love reading your recaps. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Rick. I am very emotional after reading the conclusion to your recap. It really sums up so much of what I feel. What has happened because of Elliott is a beautiful thing. :hug: and to the whole etrain :grouphug:

Wow Rick, that was another amazing recap, and a special one, since it's the last show for you on this leg of the tour. Thanks for sharing your heartfelt thoughts detailed experience w/ us!

Now I am proud to say I am the FEMALE version of YOU;) MUWAHHHHHHH!!!! xoxo

OK Rick...you did it again! You made me laugh you made me cry, you made me say "oh yeah!" right outloud. God Bless you and all the dear E-trainers. It has truly been an extraordinary ride and it just keeps getting better!!

That's the most beautiful thing I've ever read on this board.

(Someone should archive this.)

Thank you for taking the time to express what so many of us feel but could never express so eloquently.

Now please excuse me while I leave to have a meltdown ... ha ha.

Wonderful, my friend, just wonderful.

:awe:

Will do, Jackie!

:bawl:

:friends:

:lotsolove:

:etrain:

(I have no words...)

Thank you Toni.

Sniff, sob.

DITTO--
I have been patiently waiting for the end of this recap all day--and wow- was it worth waiting for!!

It was everything I feel (maybe not the midlife crisis part-- lol) put so brilliantly into words Rick-style

You're my favorite writer(If you watch Raymond you might get that)

It has been such a pleasure meeting and getting to you know all of you

but please people-- I feel like we are talking about it like it is ending (I am guilty of that as well)-- It is just the beginning (I guess we are all feeling verklempt that the tour has ended)

amazing recap-- amazing performer and the people he surrounds himself with (Josh and all the guys-- I'm talking to you especially), amazing family here on the Etrain--can it get better than this?

judging by the last 2 years-- I will have to answer--YES :rocker:

wow, wow, wow-- I still have goosebumps and chills and tears from reading the whole recap again :awe:


:cheers: to more good times in the future and continued success for E and all the guys-- we love you!
Thank you again Rick-- you are truly a special person with an incredible gift--so thankful you share it with us.


robyn

Just beautiful...thank you for writing this, Rick!

Rick, you so eloquently expressed how I also, and probably all of us on this board, feel about Elliott and the journey we have all shared with him, and with each other. That was just beautiful. Thank you for your humor and gift with words. It was great meeting you at the Roxy.

Ditto to everything Rick said!...See I write well too! :rocker: :grouphug:

:awwwman: :hug:

Rick...you really have a gift....to make me laugh and cry at the same time!! I consider the friends I have made here...lifelong friends. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us.

Done...
http://etrainstation.com/index.php?showtop...20#entry7084338

Thank you, Rick! It's a wonderful recap and very heartfelt! :rocker:

eta: Rick is no stranger to our archive thread...just realized I have archived a few of his posts in the past!

Wow Rick,

You captured everything in the recap. I am so glad I got to meet you and so many of the other E-trainers. Great friendships have bloomed out of our love for Elliott.

:awe:

Rick...Your recap is amazing!!! You definately have a way with words and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to meet you. This recap portrays what an awesome guy you are. You are right, the Etrain has united some wonderful people together. I will always cherish the great fun we all had in Norfolk and I am eagerly awaiting many more opportunities to all unite again in the future.

Til then...Keep writing...Everyone LOVES to read the official word from Rick!!!

Hugs & Blessings, :awe:

Theresa

What an incredible recap Rick. I did not get to meet you personally but feel like I know you just from reading your posts. I was reading this recap and laughing my butt off. My husband just looks at me like I lost my mind but that was definitely entertaining. It was great. I too do not understand my addiction with this 29 year old from Virginia. I love all types of music and have had favorite bands and singers throughout the years but never in my life did I follow anyones career on a daily basis and have no intention of stopping. This web site is the absolute best and I sincerely hope I get to meet some of you at some point in time. Looking forward to many more Elliott stories and recaps and a lot a lot a lot more music in the future!!!!!!!