What would you be doing right now if you'd never heard Elliott sing? Seriously, how would your life be different? Think about it - what would you be listening to, what would you be interested in? I'm going on Saturday errands, but later I'm going to try to imagine life without Elliott. Would you personally be different if this passage to Elliott had not opened up for you. Try to imagine, wow, that would be really terrible.

Well, I would probably know a little bit more about what's going on in the world. BE (before Elliott) I used to listen to NPR in the car. Now it's an EY cd. Also, I have met some wonderful people because of Elliott that I never would have met. It's bought a lot of joy to my life that I would have missed. I think we need to have an E convention! LOL

I'm not really sure this answers the question, but, oh well...........

Can you really believe if I said the main music I was exposed to was either the radio (soul music), or watching AI when it was on?? EXCEPT the season Elliott was on, because I was busy spending my extra time not watching TV, but doing a project. THEN, when I heard my radio station talking about Elliott coming to town that day in May, and HEARD him speaking in an interview on the station, I KNEW I was going to go see him downtown to see & hear him yet again, AND THEN, I was 4EVA moved to what I was to be a real honest to God follower for a first time ever!!!
Now, I only listen to Elliott's CD in the car, or whatever my kids choose to listen to like some MJ, Prince, or Lenny Kravitz all favorites!!!
But to answer, how exactly my life has changed?!? Hmmm, things change everday with kids, but personally I now have given them an idol to aspire to!!! Someone who has achieved a great dream beyond his own life challenges!!! I am now dealing with my 6yr old son who's been having seizures, and now has to go on medication for the rest of his life. He used to say when he grows up, he'd like to play football, but now is changing his mind because he says he could hurt his head. Well, his future is a long time coming, and I can only hope as a mom, that he can still live a decent life without fears to hold him back. Now we have in our lives someone like ONE Elliott Yamin!!! When things get tough, play some Elliott music!!! When there are challenges, think of Elliott!!! He is inspiration enough for this family of 3 kids!!!

I believe for me anyway, he "came into my life", so to speak, for a REASON, like with any and everything. There are so many ways that my life has changed. The choices I have made, the friends I have made, the MOVES I have made would NOT have happened if it were not for Elliott. His music, his spirit, his warmth, and even MORE so, those of you I have met here have changed me and made me a better person. I believe the biggest reason that Elliott and his spirit came into my life, was so that I would become a part of the most amazing 2nd family one could ever hope for...YOU GUYS. We all have friends that come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, but I believe that the E-train family has come into my life for all three. To have such a supportive, warm, genuine and loving group of people to lay your problems down to, to laugh with, to enjoy Elliott's well deserved rise from AI to NOW with...

I can't even IMAGINE my life without Elliott, because if it hadn't been for Elliott, I wouldn't be a part of your lives, and you a part of mine. I am grateful to Elliott everyday for the gift of his soul, his heart, his voice, his love, but most of all ....his fans;)

;) :wub: :glomp: :hug: :lotsolove: :etrain:

I'd probably be bored - and feeling old.

Aside from not knowing a great person and voice, who gives hope to anyone that any dream is acheivable - I would not have rediscovered the fun and energy of pop music, I would not have enjoyed so much live music with so many wonderful friends from around the world, I would not have experienced "groupie" status with young bands and musicians at my age, I would not know how to be part of an online community, how to create avatars and siggys, how to right click a picture off the internet and save it, how to understand mediabase, hits daily double, Audience Impression and Call Out results. I would not be on Z-100's rate the music panel. I would not know how to vote on VH1. I would not have found a network of friends that are all examples of Elliott - and would "have my back" no matter what.

Thanks Elliott.

I was in counseling for sadness (some sad things had happened and I wasn't dealing too well with). I'm no longer going, I weighed 40 pounds more than I do now and suffered from migraines and high blood pressure, never of which are any longer a part of my life - worked in a dead end job and went out and found another, better one where I feel like I'm actually making some difference (still no money, but what the heck) - gained a bunch of self confidence which I lacked and now even with my own family I can hold my own - they were just waiting for me to have some spunk so that when I say "no" they know I mean it. Improved my relationship with my husband because when he was cruel or thoughtless, I could come here and talk about my "boyfriend" with you guys - this kinda made him jealous and he has been so much nicer for some reason (appreciates me more) - learned how to use the computer and built a whole new group of people to talk and share with (thus eliminating a counselor) - got really caught up on pop culture and can relate so much better to my 16 year old and reached the gates of heaven listening to the sound of Elliott life-altering voice. Elliott has the most beautiful voice in the history of the world and I been blessed to hear him - I had my mountain-top experience, felt a connection to life and to the human race, and I'm never going back to the person I was before I heard Elliott sing. (Remember, Elliott - don't feel any pressure - even though your voice brought me back to life and you are the "end-all, be-all" of my existence (nervous, giggle-snort). My screen name is definitely not about me because I'm not the same. It is in reference to a quote from Elliott when he was telling a fan that he met in the pharmacy on his home-visit to relax - that he was just the same person he'd always been - yes, I agree, he probably is, but that just means he's always been a miracle among us.

really some beautiful, moving posts here.....

I'm gonna have to think on this one, because it's hard to put into words.

I got carried away and didn't answer my own question. Let me see. I'd probably still be feeling a void somehow that I'd fill with food or tears. The void came from some things in my life that wore away my soul, but as it turns out, not all the way, away. I'd probably be working the same place - I was afraid everyday at work and I was caught up in spending money to please people there (long story). Down deep I'd still not be feeling that my being had any purpose (I know that people rely on me and need me, but still I just wasn't really there) - I'd still be a "nobody". You don't need to be famous or rich to be somebody, but you need to have some kind of grasp of your own existence - I would still be a shadow. In my private moments I'd be cynical and joyless. Now in my private moments I spin and squeal with joy - I cry and laugh and amaze myself with the feelings I have when I listen to Elliott and the thought of him sustains me through all my hours or my day.

I remember years ago telling one of my sons (he was around 26 at that time) that once he had a family and other responsibilities, that his obsession of going to concerts would dwindle. Little did I know that I would come apon a soulful and addicting singer by the name of Elliott Yamin. The first time we saw him, my sister and I could tell that he was somewhat shy. My twin and I were both painfully shy . We noticed that he also had the 2 habits that we also had, smoking and biting our fingernails. (i still smoke, but haven't bit my nails for years). I guess we could just relate to him so easily. And that voice! OMG, he could sing. I have no family responsibilities now after having lost my sister 2 days after Elliott sang "Teach Me Tonight", so now I have plenty of free time to spend on my Elliott obsession. I re-watched his "return to AI" performance of Wait For You and I just cried. I am so proud of him. I will never be a stalker and chase him down like the papparazzi might do, and I am so happy that he has a love in his life, I myself am searching for an "older" Elliott, if there is such a person here on earth. So far, none have been even close, but I'll keep my eye out, but I am too damn old to settle for less that what I want. I wish there is someway that Elliott could be cloned somehow, alot of older Elliott clones to choose from would be nice. (Sorry, drifted away for a second.) Without having Elliott I would never have been introduced to concerts again, to the joy of watching a legend in the making , seeing the world new again through Elliott eyes and attitude, and maybe most of all, All Of You! :etrain:

Linda, Elliott makes me feel old. I don't enjoy knowing that he, his band, the touring bands, the music charts, the myspaces, the radio sites, etc., are all meant for a generation further from the end.

I get a lot of pleasure out of surfing the Elliott sites, and from friends I've made there. However, fortunately I had a pretty good life before Elliott came along and and I'm lucky this Elliott obsession hasn't negatively affected it.

If there were no Elliott, I'd be doing lots, hopefully. But he's a wonderful excuse not do what we all should really be doing!

I am so sorry, I really didn't answer the question What would I be doing if Elliott hadn't of come into my life. Honestly, i hate to imagine. I will try. Let me see, all else being as they are, I would be a very sad, sad individual. Everyone in my family has a partner in their life, I do not. Even though I have lived alone for several years, I never felt lonely, that is, until my twin passed away. No one to call and talk for hours to. I would probably want to just stay in bed all day or eat junkfood for comfort. Maybe even take up drinking heavily to numb the pain. My children are all grown and have young families of their own., perhaps I would have become a clinging and doting grandma to fill the void. possibly interfering in their lives so much and cause all kinds of drama, who knows.? I would not have a "model" of a man to strive to find one like him. So I wouldve settled for a lesser mate, not ever knowing that a man could be so wonderful. Elliott may be small in stature, but he has some damn mighty BIG shoes for any one to try tofill. :worship:

What would I be doing right now? Raising my girls, loving my family & feeling lonely. Feeling 'apart' from the world around me, as tho I was being left behind. My life would be lacking something so amazing & I wouldn't know why or what it was. Actually, it is easier for me to express what I would NOT be doing(or have NOT done) if Elliott had never auditioned for American Idol.

Allow me to count the things I would NOT be doing(or have NOT done)...
1. Feel passionate & affected by an artists voice/personality/soul.
2. Vote a FULL 2 hours on TWO phones for an American Idol contestant.
3. Be a member of an internet fan forum.
4. Have a 'virtual' family that literally became a second family to me. That supports, understands & relates to my passion.... unlike my home family(hubby still thinks I am off my rocker...*sigh*).
5. Chat in an online chat room.
6. I would NOT have a myspace page, much less actually now HOW to utilize it.
7. Be reconnecting with friends AND family I had lost touch with from teenage years.
8. Travel to & visit Richmond, Virigina.
9. Attended the Virginia State Fair.
10. Donate money to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
11. Call a radio station to request an artists' song.
12. Have a conversation with a DJ played on the air for thousands of listeners to hear.
13. Attend a concert & KNOW EVERY WORD TO EVERY SONG.
14. Have a genuine love of TRAINS. Smiling every single time I see one.


Wow. Before starting this reply, I had no idea just how much my life has been affected by Elliott & his fans in aspects I had never realized. Talk about having an "A Wonderful Life" experience.

Thanks for this imthesame...really makes me even MORE appreciative to have Elliott & all of you in my life. The Lord has truly blessed US. :wub:

well, like Linda, I too , really have to think how to put in to words, the profound effect that Elliott has had on my life. My first gut reaction would just be AMAZING!!!!!

Sherwood, I know exactly what you mean about me not being the demographic that this music and all the attending vehicles are directed to - sometimes, when I bother to think about that (and look in the mirror) I feel old too. But it has been a lot of fun, and really interesting to learn more than I ever thought I would know about all this stuff.

The remarkable thing - something I never can get used to - is that these guys seem to feel their music was created for whoever enjoys it, no matter the age - and they seem genuinely delighted to see and chat with us when we are in their presence. It really doesn't seem to matter to them that some of us are older, so who am I to let it matter to me? LOL!

I really wish you had been stateside for some of the shows, so that you could pick up on the energy that brings. Not just from Elliott, but from his band, Josh, The Last Goodnight - all of them. I know I've been really blessed to be there for so many really magical moments, from Elliott's homecoming during AI to his final tour show at the 9:30 club and several in between. It's been a season I never would have lived, and I'm thankful that I did.

Edited to add - One thing is for sure - I can promise you I would never have done a karaoke rendition of Walk This Way on videotape for an Israeli friend I'd never met :-)

Wow, there are lots of things:
I never would've given r&b/soul music a chance. Before I only listened to rock and some pop, and Elliott kind of opened up another genre for me.
I wouldn't be as good at drawing right now, because I was searching for drawings of Elliott on google and found Elliottyael's (I think that's her name here) drawing's on deviantart and joined there.
And I'd probably be more depressed. I know that sounds sad, but Elliott kind of helped me feel more hopeful about things in lots of ways.
And of course I never would've met any of the people here, and you guys are some of the nicest people I know. I just have never said thanks to all those here who've given me advice on things and just been cool to me.

OH. And if it wasn't for Elliott I'd still be a follower of Constantine Maroulis, haha. 8D

LOL! You remember that one, eh? That was great!

Hopefully I'll be able to get to those parts one day and see this fabulous concert phenom for myself!

Estrayastar, your drawings are terrific - I remember you from way back. Constantine is no Elliott, but he is a "doll". I see sweet person in his face even when he's acting silly (acting is the word) and his singing voice is lovely. He might do better if he were less flamboyant. So it's okay to like two people. People seem to jump on me when I say I like Constantine, but remember, I love Elliott. I think people worry about my judgement and all I know is that there's something there that "tickles" me.

Lindagt, I'm so happy to read what you said about the guys reaction to older fans and that they just wanted people (didn't really care who) to love their music. I know, you're right - the sweet souls of the true music people just really want to be heard and appreciated. I've not gotten up close to any of the band members (too shy), but from a distance they seemed truly happy to talk to the fans. I will stop worrying about wanting so much to be a younger, much prettier fan for Elliott - won't happen and he probably doesn't care - he loves his mama, so I guess he could stand to be near me.

I have no idea what i would be doing right now if I had never discovered Elliott. I auppose it's possible I would be living off the winnings of my Publisher's Clearinghouse sweepstakes entry that I would have mailed because I would have had nothing else to do. But I still wouldn't be as happy as I am now.

I'm with Yellin' I had a life (BE), but now that life is much richer. All the friends I've made along the way, the joy of seeing Elliott perform and work his charitable causes, etc. It doesn't get much better.

Thank you Elliott!