Well this is it folks - graduation day for the AI5 Idols. I am pretty envious of those of you who will be at tonight's concert and the graduation party with LMBO afterward. I'm sure there will be great stories to tell!

Starting tomorrow our guy is on his own. Tonight is a great time to look back at how far Elliott has come in one short year...can you even believe it? We thought he had arrived on AI5 finale night, but look how much more Elliott has developed as an artist and performer just over the past three months. He's a quick study. Just imagine what is yet to come!

Maybe tomorrow :P or at least very soon now we can hear whatever amazing record deal Elliott has signed. I have no doubt is is going to be REALLY impressive - how could it not be - Elliott has been really impressive.

So tonight I feel kind of sad - but also kind of joyous for what is to come .
One thing I can say for the ETrain - it has ALWAYS been focused more on E than on American Idol, so the transition to becoming the core fan base for Elliott Yamin into the future will not be a hard one for us. I think just about all of us are here for the duration.

:cheers:

I'm definitely feeling a little sad today. 8 months ago I never would have anticipated getting so involved with this show, and eventually this wonderful fanbase. I am a Clay Aiken fan and I saw Season 2's top 10 in concert, but I did not join any message boards or follow the tour stories like I have with this season.

It was all because of Elliott and his amazing voice. Every week I grew to love him more and more, and the thought of him getting voted off was gut-wrenching. Season 5 was an emotional roller coaster but I wouldn't trade one minute of it. It brought me here to the E-Train where I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful Elliott's fans are, and it makes me proud to be part of it all.

So today is bittersweet, as I'm sure it is for all of the Idols. I wish all of them nothing but the best in the future. I look forward to seeing where the journey will take Elliott and the E-Train next.

:etrain: :grouphug:

Wow emjay, beautifully put! I give your post a big ole RM AMEN!!! :glomp:

I don't wish Kat the best. Taylor too, but just a little bit.

You have all said exactly what I feel too!!
I know I couldn't have said it any better :eisfree:
:grouphug:
tofu

FOR ME TONIGHT IS VERY EMOTIONAL. I WOULD HAVE NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS THOUGHT I WOULD BE DOING ALL THIS OVER AI. I WENT TO 2 CONCERTS. FLEW IN A PLANE TO ONE OF THEM. GOT TO THE BUSES LIKE 5 HOURS EARLY, IN HOPES OF SEEING ELLIOTT. HAD 2 MEET & GREETS AND 1 AFTER SHOW. I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME, BUT IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF ELLIOTT. IT IS THE END OF THE MOST AMAZING SEASON AI HAS AND WILL EVER SEE AND THE BEGINING OF WHAT I HOPE IS THE MOST AMAZING SINGING CAREER FOR ELLIOTT. I WILL NEVER HAVE ENOUGH OF HIM. MAY HE SHINE BRIGHT FOR MANY MANY YEARS. HE HAS TAKEN ME TO A PLACE I HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE. :wub: :etrain: 4LIFE

I definitely consider this a special day. Haven't had a chance to read what everybody wrote as I'm at work and have to cut it out now, but I'm sure I agree with what everybody is saying here.

Cheerio Elliott, can't wait to hear from you in the future!

Nostalgic? I'm feeling depressed!! :(

I'll get over it - but it really is a bittersweet feeling knowing that it's over.

Actually, it's only the beginning for the Idols and only now can Elliott get on with his new career. So I guess I should be feeling happy. I never thought I'd go so crazy about something like American Idol. It took me by surprise and I'll never forget this year. I wish all of them the very best in their post-Idol careers.

Here's to Elliott and to a hugely successful career in the industry!