I tried to share this last week on the "other" board, but it was quickly buried!

The band that played for E's homecoming is a local band called the Susan Greenbaum band. www.susangreenbaum.com

I got to meet her personally last fall when she came in to do a lecture for the Music Business class I was taking. Let me tell you, she is a FANTASTIC individual. (just like our E!) She and the band actually learned Home for Elliott in his key just for the event!

I wrote her a note via her website (cause I know she reads them all personally!) and I thought y'all might enjoy her response to the email I sent:

To: <susan@susangreenbaum.com>
Subject: "Elliott's band"

Hey Susan!

I wanted to personally thank you for "opening up" for the homecoming event for Elliott. It was so cool that he was able to sing "Home" with your crew backing him! I am hoping this gives you even more national exposure, as more people discover our other Richmond Idol!

Have a great weekend, hope to catch you soon!

__________

Hi, Suzanne!

You are so wonderful! Thank you so much for your email; it was extremely nice of you to say such nice things!

It was really a blast to back up Elliott on his beautiful rendition of “Home,” which seemed like a good choice, given the circumstances. He’s so deserving of all of this success, and I know that he’ll have a very impressive career as a singer, no matter what happens in the contest. But I sure hope he WINS!!

I’ll be voting for him, and so will everyone I know!! Thanks again for your kindness, and all the best to you!

--Susan

You know what, when I heard Elliott sang "Home" for a few seconds in the footage I thought he sounded really good! And the band complemented his singing, unlike some moments in AI. I mean, the band on AI is okay, but most of the time I notice the band is ALWAYS drowning Elliott out, and sometimes his voice is not picked up by the microphone properly, unlike the other contestants.

Yay for the band.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Part of this whole charade is the mic never being at the level to go over the AI band. So many questionable things there. Thanks Susan for doing it RIGHT.