So I am walking the path in Les Sept-Chutes park, in Quebec Province, http://www.septchutes.com, earlier this month along the magnificent Sainte-Anne-du-Nord River with its seven
waterfalls, totally immersed in the beauty of the Canadian mountains and rivers, and,
WHAM, I begin reminescing about the VIP I took my four granddaughters to in Tampa on July 31st—Remi, Reece, Julianne (separate picture) and Allie, ages 4, 6, 11 & 13. Fabulous concert companions–experiencing a David concert through their pure eyes is simply scrumptious–and they are rentable for anyone interested—haha.
I had my perceptions about what the VIP would be like, and, Oh Boy, was I ever WRRRROOOONG!
Perception #1 – There would be a lot of older ladies.
Nope, completely off base on that expectation. Mean age was about 25. Range from 2 – 60. And, there was a 1 in 6 male to female ratio. Yep, I was pretty SuRpRiSeD.
Perception #2 – David would have some introductory remarks.
None, nada, zero. Walks in, sits at his keyboard and begins to tell us he ate too much and probably can’t hit his high notes and worried out loud about that for the first 3 minutes. Classic David!
Julianne is David's #1 11-yr old fan
Perception #3 – I would “enjoy” his acoustic songs.
Nix on enjoyment.
I think in the continuum of human experience when one describes a voice that can give one instant access to that place in one’s brain that is connected to the universe, to the infinite, that the word enjoy just doesn’t cut it.
You know that place I am talking about where you are in the zone, super aware, all senses are functioning at maximum power…and… everything is crystal clear, sharply defined, colors are vivid and crisp…and….time seems to stand still and at the same time seems endless…..and…..you know that you are experiencing something extraordinary?
Yeah, and that place is so dadgum hard to get to on one’s own without massive meditation, prayer and perfect alignment of the sun, moon and stars and even then its chancy…and, so then, WHAM, I am sitting crossed legged on a carpet on a cement floor surrounded by the little loves of my life, 10 feet from David singing and playing his keyboard, and I am transported to that place in my brain that I only get to, and unpredictably at that, by hard work, concentration and a whole lot of serendipitous LUCK!
And, yet, for the mere price of a VIP ticket, I have what is tantamount to a rare life experience. Enjoy, nah, that weak, paltry word doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Perception #4 – I had met David before so this wouldn’t be such a BIG Deal.
Epically WRONG!
Mike K (from Toronto) w/Remi & Reece
I wanted the grand daughters to have front and center attention. I mean after all I have met David and shook his hand and have attended his live concerts. This was a first concert for the 2 little ones and probably a 3rd or 4th concert for the 2 older ones.
Let’s just say “Hello Susan” is permanently seared into my auditory memory. How can a name sound like a song? It did. It was perfect.
And then the concert–little Remi is uber excited about the concert, her first, and, of course, she gets to meet the star and sit in VIP seats. When opening act, Jordan Pruitt, begins to perform, at the most perfect moment when Jordan and her music had paused, Miss Remi’s sweet soprano voice arises out of the audience asking “Where is David Archuleta?” Jordan smiled.
And, my genteel Allie is on the Big Screen at 2.38 – 2.45 singing with such passion to Apologize (surrounded by GUYS standing and singing along). Soulful…you betcha!
Is there a heaven after we die?
Don’t have concrete proof, but, I do have proof positive, tangible evidence, that the Canadian countryside is pure paradise, attending concerts with granddaughters is divine, AND, there is definitely a little slice of heaven to be experienced every time David sings.
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
Kizzi, thank you for this “little slice of heaven”!
Especially, “You know that place I am talking about where you are in the zone, super aware, all senses are functioning at maximum power…and… everything is crystal clear, sharply defined, colors are vivid and crisp…and….time seems to stand still and at the same time seems endless…..and…..you know that you are experiencing something extraordinary?”
That is it, right there! The suspended-in-time bliss of listening to David’s Voice, especially live.
And I love the way you tie it in with your hike through Sept-Chutes (I’ve only driven past it on the way to Quebec City … note to self: stop next time!). Those waterfalls and that Voice … two sublime forces of nature.
I have nothing to add….I just like to say…. I love kizzi 🙂
mmmmm. I’ll be back later… can i say I love kizzi too?
and happy. I love ypu too.
Ooohhh Kizzi, you described the Canadian countryside just right, and I would have to say the same for David…both are PARADISE! You’re granddaughters are so cute.
Hi TOfan and refnaf, I see that the Utah mountains got some snow today. Reminds me of our time in Murray together. (((hugs)))
Love your site!
Sweetonda! {{{hugs & waves}}} I thought the same thing when I saw his tweet … what an amazing time that was!
oh, and I love kizzi too … and happy! And I found another favourite part: “How can a name sound like a song?” A name spoken by any other voice would sound as sweet … not! 😆
sweetonda((((hugs)))). I want to go back to UTAH!!!
I know I will be going back to Utah if he does a Christmas concert there. I just don’t see him coming to AZ. I wish they would put up the tour dates soon.
I’ll be in Nashville the first week of November. I wonder if I might just bump into a little chipmunk at the airport, who will be in the area having some writing sessions. That might be fun! 🙂
Kizzi great article.
Grandkids are grand and make an experience fresh and new. Memories made for sure. Loved the bits at the most perfect moment when Jordan and her music had paused, Miss Remi’s sweet soprano voice arises out of the audience asking “Where is David Archuleta?” Jordan smiled. and my genteel Allie is on the Big Screen at 2.38 – 2.45 singing with such passion to Apologize
David easily transports me to “that special place”.
I just have one question; How on earth does he remember peoples names so well?
Sweetonda, I am anxious for Christmas concert tour dates as well. Salt Lake City sounds like a great place to meet more DA fans.
TOfan – isn’t that the way of it. You never visit the sights near where you live. We only gp to Banff when we have out of town guests. I’ve been to similar falls/chutes near Quebec City, though, and they were phenomenal to see.
Sweetonda, yes, keep your eyes peeled!!
awestruck, ah, Banff, another place I’d love to see!!
Jive’s submissions for Grammy nominations (from Snarkies):
– “A Little Too Not Over You” for Grammy nominations for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. (002)
– “David Archuleta” for Best Pop Vocal Album. (006)
– Best New Artist. (011)
– “A Little Too Not Over You” for Record of the Year. (019)
– “A Little Too Not Over You” for Song of the Year. Awarded to songwriters– David Archuleta, Matthew Gerrard, Mike Krompass & Robbie Nevil. (363)
– “David Archuleta” for Album of the Year. (020)
– “A Little Too Not Over You” for Best Short Film Music Video. (022)
Nominations will be announced on “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” on December 2nd, on CBS at 8 pm ET/PT.
[In case you’re wondering, Crush was eligible last year, that’s why it’s ALTNOY this year.]
I love the “Best Short Film” description for the video … David on the big screen! Now we’re talkin’!!!
good morning! Kizzi you have beautiful grand children. Quebec is my favorite city/province (??) in Canada. thank you!!! We loved everything about it the food, people, ambience & most especially our coffee experience at this grand hotel on top of the hill. My husband & I ordered coffee & a pastry while adoring the view. Omg! the pastry came… it looked so delicious/perfect so we stared @ it for ??? minutes & took pictures before eating. That was one romantic afternoon.
Grammy nominations awesome!!!!
Kizzi, how exciting for you and your grandkids that you were ‘big screened’….an amazing piece of video to have!!… heartwarming watching Allie belt it out!!, just adorable!
omgdja – Quebec City is a city and Quebec is a province. A little confusing sometimes.
morning everyone….Kizzi, love your article. Your description of the place that David takes us when he sings fits perfectly for me, so I thank you. This is the most incredible thing to me, how David’s voice can affect me in such a powerful and positve way. I can never get enough of his voice or the way people can describe it. Your grand daughters are sweet, I envision taking my grand child to a david concert some day!
Awestruck, Banff is gorgeous!
Sweetonda , Utah for Christmas… mmmmmm Awestruck, shall we?? haha
Grammy nominations FTW
awestruck thanks!
hi omgdja… where are you from? Have you seen David in concert?
Awestruck , I have so often wondered how David can remember people, another of his gifts. He always seems so aware of who he is talking to, never distracted.
Refnaf, “He always seems so aware of who he is talking to, never distracted.” So true.
I remember when I spoke to him in Hershey, I was struck by how intently he focused on what I was saying, even with so much noise and activity going on all around.
David doesn’t just hear you, he really listens … more so than some of the people I actually know. lol
Aw, Geez Louise you guys! Thanks for all the love and great comments.
Just a fly by as I am in San Francisco til Sunday and won’t get to be online much – attending a conference and getting to see my baby sister and niece too! A dinner cruise of San Fran Bay is on the agenda tomorrow night and tonight we are doing a Sonoma/Napa wine tasting tour – yes, at night! Should be very interesting.
conditioner – Allie has screen shots of that video – thank goodness someone took it and focused on the big screen. She loves the screen shot where David’s head is fading out and she is fading in (or maybe its the reverse *scratches head*).
Anyway, 3 more VIPS at the end of this month for some of you here!
Canadian Christmas concert FTW – after all you have a lock for the Snow!
renaf – I am from Virginia. Yes, I’ve seen him several times… AI DC concert, VA Beach, Richmond, SLC, PA, & Fairfax with my David BFFs. Was @ VIP in Fairfax. Each time I saw him was special & unable to describe it.
omgdja, you’ve been to some good ones!
kizzi, “Canadian Christmas concert FTW” yesss!
When I saw the latest announcement for the solo show in Waukegan, IL., at Genesee Theatre (Dec. 11, 2009) on Snarkies, I immediately checked to see how far it is from the border, lol.
It’s just north of Chicago so not far at all, guys! Keep those frozen fingers crossed…
OMG omgdja were you in SLC??? I was there too and I seemed to have missed meeting many fans while I was there. Only time I have seen DA live. If he does a Christmas concert there or one further north on the west coast I will do my darndest to go. And I am sure I will die a SLOW death listening to him sing Christmas
songs.
cool omgdja…. I was in SLC too, with TOfan, and met awestruck and sweetonda and many others…a repeat for Christmas would do me good. aaaaahhhhh the snippets are making me crazy.
Ref, I’m hanging tough and resisting the Call of the Snippets, lol.
But I just did my Christmas shopping on amazon.ca 🙂 and they don’t seem to have a limit on number of CDs. There’s only one review there so far, but I can’t add mine until 24 hours after purchase.
Did you hear, Ricky Archuleta also just got his wisdom teeth out! What are the odds?
no snippets for me, no snippets for me, no snippets for me… can I hold out?
Yes refnaf I would LOVE to get together again with you and TOfan and meet new fans in SLC.
I knew some of you were going to SLC & hoping to meet some of you. Unfortunately, didn’t happen. Enjoyed reading all your posts about the it. I will always consider SLC the best concert ever been to. Just like David, imo, it was the whole package… people, food, mountains covered w/snow, being stranded on the plane in Denver for 3 hours & meeting a lot of DA fans.
I’ve never experience anything like that in my whole life… the little in girl came to life… I am 54 yr old mom.
I have not posted regularly anywhere before just a lurker. I realized last night that this place is stress free for me that’s why I started posting. Also, am not a good writer like all of you but not intimidated at all. Just very glad to have found this place just like I found David….
{{{omgdja}}} you write just fine! Welcome!! Stress is highly overrated, imo 😉
SLC was so special for me too. It took Refnaf and I a full day pretty much to get there from Toronto, but boy was it worth it! You’re right it was the whole package — the glorious setting, meeting so many amazing people, topped off with David singing. What a dream.
FYI, Christmas From the Heart is also now available for pre-order at Chapters/Indigo (C$17.99).