Ode to Joy

Fondest D’Arch memories of 2017? Here we go. 🙂

Red Bluff, CA:

David waiting patiently on bended knee with his hand outstretched waiting for a precious girl to grab it during his after-encore run across the stage. ‘Twas a magical moment that left the dad and grandma and my travel buddy in tears. It’s the pay off for being a 10yr fan.

Waiting in line I met folks that had waited 9 years to see D live. Their joy is my joy. I knew what they were in for.

Watching them experience a David show the first time is beyond my vocabulary. And when you share with them that he might later meet them at the bus, well then there’s that too.

Grants Pass:

I was able to trade my front row seat for a fifth row center. The young teen who was the trade beneficiary was in tears the entire show and then well into the night after she met David at the bus after the show.

She said David inspired her to go on a mission. We talked to her mom and after the show she said, “Now I get why you go to multiple shows.” 🙂

The mom wanted to know if he had non-LDS fans. YES HE DOES.

P.S. During the entire show she was communicating with a very jealous daughter in Japan on a charity mission.

Sacramento, CA:

VIP time. I was able to ask David if the band could do longer solos during the introductions. You’re welcome.

EDIT: Janey is much too modest… here is just a sample of what that little VIP question resulted in … watch till the end to catch his little scoot across the stage before his big finish 🙂 🙂 🙂 :

Kamas, UT:

Had a super fun time with Provo friend and running into Dick Van Dyke and terrific risotto for dinner in Park City. David killed it onstage that night. Happy Birthdaaay to meeeee.

Postcards in the Sky release:

I couldn’t believe my ears at the first run through. Postcards is an album David will always be proud of.

I am so grateful he is finally living and working his truth.

Can I just say how glad I am he decided to put Upset with Me on it? It is what grounds all the other songs and gives them context. It is his bravest and most meaningful song to date, imhbco.

Knuckleheads!

I think it was Tina who convinced me to go. She posted something like how many opportunities will you get to see David in a biker bar? I am sooo glad I made the effort.

It was a GA venue and those who wanted to move were down in front and those who wanted to sit it out were doing just that in back.

After a bit when it was obvs those in back were content to just listen, he played mostly (if not all) to us up front. It was a spectacular show with amazing sound. Thanks to Pastel for asking for Aiming for Hope during the VIP. It is my most played PiTS song.

We were also lucky enough to get to the venue early and heard sound check behind the garage wall. It was truly incredible to here David sing Forevermore.

During VIP I asked David if he would ever do a sacred show for the public (I know he does them for his church at Easter). He replied he didn’t think there was a demand for it but a few others at the VIP tried to convince him otherwise. He also said the Christmas shows are more sacred and while that is true, those shows don’t give us a chance to hear I Know He Lives, Come thou Font, He Showed Me How and many others.

EDIT: I Know He Lives was definitely one of my 2017 highlights. Let’s listen, shall we? 🙂

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Nashville!!!

If ever there was a perfect David show, this was it – spectacular in every way!

Friends, fans, food, perfect weather, and the band were incredible.

I sat behind the songwriters and producers and watched them watch David (and they took videos) and he was on fire.

At some point late in the show while the crowd was going wild, I grabbed Cason and Jeremy and with my arms around each one I exclaimed, “Thank you for always believing in him, these songs mean the world to the fans!”

They looked at each other and heaven only knows what they were thinking, but if their smiles were any indication, I think they were ok with the one armed hugs.

I met the gal who bought the last ticket available and she was there alone. She saw that the OS said “sold out” but then went to the venue site and saw one ticket left and bought it!

She waited 9 years to see him. I love folks like that. They can’t hide their love for him.

After the show, she tweeted, me, “I love him! I am definitely going to be at his next show in town! He was amazing. It was so nice meeting you all!”

And any show that starts with a standing O is one for the books. I watched the producers look around at the pre-show standing O with a bit of confusion but within moments they were on their feet too.

If y’all haven’t seen David’s thank you before the encore I suggest you make time to watch it. Everything I ever wanted to hear from him he said in those few moments.

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EDIT: Selfishly adding this Say Me from Nashville because there was just something special about it that night.

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Abravanel Hall:

I was there for the announcement and it felt good to be there upon his “return”.

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It was a terrific show with the co-writer of Nunca Pense on stage during that song. Talk about dance “moves”. Ohhh Lordy. Bless the fandom if he ever truly unleashes the Latino in him.

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2017 was a terrific year to be a fan. Nothing says thank you to the fans like new music and multiple tours. Nothing. Bring it 2018! I’m ready for ya.

Honorable mentions:

Nandito Ako live from the Philippines, “puppy love” (thanks for the perfect term Tina), late night Kari-oke from the road, FB live with 4 divine acoustic songs, any and all Bridge Over Troubled Waters from TOFW and a superb Oh Holy Night from Calgary.

~ Janey

*Final EDIT: There may be more than 10, math is not my strong suit. 🙂
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P.S.

What’s your all-time favorite song? 10 musicians who visited #SLC in 2017 named their faves to @sltrib.@DavidArchie @Huey_Lewis_News @AlisonKrauss @TheOfficialA7X @ladyantebellum @AndrewWK @fosterthepeople @royalblooduk @Epicahttps://t.co/em30TdQJly

— Eric Walden (@esotericwalden) January 11, 2018

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