Here to wish everyone reading this a safe, peaceful holiday season. I was blessed to be able to attend the Tuacahn Christmas shows this year and, as a last-minute decision, the Texas shows. I regret nothing, lol.

In every show, David mentioned how tough it was for him to move ahead with this tour but that Kari and his team suggested he use it as an opportunity to share more about his journey over the past year and a half and that’s exactly what he did. * ALL THE PRAISE HANDS!!!*

I am thrilled to report that his voice has never sounded better and I’ve never heard him express so sincerely and so frequently how much he appreciates fan support. In the Austin show, he must’ve mentioned that about 4 or 5 times. He said that when you undergo a big life transformation, you never know who’s going to stick with you and he really appreciated everyone coming. *verklempt*

I got to ask him about songwriting here in Toronto (wooohoooo!!!)… and that I’m so happy he got to write with Barbra Lica, an amazing songwriter and jazz vocalist I’ve been a huge fan of for years! He said he LOVES the song they wrote together. I might’ve passed out at that point.

DEFINITELY check out her music. Here’s a recent track that I love called The Ghost of Me.

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During the Austin show, he shared that he got to visit the public skating rink at Nathan Phillips Square and the historical Distillery District while he was here, along with some Christmas markets… “Christmas markets are big in Toronto” hahahaha

The new music is going to be upbeat and reflect this new phase of his life, where he’s learning to love his whole self… how awesome is that?!?

Also at the Austin show, a sign-language interpreter signed the songs, which was beautiful to watch.

My favourite thing about these shows was the love these crowds showed to David… so much cheering, shout-outs of affirmations and “I LOVE YOU!!” “I LOVE YOU MORE!!!”s … he said in Houston that he felt the love and was soaking it in and that made me so happy!!

The venues were super cool, the crowds diverse, and lots of great voices in Texas, especially, lol. In Austin, after singing The Prayer, David said he heard one person singing the Celine Dion harmony part & they were really good! Then later, so many people were calling out Crush (and laughing) that in the encore, he played Crush on the keyboard and let the crowd sing most of it… SO MUCH FUN!!! He said he’d never had it sung TO him before, lol.

The lovely Refnaf captured it on video (along with MLP intro & song):

@refnaf

#davidarchuleta #crush #mylittleprayer #christmas #austin #texas #loveislove ❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️

♬ original sound – refnaf

David poured his heart out in the intro to MLP but these crowds were SO with him and called out messages of love, pride and encouragement. It was truly beautiful to see. I can only imagine how much healing, validation and support was felt by so many there.

The Austin & Houston crowds also surprised him by singing Happy Birthday. And when he mentioned his birthday was coming up, he said, “I’ll be *pause* another year older” … but the guy beside me yelled out, “You’ll be 13!” hahaha

The Austin and Houston venues were very cool, intimate, GA spaces and David didn’t have his audio visual screens for the Texas shows — and also no band — and I actually loved seeing David command the stage solo … it really showcased his storytelling, comic timing and, of course, THAT VOICE!

And his freedom of movement onstage is incredible! He practically cartwheeled across the stage during Magic, and every salsa move or jump got huge cheers and applause! I’m glad I got the chance to see his mom, Lupe, join him for Feliz Navidad in Tuacahn… they are so fun together and their voices blend beautifully.

In Texas, it was cool to talk to relatively new fans (one who discovered him in 2019 after casually listening to a Christmas playlist and HAD to find out who was behind that amazing voice… “now I’m obsessed” she said, lol … she & her husband ended up driving 7 hours to see the Arlington show!)… another couple beside me in Houston said that one of them was a fan but his boyfriend didn’t really know David but he clapped & cheered throughout the show. At the end, I wanted to ask what he thought but he was overcome with emotion and telling his bf how much he loved it and they were hugging and having a moment, so that answered my question, lol.

In Arlington, we chatted with someone from San Antonio who had never seen David live and he was super excited for the show. He said he loves Faith in Me but I had to break the news that it probably wouldn’t be part of the Christmas show, lol.

Another highlight was hearing David sing Como La Flor a cappella… I don’t know anyone who could sound that amazing with no accompaniment… except the crowd, of course, who were totally into it and song along!!

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A post shared by Deb Smyth (@debz416)

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A post shared by Deb Smyth (@debz416)

@debz416

#DavidArchuleta @davidarchie #Austin #Texas #Christmas #ChristmasMusic #AmyGrant #MyGrownUpChristmasList @amygrantmusic

♬ original sound – Deb 🇨🇦

Sorry this is so disjointed… if I remember anything else, I’ll put it in the comments. My actual family Christmas was very low key because of family members being ill, absent, the snow storm, etc., these shows were my Christmas wish. Topped off literally running through the Denver airport to catch our connecting flight home to beat the big snow storm. An absolute Christmas miracle!!!

So a big group hug to everyone reading this!! And Happy Birthday to David!!! I’ve never felt prouder or more grateful for him… as Paula once said, what a gem. ❤ ❤ ❤

p.s.

Show review & awesome pics from Atlas Artists Group HERE.

MUST WATCH interview with Houston Life HERE. (Def. watch to the end, love how he talks about his fans… that’s US! (*sobs*)

p.p.s.

How awesome is this!!! And he sounds even better live… ‘natch.