The phone rang and I paused the People.com video at this spot. When I hung up the phone and looked at the screen, I was struck by the starkly different expressions of Rick Springfield and David Archuleta, the two subjects of People Magazine’s 35th anniversary “Rick vs. David: Teen Idol Mania” photo shoot.
Rick — a 1980s pop-rocker best-known for the hit “Jessie’s Girl” — is now 60 years old, believe it or not. He’s leaning against the wall, eyes closed, wearing a serene smile, as if reliving the glory days of his teen-idol youth.
David, 18, a teen-idol rookie, giggles and plays along as though his sisters have surprised him with a tickle-fest attack.
"Awesomeage!"
An interesting choice of subjects by People magazine. They could have picked the more obvious JoBros or Zac whatshisname for the young heartthrob. And could have gone with Donny Osmond or, gasp, Corey Haim, for the senior statesman.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I seem to remember Aussie Rick as more of a grown-up’s poster boy, one with an edge. We know of course that David’s talent is too significant for him to be thought of as merely a “teen idol” for long. But it looks as though he’s having fun with it for now. (Possibly the very advice Rick passed along to him.)
Being a devotee of David Archuleta and his music is a continuum of moments crafted together into a beautiful mosaic. These moments can be fleeting — receiving a good laugh from a David tweet — or a more extended pleasure — like playing “Contigo en la Distancia” on replay all afternoon or sharing a concert experience with your friends who “get it.”
For many, attending one of David’s concerts has become a homecoming of sorts, one where you reunite with friends and acquaintances with whom you have shared past David moments. But that wasn’t always the case.
Back in the summer of 2008, for example, when David with touring with A.I. — I was heading back to Pittsburgh, my home town, for a visit at the same time David would be performing (I’ll let you decide it if was coincidental or not). I decided that I was going to the concert and so was my brother … problem is, he didn’t know it yet! So the conversation went something like this:
Brother: We’re looking forward to seeing you when you come to town!
Me: Me too … we’ll have a great time! Hey guess what?!?! I’ve made some plans for us!
Brother: You have? What?
Me: I purchased tickets to go to the Idol concert!
Brother: ………..
Me: mmm….are you there?
Brother: Ah … yeah…
Me: Oh come on … we’ll have a great time.
Brother: Why do you want to go?
Me: Well really there is only one reason … there is this guy and he is amazing … and really you have to hear him sing … trust me you won’t be disappointed.
Brother: OK …
Truth be told, I was counting on the great people of my hometown to show everybody that the Idol results were wrong … that the wrong David won. I wanted to be in that audience and have the entire crowd show David the love and appreciation of his talent in no uncertain terms. I wanted a Sacramento, a Salt Lake City, a Toronto.
I wanted a moment. But, it didn’t happen. Oh sure the crowd showed David a lot of love and support, but the response should have been a sustained deafening cheer…and it wasn’t. I was disappointed in them … in us. On the positive side, my brother was significantly impressed with David and his talent…in fact I heard a loud “wow” during SBM.
You own what??
We Own What?!
Fast forward to this year, while we were trying to comprehend how David was going to be an opening act when we knew he should be the only act. My friend Lorna called and we bought tickets for four of us to see David on July 28 at the Delaware Fair. We soon discovered, however, we were the proud owners of four tickets to a Demi-only concert …. WHAT??
My befuddlement quickly turned to happiness, though, when that Delaware cancellation morphed into a David solo concert in Pittsburgh — Yea! The other fair cancellations had turned into David solo shows in the same town but for some reason this fair replacement date was booked in Pittsburgh not Delaware. A second-chance for my hometown to welcome David with open arms.
July 28 at 8:00 Sharp!
And so the stage was set. We took our seats in the sold out, beautiful, historic concert hall and there was a special feeling in the air. You could tell that everyone there was beyond excited to hear David perform — solo — the anticipation of his appearance was palpable.
The crowd started chanting David…David…David. The band took their place and the heart beat drum started Boom-Boom… Boom-Boom…Boom-Boom…
David appeared and the crowd roared. ROARED! We had seats but we did not sit. Almost everyone stood for the entire show. It was great knowing that David didn’t have to rush his set so the next act could appear. He knew we were there for him and only him. He commented how much he enjoyed playing for a smaller crowd.
We know the songs, we know his dance moves but it doesn’t matter; you can see David 100 times in concert and each time is like the first. He was on fire. In fact David, the perfectionist, was so at home with the Pittsburgh crowd that he delivered the now famous “Bubbly,” which he stumbled upon earlier in the day practicing with Kendra. As has been testified by others and witnessed through the videos…David was amazing that night.
His set built to a crescendo. Listen to the cheering and chanting of David’s name between the end of his set and the encore (3:41): magnify it tenfold…it was spine tingling.
Credit: SnarkyMawg
The crowd showed him such love, respect and appreciation for who he is as a person and an artist. The look on his face at the end of his encore said it all…he felt the love. See it all unfold with the following screen caps:
The last song of the night, “Angels”:
Notice the look on David’s face as he finishes the song and lifts his fingers from the keyboard.
He left everything on the stage that night. After he removed his hands from the keyboard; you couldn’t help but notice the look of emotion and exhaustion.
David then bid us farewell, told us that he loved us and asked us to drive home safely.
Credit: MsLemonade08
As he got up to leave the stage, David took a bow then gently placed his hand on his heart.
I was so proud of my home town that night. I finally had my moment.
Ethereal Connections
There has been much debate over how some people don’t get David. We are amazed that we see such unbelievable talent and are so touched by his music and the thought of someone not getting him is incomprehensible.
It could be argued that as David is destined to share his music that we are destined to receive it. There are so many stories and experiences to support this concept. After all how do you explain Pittsburgh? On July 28 at 8:00 in the city of Pittsburgh, David delivered an unbelievable moment. And as I left the concert hall that night I looked to the sky and smiled.
Two years earlier, in the city of Pittsburgh, on July 28 at exactly 8:00 my father passed away. David soothed my soul that night.
I have come to appreciate how focused David Archuleta is in his intent, be it how he sings a song, or his efforts in the recording studio. Never, in my mind, is this focus more evident than when David improvises.
It never ceases to amaze me that, even when he sings a song he’s sung many times before, he can find a way to add some new riffs, runs and notes, and it becomes a song reborn.
Take his latest TBWY, for instance (see below). The first three minutes are pretty much what we have heard in the past, though extremely heartfelt. After that, David takes it away – check it out at 2:56, 3:17-3:32, 3:48, 4:28-4:32, and 4:38 to end. Oh, the ending!
What blows my socks off with awe and wonder, however — and reminds me of the impact David had on me when I first heard him sing Shop Around (hence my screen name) — are his improvisational skills when giving an impromptu performance.
Think back to when he attended the REO Speedwagon concert and jammed with them onstage. Did he not wail on it?! No fear at 0:16 when he takes over the mic! And most recently, at the Murray concert of Brooke White, Benton Paul and Michael Johns, joining in on Let It Be and Proud Mary. With these two songs, his “inner soul-man” burst out. I love his total lack of inhibition with both REO and on Let It Be.
Curiously, I wonder why this happens. How he’s able to feel so free? Because he’s only doing one or two songs? Is it less stressful, pressured, because it is not his own show, allowing him to feel more relaxed? Since there’s no time to over-analyze, do his musical instincts take over more than usual? Or is it because his album songs were penned to be sung as pop songs – with not as much R&B influence – and he has that in mind when he performs them, but not so the songs he sings for his spur-of-the-moment appearances?
No matter, David sings through his very soul and I’ll take it anyway he hands it out.
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.
Just when you thought things were awfully quiet in ArchuWorld, David hits us with a hat-trick. Where to begin? TBWY on a grand piano? Christmas song snippets? Stretchy cheeks?
Tell us, when confronted with such a buffet of ArchuGoodies, which did you check out first?
1. Vlog, perhaps?
So today is the day that my wisdom teeth will be getting pulled out. Oh joy. It’s an exciting time guys lol. But I’ve been enjoying running this week and getting some exercise in! Today might be my last day of running for a while though since idk how long I’ll need to recover… But I’m just anxious to get this all over with!
[Love that his tags specify “wisdom teeth pulled” … you know, as opposed to “wisdom teeth implanted” … and viewer warning at 1:40ish, the intensity of his Freddy Kreuger “CRAVE!”could frighten small children and pets]
U2 360 Tour with CN Tower backdrop (Photo: Peter Power, Globe and Mail)
I’ve been to a lot of concerts over the years. Many I’d thought were big deals at the time. The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Elvis Costello, CSNY, Van Morrison … David Archuleta. But nothing really prepared me for the extravaganza, the event, the happening I attended last week – U2’s 360 Tour – the first of two sold-out shows at Toronto’s Rogers Centre.
Everything about the concert was SUPERSIZED — from the $40-million, 90-foot tall SET to the blast-you-from-your-seat SOUND to the star-filled SKY (the dome was open for only the second concert in its history). Even the PHILANTHROPY was extra-large (Desmond Tutu sent a video address, as did an astronaut on the International Space Station).
But although the music was grand and the spectacle grander, I found myself getting distracted. I couldn’t help but wonder, “Will David’s concerts get this big? Do I want them to? Does he?”
In fact, I looked down – waaaay down – at the mosh pit, longingly. Yes, friends, I had mosh envy – flashbacks to the squished, sweaty pleasure of standing mere feet from David’s feet, connecting with those green eyes as he sings, dancing and celebrating with the other moshers (moshees?), singing when told to “SING IT!,” doing the ZG bounce and sharing the “joyful sound” that Bono mentioned during this show.
But then came “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”….
Opened by a drum beat alone, all 62,000 of us sang the entire first verse on our own. And unlike other concert sing-alongs I’ve been part of – every word was clear as a bell – and sounded fantastic. We were in perfect harmony. It felt magical, intimate.
Especially when Bono joined in, finished off the verse, then segued into Stand By Me. Then he stopped, pulled out his earbuds, stood back and listened to us all sing. Chills, baby, chills. (You can check it out in the youTube below.)
Of course, for me (and surely many of you), SBM is now David’s song. So when I found myself belting out “David’s song” with Bono (and, um, 62,000 others), that mega-stadium shrunk down to Crocodile Rock size and I felt connected to the music, the moment and every other person there.
Hands-down, my favourite part of the concert – and one I could see happening at a future show of David’s – even a supersized one.
With career prospects as rose-tinted as Bono’s glasses, David is destined to command similar arena-sized crowds in future. For extremely selfish reasons, however, part of me is happy that … for now … David is the best kept secret in pop music … mosh pit, here I come!
Christmas From the Heart, Available October 13, 2009. Pre-order on Amazon.ca here.
Breaking news:
After picking up their double-doubles*, Canadians are stampeding to Amazon.ca to pre-order copies of David Archuleta’s CD Christmas From the Heart, currently ranked 26 on their Top 100 list! (Bet Conrad Black himself could be listed in the credits and it would still sell like hotcakes!)
*A Tim Hortons coffee with double cream/double sugar.
It is interesting to watch the media — and fan — reaction following David Archuleta’s performance of “Contigo en la Distancia” on last Friday’s telecast of the ALMA Awards.
Everything from mainstream websites and publications to Latino media outlets to celebrity gossip sites to Top 40 blogs are buzzing with glowing reviews of David’s performance. And on top of all that are the comments from everyone from teens/tweens to people reconnecting with David’s music since A.I. and new “converts.”
The blogosphere The mainstream blogs were really awed by David when he first sang “Imagine.” Yes, they have since reported on his activities (the Idol-related ones to be sure), but with his performance at the ALMAs, I detected a new tone in their blogging.A “let’s start taking this guy seriously” tone. And new blogs have joined in as well. This is despite the fact that Jive’s promotion to mainstream pop fans has been relatively quiet to say the least.
Fan fare And speaking of pop fans, they have perhaps been the most vocal. There are the new arrivals (many of whom post comments like “When did he grow up?”) and the returnees (with comments like “Thank God. I loved Archie during his season but have hated everything he’s done since. This reaffirms my faith in his talent again. Loved it.”).
And longtime fans — like ggdoorsfan, who asks: “How exactly do you market a 17/18, fresh faced, youthful appearing, big voiced singer with so much musical versatility, and appeal, across so many diverse demographics, and do it in a way that is critically and commercially viable?”
Jive talkin’ That last question is a relevant one as record companies today seem to stream their signed talent into one genre and one genre only.It poses a conundrum to say the least.
I think critically David will have no problem. His musical genius will speak – has spoken – for itself. Commercially he can certainly satisfy all genres by recording pop, Christmas, Latin, as well as David’s own unique style, which will evolve and change over time… Jive, can you keep up? Can you alter the way you do business to accommodate someone as versatile as David Archuleta?
Maybe they have begun to. Let’s start with Disney. Perhaps Jive found a clever way to appeal to the Disney crowd – touring with Demi Lovato, promotion for Disneyworld’s A.I. Experience, airplay on Radio Disney – without David actually having to BE a Disney performer.
It was encouraging that Jive tweeted about David’s ALMA performance (not so encouraging that fans had to prompt them to do so). Perhaps an indicator at just how influential that performance could end up being in the long run.
The Latino community We all know that David hit this performance out of the park. And doing so – and singing in Spanish, to boot – could very well have a huge, far-reaching impact on his career.
Watching the ALMAs, it was apparent to me how strongly the Latino entertainment community in America supports and acknowledges their talented entertainers.The venue was filled with the bright lights of that community. Salma Hayek, for example, is a powerful producer as well as actor – and she reportedly leapt to her feet at the conclusion of David’s performance. The live audience’s reactionleft no doubt that doors will open for David as a result of this event. Doors to opportunities where he will be able to have an impact on all ages in the Latin community and beyond.
P.S. Christmas From the Heart Update: After being available for pre-order for a mere 48 hours on Amazon.ca, Christmas From the Heart has leapt to #9 on Amazon.ca’s Top 100 list. Broke the Top 10 … woot!
I have received numerous emails about David Archuleta’s outstanding and inspiring performance of “Contigo En La Distancia” (With You While You Are Away) at the 2009 ALMA Awards.
Let me just say that, if you have not seen or heard David’s Spanish number, you are in for a very memorable musical treat. David’s artistry continues to enfold and soars to remarkable heights during the performance of this song.
Oftentimes, the refinement of his technical skills astounds me – he never veers from the proper technical approach in his singing style. Yet, at the same time, his voice sounds fluid, relaxed, liberated and soulful.
His Spanish pronunciation is exquisite and meaningful. He feels every word, every nuance and, thus, is the key to David Archuleta’s musical gifts. He is a vocal narrator of the highest order and makes absolutely certain that his musical heart and passion reaches the centre of our soul.
And, did you notice the depth of his lower range at the beginning of the main section of the song, as he sang the words “No hay bella melodia”? The rich timbre of his baritone voice has definitely increased in volume – just gorgeous. This will continue to grow and flourish with each passing year.
In closing, the strong visual and aural presentation of this song was extraordinary.
And MCL continues …
Good morning all and thanks for (1) your wonderful comments and (2) for supporting a talent as incredible and singular as David Archuleta. He deserves global recognition and all of this and more will increase with time and continuous fan support.
Just a quick answer to FG who stated
Would you answer a two-part question for me? How rare is it, at age 18, to have such proper technique? Would you say that, based upon what we have seen thus far from David, that he is vocally as brilliant as, or will be, the male ‘greats’ such as Nat King Cole, Jonny Mathis, etc?
It is very rare indeed to hear an 18-year-old MALE singer who possesses such a strong technical hold on his vocal delivery. Yet, it is even more rare to hear someone so young who sings with such depth and maturity. David is truly special and his talent, as I have said so often, is extraordinary. He is a vocal prodigy.
I feel that David will, over the course of time, be remembered as “one of the greatest pop singers” of the 21st century.
P.S. Our emails to Amazon.camust have paid off! Canadians who’d like to pre-order David Archuleta’s “Christmas From the Heart” CD, can do so here.
The CD has only been available for pre-order on Amazon.ca for 24 hours and it’s already shot up to #22 on the Top 100 list!
Romance is the expression of love with words or deeds.
Romance refers to a feeling of excitement associated with any and all forms of love. It implies an expression of one’s love, or one’s deep emotional desire to connect. There are many realities in our human experience that can only be fully lived through the expression of romance.
“Love Me Tender” was the first romantic love song David Archuleta performed on the “big stage.” It was largely overlooked due to the stampede of the media and public alike chasing and reacting to unfortunate rumours spearheaded by TMZ.
“Love Me Tender” was an extraordinary performance — acoustic, subtle, tender and romantic. Those few who did review the performance before the rumours consumed all news about David, in general, had a hard time accepting the legitimacy of an amazing performance of a romantic love song from a shy, self-described “awkward” 17-year-old.
And, certainly, since then David has rendered beautiful songs about love — such as “When You Say You Love Me,” “To Be With You” and “You Can,” among others — that have conveyed a level of emotion, feeling and intuition seemingly beyond his years.
Fast forward 17 months. With his recent performance of “Contigo en la Distancia” at the ALMA Awards, David Archuleta demonstrated to everyone the depth and breadth of his talent to sing a soul-searing love ballad.
Romantic and intimate, it overflows with universal love and connects to the world at large. There has been no problem accepting this tender and passionate performance this time. It ticked all the boxes.
Interesting enough, when Tom O’Neil* blogged last year in his “Gold Derby” column for the Los Angeles Times awards siteTheEnvelope.com about male singers and Grammy winners, he made this purposeful comparison to David Archuleta:
“Consider some of the multiple winners of the Grammy Award for best pop male vocals. These guys are real heart breakers — men not afraid to weep when they sing and mean it: John Mayer, Elton John, Michael Bolton, Justin Timberlake, Frank Sinatra and Jack Jones over the years, to name just a few…
“Hit, surviving male music stars are unabashed, unapologetic romantic singers — they surrender utterly to a song’s schmaltzy message. That’s how they make an extraordinary connection with fans that endures for years. When sexy dudes are too cool for the room, they flop after brief flashes of stardom.
“In his future career, you (will) see David Archuleta surrendering to extreme romanticism.”
Tom O’Neill is right except, I believe, for the words “schmaltzy” and “surrender.” David Archuleta doesn’t do schmaltzy, and surrender is not in his repertoire. In fact, he will likely re-write the book on romantic music.
Witness:
____________________
*O’Neil is the author of “Movie Awards, The Emmys and The Grammys.” In 1999, he launched GoldDerby.com, a website devoted to predicting all major show awards: Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes and Tonys. It was acquired by the Los Angeles Times in November 2005.
The phone rang and I paused the People.com video at this spot. When I hung up the phone and looked at the screen, I was struck by the starkly different expressions of Rick Springfield and David Archuleta, the two subjects of People Magazine’s 35th anniversary “Rick vs. David: Teen Idol Mania” photo shoot.
July 28 at 8:00 Sharp!
The last song of the night, 
waterfalls, totally immersed in the beauty of the Canadian mountains and rivers, and,
2. Christmas CD spoilers?
Christmas From the Heart, Available October 13, 2009. Pre-order on Amazon.ca 
El Heraldo
Top 40 Blog
Perez Hilton
P.S. Christmas From the Heart Update: After being available for pre-order for a mere 48 hours on 
P.S. Our emails to 
Romance is the expression of love with words or deeds.
demonstrated to everyone the depth and breadth of his talent to sing a soul-searing love ballad.
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 