@DavidArchie: “A true fan of the fans”

I apologize to one and all for being M.I.A. Just got home (well, work) after four aMAZing days and nights and will fill you in on highlights forthwith (withforth?).

In the meantime, love this interview (done in Hong Kong, judging by the groovy bubble chair) … especially what David says about his fans. A sentiment he’s repeated multiple times in these first four MKOC Tour shows. *sniff*

Leon Lee has a chat with the remarkably down-to-earth pop idol David Archuleta.
By Leon Lee

On the night of May 21, 2008, America was perched on the edge of its seat as it waited for the next American Idol to be announced. Would it be the hard-rocking David Cook or the 16-year-old crooner David Archuleta? Most predicted Archuleta would triumph, so Ryan Seacrest reading out Cook’s name came as something of a shock. But far from being disappointed, Archuleta was thrilled just to be in the finale in the first place.

“I like … experiences that exceed my expectations or other people’s expectations. One of them was being at the finale of American Idol,” says the soft-spoken pop singer. “I did not expect myself to be there and so to actually be there, live that moment and take it all in, I realised all the work that I did that brought me there.”

Although he came in second, Archuleta’s likeability and humbleness, not to mention the musical talent displayed on the show, have led to a promising music career and won him a legion of die-hard fans.

Fast-forward three years and three albums, the now 20-year-old shows none of the negative effects of being in the music industry and still retains his down-to-earth, boy-next-door charm. At times during his interview with Young Post, his attitude showed he’s still accepting his own celebrity.

“I appreciate my fans so much. It means so much to me, all that they do. It’s so hard for me to understand how they are so passionate. I wonder, ‘What did I do that made them … so supportive?’ I certainly never thought, ‘What can I do to get people to become passionate fans?'” he says. “I just went about doing what I did. It makes me in awe just to think they would be so supportive, that they would follow what I do, they would listen to what I do, and be interested in the work that I do. I feel very blessed to have the group of fans that I have.”

While Archuleta remains the same lovable and honest person from Murray, Utah, his music has matured. He shows a darker side on his newest single, Wait, included on the Asian Tour Edition of his third album The Other Side of Down.

Wait is a little different than the stuff that I’ve released lately. The last album that I did, it was more about trying to be positive and dorky. With Wait, it was more of an emotional song, a sadder song,” he explains. “It’s … almost like a dream. You imagine you see someone that’s no longer there, someone who left you. You want to keep them there but you realise they’re not there and they’re gone. It’s that sense of when you lose someone.”

If there’s anyone that knows how to deal with a loss the right way, it’s Archuleta.

P.S. If you’re wondering about the tag … those exact words were overheard by Ms. Kizzi at last night’s Stroudsburg show… exclaimed as a compliment by a burly male fan. 🙂

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Yo, Canada! A message from @DavidArchie!

Hello, bonjour to all Canadian fans reading this! The lovely Ms. Kiz took the picture above and I thought you might want to know the story behind it. 🙂 In the Westbury VIP last night, Refnaf and I asked David if he’d mind holding our little sign for the picture taking.

In typical thoughtful David fashion, he read it carefully before agreeing and then we he realized what it said, and where we’d come from, he said “Awww, sure, thanks for coming!”

After they took the picture, Refnaf told David we’d love for him to come back to Canada for a show someday and he said he really wants to, then he said, “Tell everyone there hello from me.”

So this is me sending you all a big David hello and Merry Christmas! Fa-la-la-la, indeed.

It was a perfect moment up until the end when I shook his hand and smiled the spazziest smile ever. I’m sure he thought I was high on the sharpie ink that filled the room after he signed posters. sigh.

Other than my spazzfest, awesome awesome VIP… he left then popped back in just to sing an acappella bit of MKOP. Blew us all away. THIS is why we are his fans, wow.

Photo: Kizzi

Sorry, no pics or vids yet (from me, anyway, lol) … I just needed to give you my post-show first impressions of my very first 1st show of a tour.

This was the first time when I didn’t know what songs were coming or what surprises were in store. And as you’ve probably heard already there were a LOT!

I’ll add more later when I’ve had time to process it all, but let me just say there was an abundance of love in that venue tonight that started this tour off right. Standing O’s after practically every song.

And that aMAZing Falalalala song was one of the highlights for me… the kids, the dancing, the fact that the poem intro mentioned “angels in the snow” 🙂 🙂 🙂 …. it was perfect!

The jazzy “This is Christmas” was incredible too… and it will just get better and more soulful and jazztastic as the tour goes on, I just know it.

And “Little Drummer Boy” … who the heck was that and what did you do with our David Archuleta???? When David held those drumsticks in the air there was an audible gasp, no one really knew where the heck it was all going.

Then he started leaping around and pounding on the drum like a man possessed … all I could think of was “Does that drum represent Jive?” 😆 Man, he was in the ZONE.

David was rock-star amazing from beginning to end… and those boots in the first set????? …. I am not one to scream out things at concerts but I was perilously close to howling “DAAAAAVID, I LOVE YOUR BOOOOOTS!!!!!”

… more to come!

P.S. And for the record, SAz had this red snowflake background before David used it for his tour backdrop! 😆 😆 😆

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My Kind of Christmas Tour: It’s really here!!!!!

Source: Tumblr/morethanacrush

Source: Tumblr/davidarchieperfect

Guyssssss, THIS is the time we have all been waiting for! Touuurrrr!!!!!!!!!!

So watch this space for updates or feel free to post them in the comments.

Like David’s quote above says, let’s enjoy this aMAZing journey!

And in the meantime, enjoy this awesome interview … especially at the end where David talks about the power of music.

I could listen to him talk about that all the live long day.

.

P.S. Brought this over from the end of the last thread, from Kizzi:

So the NYCB Theatre at Westbury says tomorrow at 8pm ET is David Archuleta w/Jeff LeBlanc.

Per that highly credible source ( 😀 ) Wikipedia on Jeff LeBlanc:
In early 2006, LeBlanc released his first four track demo entitled “Stories From a Small Town”. The album featured songs he wrote and recorded in his Sacred Heart University dorm room. In late 2006, he began touring colleges and venues on weekends while he continued to complete his college degree. In 2008, he did a headlining tour of over 40 colleges and universities throughout the east coast. Produced by Stephen Gause, his debut album “Signals” was independently released on September 15, 2009. The album landed licensing deals with MTV, VH1, E! Network and more. The lead single, “Until We Get It Right” was co-written with LeBlanc’s good friend, Joe Beleznay, who is noted for his successful solo career as well as his work with John Mayer.

Jeff has recently toured with artists such as Matt Nathanson, Augustana, Third Eye Blind, Goo Goo Dolls, Ingrid Michaelson, Vertical Horizon, Jon McLaughlin, Justin Nozuka and many more.

Lead single, “Until We Get it Right”…

Note comment: “why is this song not famous?” hmmmmmmmmmm

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GCT mini-rant: Reviewing the reviewers

Source: Tumblr/lifelessmiserable

*cartwheels* the PBS (WNED) Program Guide for December came in the mail today and I tore it open like it was a copy of … well, anything David related 🙂 … I flipped and flipped and flipped through the pages till I finally found it … ta da!!!! … “Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring David Archuleta and Michael York: Holiday song, story, dance. 12/25 8 p.m. (60 min.). Repeats 12/25, 3 p.m.”

Not sure why this was so exciting (since I already have the DVD) but there’s just something about seeing Mr. Archuleta on my TV screen that makes it worth owning.

Like many of you, I’ve been checking out the music reviews for Glad Christmas Tidings and although, for the most part, they’ve been positive (like this one), every single one of them has missed a significant point, imho. The fact that the album was recorded LIVE!!!!!

All of the other CDs in these reviews have been recorded in a studio and “polished” to varying degrees to make the singer and arrangements sound as perfect as possible. (And in part to remind myself why this is necessary, I watched a youTube of JB singing Mistletoe live at one of his shows and it was off-key the entire way through… wait, that’s a lie, I didn’t make it to the end.)

"When love came down to the ea-ea-earth!" (Source: Deseret News.)

Maybe David just makes it look too easy. He came to be known on Idol for impeccable vocals, so perhaps when these reviewers listen to such an exquisite live recording they take for granted that he’ll deliver..e.a.c.h..and..e.v.e.r.y..t.i.m.e.

In fact, when I first watched the GCT DVD, I was relieved that you could hear David breathing from time to time because it sounded so perfect I feared peeps would accuse him of lip-synching. As if!

The overall positive reviews have been great to see actually, and I’m hoping when the PBS special airs, a lightbulb will go off over new viewers’ heads to alert them of the incredible accomplishment that is Glad Christmas Tidings.

Not just the technical excellence of a brilliant vocal performance live in concert with a full orchestra and choir in front of 21,000 people, but David’s interpretation of these carols — how he fills our hearts with the joy and love that is Christmas.

P.S. Vloggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More info:
I apologize for my computer’s issues! It keeps freezing every few frames but I still wanted to put up a blog either way this week. Got to go back to Utah last week for the Glad Christmas Tidings promotion and some signings. Getting ready for the My Kind of Christmas Tour that starts this week! I might have said Nokia Club instead of Club Nokia so sorry if I did I’m not a morning person lol.

Tags:
David  Archuleta  My  Kind  of  Christmas  Tour  Glad  Tidings  Mormon  Tabernacle  Choir
Thanksgiving    Utah  Westbury  Irvi

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@DavidArchie on ice: Pat-a-Pandora videos and buzz!

Photo: Disson Skating

I fail as a David Archuleta fan … thought this was on at 6 *head desk*

Thank goodness for youTube!!!!

What Child is This? (vids: amberberkoff47) (Download mp3 HERE, thx. Abrra!!!)

Pat-a-Pan (Download mp3 HERE, ❤ Abrra)

Above the Northern Lights (Download mp3 HERE, xoxo Abrra)

Silent Night (vid: amberberkoff47) (David does ooo’s & ahhhs only 😦 )

To Be With You (Download mp3 HERE, thx. Abs!) … *chills* baby *chills* & I love that he played the piano for this one

Screencap: @pabuckie

Twitter buzz:
@KaylaSpeaksNow: I just saw @DavidArchie performing on this ice skating special and he is just so handsome and perfect. I can’t handle it.

@EmilyDrapp: Dang!!!!! David Archuleta can sing! 🙂 live Christmas magic! #enjoyingrealtalent

@MannheimSteam: We loved how warm @DavidArchie ‘s voice sounded. Wonderful sound!  …  More backstage info… The teen/tween shout outs to @DavidArchie were constant… we did our fair share of shouting too 🙂 … Our friend @DavidArchie has fantastic technique! Tough song with the speed, Hard to breathe, David was perfect … Chip loved this performance with @DavidArchie, sometimes simple is more meaningful

P.S. PlatinumArchie (Lily) has posted her front-row live vids from the event on her youTube channel HERE. Thanks, Lily!!!

P.P.S. In case anyone else also missed the live show, it will be televised again on Ovation TV this Saturday, Dec. 3, schedule info HERE.

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David Archuleta talks turkey

I thought the amazing blitz of David Archuleta “Glad Christmas Tidings” interviews Tuesday warranted a new post. I’m not surprised at how well David handled himself (nice plugs for “PBS’s highest rated program of the year” and “performing for 21,000 people each night” there, D.! 🙂 ).

It was great to hear him talk about new projects coming up in the next few months, writing and recording, how much he’s learned about the music business, and how he’s grown out of being a “hermit.”

But most of all, it was heart-warming to see the warmth, respect and admiration shown to him by each interviewer. And overall, they asked some really good questions and, more importantly, included clips of David singing with “the MoTabs … is that what the kids are calling them these days?” 😆

After all, David singing on TV can have a powerful effect on some people…. 🙂

FOX59 Indianapolis:

FOX29 San Antonio

Raleigh

FOX6 Alabama

FOX10 Phoenix

FOX40 Sacramento

CTNOW Hartford Morning News

FreshLiving Utah 

FOX CLT Charlotte (my fave of the interviews!)

 

(many, many thanks to JR4DA!!!!)

Posted in Fan experience | Tagged | 36 Comments

Edith, will you marry me? Best. Vid. Ever.

(thanks, Hanne58!!!)

*************

Today is a David Archuleta vidextravagaza!

Good Day Utah  (thanks, JR!!!):

Good Things Utah (vid from the lovely @roxfox01):


And there’s more! …
Adorbs alert: Quick shout-out vid at the end of the post filmed at the Invisible Children offices.

Fans of David – from IC HQ from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

“Singer David Archuleta stops by the office just to say hello and send a message out to his fans. And we definitely have to give a shout out to his fans- they are killing it on Frontline Fundraising. So great job David fans.” Rest HERE.

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It is a wonderful life … with @DavidArchie in it

More info:
Sorry for all the noise in the background with the yard workers. And sorry if I look a little scary and seem a little loopy. I’m not a morning person haha. But thought I’d make a blog while I had the time. In LA rehearsing for the My Kind of Christmas Tour this week. Had a great time shooting the “Wait” music video in Hong Kong. Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice was last week with Mannheim Steamroller and will air Nov. 27 on NBC. Going back to Utah for Glad Christmas Tidings CD promo. Went to San Diego to visit the Invisible Children Offices and went to Phil’s BBQ. Working with Child Fund on the tour.

Tags:
David  Archuleta  Hong  Kong  Wait  My  Kind  of  Christmas  Pandora  Unforgettable  Holiday  Moments  on  Ice  Mannheim  Steamroller  No 

Yard workers FTW!!! 😆

P.S.
Can you spot the teacher? 🙂 

LOOOOVE this! From Invisible Children blog: "Singer/Musician Coalition all-star David Archuleta stopped into the office today on his day off to visit everyone here at the San Diego headquarters. His fans are absolutely owning fundraising, as you can tell from his fundraising page." (Click pic 4 source.)

Fans of David – from IC HQ from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

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Wanna be startin’ something: Which M.J. song would you like to hear David Archuleta sing someday?

Source: Tumblr/davidarchieperfect

“Deep inside I feel that this world we live in is really a big huge monumental symphonic orchestra. I believe that in its primordial form, all of creation is sound. And that it’s not just random sound. That it’s music.”
~ Michael Jackson

In Doc Naree’s epic (and eagerly anticipated 🙂 ) interview, David Archuleta talked about how, many years ago, his voice coach arranged for him to speak with Michael Jackson, and sing for him a little, over the phone. He also hinted that he’s been practicing an M.J. song to possibly perform at some point. (That sound you hear? Heart falls out. Mine.)

Source: @ateenview

P.S. LDS Living photogallery HERE (incl. pics below, thx. @suttygal!!!)

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Pat-a-pat-a-Pandora

Click pic 4 more great shots from @pikepss

Skating + David Archuleta = ♥

That. Is. All.

Click pic 4 more Pandora pics.

Snippet of David with Manheim Zamboni (or whatever they’re called, lol) … watch this space for more to come!

David singing Pat-a-Pan (thx. jtmlm1234!)

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