Manchester was just one of forty-one cities throughout the country that hosted the "Pop Tarts Presents American Idols Live! featuring the top ten contestants from Season Four.
The remainder of the AI4 tour dates and U.S. cities include:
* Aug. 4: Detroit, Michigan (Joe Louis Arena)
* Aug. 6: St. Paul, Minnesota (Xcel Energy Center)
* Aug. 8: Chicago, Illinois (United Center)
* Aug. 9: St. Louis, Missouri (Savvis Center)
* Aug. 12: San Antonio, Texas (SBC Center)
* Aug. 13: Grand Prairie, Texas (NOKIALive at Grand Prairie)
* Aug. 14: Norman, Oklahoma (Lloyd Noble Center)
* Aug. 16: Glendale, Arizona (Glendale Arena)
* Aug. 17: Los Angeles, California (Staples Center)
* Aug. 18: Las Vegas, Nevada (Thomas & Mack Center)
* Aug. 20: San Jose, California (HP Pavilion at San Jose)
* Aug. 21: Sacramento, California (ARCO Arena)
* Aug. 23: Everett, Washington (Everett Events Center)
* Aug. 24: Portland, Oregon (Rose Garden)
* Aug. 26: Salt Lake City, Utah (Delta Center)
* Aug. 28: Des Moines, Iowa (Wells Fargo Arena)
* Aug. 30: Green Bay, Wisconsin (Resch Center)
* Aug. 31: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Bradley Center)
* Sept. 2: Albany, New York (Pepsi Arena)
* Sept. 3: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Mellon Arena)
* Sept. 4: Norfolk, Virginia (Constant Convocation Center)
* Sept. 8: Providence, Rhode Island (Dunkin Donuts Center)
* Sept. 9: Portland, Maine (Cumberland County Civic Center)
* Sept. 10: Syracuse, New York (War Memorial at Oncenter)
On Sunday night, Jessica Sierra the tenth runner up was the first to entertain the crowd of approximately 10,000 fans. At first, many of us thought we were watching Carrie dressed in a black and silver work-out outfit. As she glided over to our side of the stage it became clear we were watching Jessica.
A small piece of evidence that this tour is having a big impact on Jessica's fame comes from our site's daily traffic. While Rugged Elegant Living is only one tiny gauge, it is interesting to look at our Urchin traffic log and note that of all the stories I wrote about this group throughout the season (which was typically a recap after every show), the one story that continues to generate the most interest is from March 31st. It is called A High Sierra Shocker After American Idol IV Shows Off Their Girl Power with 90s Hits
During Sunday's concert, Anwar Robinson followed Jessica. He dedicated his first song A House Is Not A Home to the late-great Luther Vandross.
Anwar came onto the stage wearing a handsome blue suit and long dreadlocks. He dedicated his second song, "What a Wonderful World" to all his fans.
Constantine returned to his New England roots on Sunday. When he came onto the stage next his fans went wild. Surprise, surprise!
My seven year-old, Niki, was probably cheering the loudest. Constantine, did you hear her? Had Niki only seen Constantine and no other idol she would have gone home a happy girl.
Constantine told the crowd that he once fell in love in New Hampshire. I think our seven year-old did too -- on Sunday night.
During his rendition of "My Funny Valentine" when he sang the lyric "unphotographable" a zillion cameras flashed.
Constantine wore a black velvet sport coat and that million dollar smile. Evidently, that smile has helped get him a gig this fall on television.
Nikko Smith came out next wearing dark shades, a red St. Louis cap (in honor of his dad, Cardinals' great Ozzie Smith), along with a fabulous "rugged elegant" jacket, jeans and white tennis shoes.
In the middle of his first song, "My Life is Incomplete" he threw his cap out into the crowd. Before singing "Part-time Lover" he said, "Being the kind of guy I am I feel like dancing." His dancing got everyone on their feet and clapping.
After Scott Savol's performances, including a "Total Eclipse of the Heart" duet with Jessica Sierra, Tim had a look in his eyes that said, "That's my man, Scotty the Body. He delivered it tonight." After the concert, Tim said, "All Scott needs is a hip dresser and it would change his persona. I hope he makes it big."
On Sunday, Scott showed us what a showman he is. His wit, personality and voice were shining as bright as the lights in his eyes. For his third song, he sang Hall & Oates' hit "She's Gone."
As Scott was finishing up his performance, everyone around us started squirming when they saw Nadia's afro appear from behind the stage. "There she is!" they screamed. "It's Nadia!"
Nadia came out jamming on a white electric guitar looking very Prince-like.
It was hard to tell whether she was actually playing the guitar. Regardless, she looked great and she lit the crowd on fire.
When she slipped from a short long-sleeved outfit to a slinky short black mini dress she looked even better. The dress went well with her rendition of "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me."
New England's critics may be slamming the idols on tour. But this crowd loved Nadia so much she received a standing ovation. The applause led her to say, "You're makin' me blush."
After seeing her in person, we were more convinced that she has the voice, the body, the hair and the stage presence to become a star in her own right after the tour is over this fall.
After The Intermission
Anwar started out the 2nd set on the keyboards. He both played and sang "Superstition."
Vonzell Solomon joined him on stage wearing a long yellow sultry gown.
While she sang her third song "The Best of My Life" from the top twelve idols' show stopper CD, Olivia King, my cousin's twelve year-old daughter, came alive. She pulled out our cell phone and called her mom to share the moment. The following day, she called all her best friends in Providence Rhode Island to play the recorded message. While the translation was hardly recognizable it didn't matter. She had Vonzell Solomon, her favorite of the top ten contestants, on tape for all who care to hear.
Anthony Fedorov looked like he was having the most fun of anyone. His irresistible smile and his rendition of "Everytime You Go Away" made us glad we helped vote him into the Top Ten.
We could see his lips say "Wow" as he looked out at the crowd.
All the girls in the arena screamed, "I love you Anthony!"
Fedorov responded by saying:
Every day I get up in the morning I ask myself, 'Is this for real?'
He thanked the crowd for making his dreams come true. And then he proceeded to jump off the stage and high five all the people standing in the front run. 7 or 8 rows back there was a hot pink sign that called out Anthony above the rest.
Anthony had the privilege of announcing Bo's presence.
And then Verizon's house came down.
Bo worked the camera better than any other performer. He also captivated his audience.
He showed us how multi-talented and courageous he is. While we saw him fall he sucked up the pain and kept on singing. His "the show must go on" attitude was both honorable and bold.
When Bo came out and started rockin' we called my brother Brad in Pasadena California and directed our cell phone toward the stage so he could hear what he wished he was watching.
When Constantine came out we thought our seven year-old had died and gone to heaven. That was until Bo came on stage. I didn't think she was capable of screaming that loud.
Finally, Carrie's performance of "Independence Day" was worth the whole price of admission.
Her attire was something to be desired. The Country girl image was not impressive. And Bo's performance was hard to beat.
But when she gathered together with the rest of the idols to sing "Lean on Me" and "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." we ended up far less disappointed.
While each of the idols delivered a unique performance one thing was the same between them. Each one of them expressed their appreciation to their fans. "If it wasn't for you," they said, "I wouldn't be standing here tonight. Thank you for voting for me."
Upon looking through the program, there was another consistency among the majority of the contestants. When asked what three things they were taking with them on tour, more than half counted their Bible as one of their prized possessions in tow. A soulful bunch, to say the least!
After the show we asked our girls and my cousin's daughter, Olivia, "If you were invited to the 'Meet & Greet' time backstage but you would only get to meet one or two people who would they be?"
Niki said, "Definitely Constantine or Bo."
Jessie said, "I would like to meet Carrie because she seems really nice. Second and third on my list would be Constantine and Vonzell."
She added: "The only thing I would have changed about the show was to have been able to see and hear Lindsey Cardinale (the twelve runner-up and one of the contestants on the Showstoppers CD).
Olivia said she wishes she could meet Vonzell in person because she seems very friendly. Vonzell was Olivia and her mom's favorite of the Top Ten contestants during the competition.
I think we paid $46 per ticket. That's less than $5 per idol -- not including the band.
We flew 3,000 miles and then drove 90 miles to get to Manchester on Sunday night. I'd do it again if we had plans to be near of any of the cities they are going to perform in between now and September 10th.
After the concert, I met one of the idols' biggest fans, Katie Trice from Concord. Katie and her friend, Ang Giles went all the way to L.A. for the final show at the end of May and almost got in. In fact, she had the tickets in hand and she was directed to her seat. However, at the last minute she and her friend did not make it into the theater -- perhaps because a few more celebrities showed up. Needless to say, they were crushed. Fortunately, she had a huge smile on her face after attending the concert on Sunday.
Bo Rocks & Then Rolls His Ankle
On Monday, Bo told MTV News from his hospital bed in Manchester:
There's a part where I go running across the stage and do these jump-ups and flip around in circles, and normally I wear cowboy boots, but about three or four shows ago, they started sliding on me.
I was worried I was gonna trip and fall and hurt myself, so I changed to tennis shoes and they got a lot better grip, too good of a grip.
I tried to stand back up and just collapsed.
I thought, 'Something's not good here.'
On Tuesday in Cleveland, Bo wore an air cast. However, this man does not play air guitar. He is the real deal.
So are the other nine of them, in their own unique way.
Their different shapes, sizes, voices and styles was a clear reminder of what makes American grand.
Inspire & Be Inspired.
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "even better than reality tv" living!
~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC
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P.S. On Tuesday, August 2nd, Oakland, California's LaToya London, a 2004 American Idol Top Ten contestant, released her Appreciate/Every Part of Me/All by Myself single.
The CD features Black Thought from The Roots.
Congratulations LaToya!
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