Julee, aka Mom, had a beyond-epic David Archuleta VIP experience. Read about it below. wow. love her. and him.

“Bet on love and let it ride”

I had no idea how much fun I’d have. The miracles that have usually surrounded David events in the past were back in full force. I have missed them. Let’s just say I needed it. A lot.

Las Vegas is far from my favorite place. 116 degrees of baking Fahrenheit heat beating down on you is a case in point. Thinking of all the sharpies David would need to get through the billboards and flyers surrounding him everywhere is another issue, but my lovely friend ITTO has an equally lovely home there and David was opening for Demi in that city, (even though no one would know it if they looked at the marquee in front of the Orleans where his name was conspicuously absent) so off we went.

I convinced my conscientious young friend Anny to skip her class so we didn’t have to add two hours on to our drive ( I am such a bad influence. If she fails it will really be David’s fault, but I will totally blame myself.) My daughter convinced me not to pass the crazy purple car whose driver was either drunk or asleep, so we narrowly avoided death. And my friend Mary did NOT have her baby in my car. She is due in September by the way. “Do you remember, the 21st day of September?” And it’s a boy. I’ll explain later. Now that I think of it, it’s entirely possible she was pregnant when we mosh-pitted together on New Years Eve to see David sing a song. She was not pregnant when she flew to New York on album release day as a cheer-up gift for her friend who was going through some terrible times that only David could soothe. She is a die-hard fan.

So, 207 replays of  “I Wanna’ Know You” and “Zero Gravity” later, we were there. Cheesecake Factory with 13 David-fans.  Lunch the next day with another 50 or so fans. Being re-united with Karin and Trish, Gengen, Suzanne, Soundscene and my other Utah peeps. Presents from Jennifer B. the photo-taking Goddess. Meeting new fans. Getting box seats for 10 bucks each, which we didn’t use, but still. It’s a great story for another day.

And then the VIP experience. Can I just say, David is a charmer, pure and simple and I get the distinct feeling that he totally knows it? Sure, he likes to pretend he’s just a spacey, wierd kid, but I have no doubt that he owns and delights in his ability to make people happy whether he’s singing, taking polls of the audience or rhapsodizing over wheat bread. The boy is entrancing and irresistible and delightful and completely fascinating all at the same time. Take his latest blog for example – bunnies, Metallica, Tortoro, Danish heritage, the delights of hanging with family and friends and  3 stinkin’ awesome girls and their music in the same blog. Who else could pull that off? It would be forced and transparent from anybody else, but David does it in a way that just leaves us smiling and speechless.

But I digress. We were talking about Vegas VIP.

He told us it really wasn’t very ‘heat-ey’ outside except the wind was blowing and sucks every last bit of moisture out of you and makes your skin itchy. He polled the audience numerous times about numerous things, but then finally sang Heaven and Crazy. (Here’s where I talk to David directly) Thank you David, for not giving in to the the multiple VIP- goers who wanted you to sing something else and depriving those of us with only one chance, of hearing those two songs. I just want to know one thing, however. What are you thinking about when go to that place where it all comes out in a blaze of gorgeous sound and glorious emotion? I really really REALLY want to know.  Because that ability to communicate soul-to-soul is not just about raw talent. It’s about who you are as a person and how much you want to give to your audience. And you do it at the drop of  a hat. I think the word I’m searching for is GAHHHH! But I really want to know.

Heavenly music over, souls touched and tears shed and it’s time for the questions. Did I mention that both Mary and I were chosen to ask a question? What are the chances? I mean, really, what are the chances? VIP Krisitin made some remark about the scream I let out when my number was called – which I am sincerely hoping was correct because I didn’t have my glasses on and I had to rely on our new friend John to tell me what my ticket said. But since no one tried to take my spot when we went up to the front, I’m assuming he was correct.

First up, sweet girl wanted to know about the car chasing incident with Jason Castro someone tweeted about the evening before. I think. She asked David what happened with the fans last night and he diplomatically said ” I don’t know, I wasn’t paying attention.” Really. Just like that. “I don’t know. I was talking to someone else.” Then, realizing this was sort of a lame answer, he started talking about what he ate with his buddies. Turkey burger on wheat bread.

Outside of his singing, the most passionate we ever hear him get is when he’s talking about food. Gotta’ love that in a man. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to us all when he gives a little moan at the thought of the taste of wheat bread. I wonder if he consciously decided that he would really bring it right then for our amusement. I may or may not have a little garbled audio of that moment – actually it’s about 5 moments – when he distinctly says “AHHHHH” when thinking about the nutritious, refreshing taste of wheat bread with a beautiful smile on his face. What can I say? I’ll bet the majority of the people  in that room wished they were a piece of wheat bread right about then.  Someone asked him to write a song about wheat bread, but he said he would have to write about wheat fields because it would be more romantic, but even if it became someones wedding song, he would always know it was really a song about wheat bread. White bread – ugh. Stretch-ey and foam-ey. (Lots of -ey words. Like the acoustic-ey set he wanted to do at his solo concerts and what should he sing. We failed in offering good choices I fear. He said he’d have to ask other VIP’s. Note to other VIP’s – try to figure out what he wants you to say he should sing that will confirm his already picked choice. Hint: It’s not something he’s already sung. Maybe.)

After the epic wheat bread rhapsody, it was my friend Mary’s turn. Ahh Mary. Invited him over for wheat bread on Sunday night because she lives in Utah (Orem to be exact) which led to yet another poll of the audience as to when he David was last in Orem. Ironically, it was on the aforementioned night that Mary and I mosh-pitted on New Years Eve. He had forgotten that and thought that it had been much longer time since he’d been there. He made a comment when the 3 of us went up to answer questions that there were no guys who won the question lottery- again – but Mary pointed out that her baby was a boy and he was happy. He asked when ‘he was coming’ and Mary said September. This is when we learned of David’s love for Earth, Wind and Fire as he did his random song burst of the day at the word “September.” PRICELESS.

Now I get to brag a little. Mary has a beautiful voice. She has taught Kindermusik for me in the past and substitutes for me now (except when I want to skip class on album release day and she is going to New York to see David) And I knew she wanted to ask David if she could sing “To Be With You” with him. VIP Kristin was not sure he would do this, but she must not know David very well. He was happy to. However since he ‘has such a bad memory, you guys’ we were treated to a few random chords in which he genuinely asked “What song is that?” after he played them. This guy could do a Victor Borge act if he wanted to. Charming and funny. He finally found the right beginning and off they went. And the audience loved it. Clapping and cheering. And David said “Hey, that was good.”  It was beyond Epic. I don’t know what word describes beyond Epic, but it was.

Then it was my turn. I want to say that David looked at me and said “Hey mom, I’ve missed you! Did you bring organic cookies?” but he didn’t. He did say ‘Hey, how are you?’ with a smile and I knew he recognized me, so I really can’t complain. Doesn’t matter anyway. I told him there were a lot of fans from Utah here (resulting in another poll of where Utah fans were from. Apparently David only thinks there are 2 cities in Utah – St. George and SLC. He’d already forgotten about Orem) and proceeded to ask him a very self-indulgent question from Utah peeps “David would you mind singing your favorite Primary song?”  Primary is the name of the organization the children ages 3 – 11 go to in the LDS church – like Sunday School. Singing is a major part of this experience. There are some beautiful hymn-like Primary songs that would make you all cry, but David, ever the diplomat, didn’t want to get too doctrinal in a non-religious setting,  so sang the one we were all betting he would sing “Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree.” It comes complete with hand motions, which David did. Pretended again that he couldn’t remember all the words, so Utah peeps helped him out. Claps and cheers again. But I wasn’t through. I told him I assumed that was just the warm up and would he please sing “Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam. “ He laughed, immediately started singing it and popped off his chair on the word “BEAM” which is exactly what he probably did when he was 3. Discussion and hialrity ensued. Then he felt guilty and apologized for the “Mormon jokes”  but I don’t think anyone minded. Thank you David for doing this. You have no idea how happy you made a lot of your fans.

Seriously, how great was that VIP? You ROCKED David, you ROCKED AND ROLLED. Charmer. Flirt. Stand-up comedian. GAHHHH.

Oh yeah, the concert. So here’s the part where he REALLY brang it! As if he hadn’t made us all happy enough. Just when you think you’ve seen him at his best, he digs deeper and pulls out more. I don’t know how he does it. I want to listen to Vegas Barriers every day for the rest of my life. Apologize made me cry. I couldn’t keep track of the new riffs and runs he threw into every song.  He charmed the pants off of the Demi mom/daughter combo who started out his set sitting with their arms and legs crossed, which progressed to mom tapping her toe and bopping her head, which progressed to her taking pictures of David with her mega-camera, which progressed to both of them singing full out every word to CRUSH at the end.  Bring it David, bring it!! And I jumped with The Princess to Zero Gravity.

To end the evening, my friend Karin summed it up best – “Let’s go eat and just talk about how wonderful David is for the rest of our lives.” My new philosophy in life. We did. And we will. We bet on love in this trip and came out Big Winners.

Fields of Wheat: A Wedding Song (Eva Cassidy or Sting, take your pick)

 Ahhh  Ahhhhahhhhh, Mmmmmmm
 You’ll remember me when your stomach says
“It’s time to eat a sandwich”
You’ll forget white bread and it’s foam-like taste
As we walk in fields of wheat.

So she took her man
To the deli store
To feed him a sandwich
In his arms she fell as he sliced the bread
Among the fields of wheat 

Will you stay with me, will you be my love
When we eat this sandwich
We’ll forget white bread and it’s stretchy-ness
As we lie in fields of wheat.

So they fell in love over whole wheat bread
When they shared a sandwich
And their taste buds soared as they ate whole grain
Among the fields of wheat

They never really got the reason
Some people didn’t like brown bread
But they swore that throughout their life
They would walk in fields of wheat
They’ll walk in fields of wheat

Many years have passed since those burger days
Turkey on whole wheat
See their children run when it’s dinnertime
Among the fields of wheat

You’ll remember me when your stomach says
“It’s time to eat a sandwich”
You’ll forget white bread and it’s foam-like taste
As we walk in fields of wheat.
We’ll walk in fields of wheat.
We walk in fields of wheat.

source: Peace. Love. David. de-constructing David Archuleta.

Last 3 posts by Orlando

• A Year in the Life of a David Archuleta Fan - July 2nd, 2009
• David Archuleta in Lafayette, Louisiana - July 2nd, 2009
• David Archuleta in Hartford - Recap - June 22nd, 2009

~ by Orlando on July 22, 2009.

David Archuleta

Tags: David Archuleta, David Archuleta/Demi Lovato tour, Las Vegas, VIP