What a super awesome day I had with the American Idol tour!  This was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.  My day began in the afternoon.  My friend Sue and I got to the Bradley Center and entered through the gated area marked ‘media entrance’.  That alone is a very cool feeling.  Once inside, we waited in a hallway until all who were expected arrived and then we were all escorted through the ‘behind the scenes’ hallways into the lobby.  Each of us already knew who we were going to be interviewing, so now we just had to wait until they came out.  Yes – interviewing!  I was there in the early afternoon well before the show was set to begin because I was about to interview American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina!  Now let me be honest, when I was told I could do this I was scared out of my mind.  This was something totally new to me.  It’s one thing to briefly meet a celebrity, shake their hand and/or hug them, and maybe take a quick picture. But now we’re talking about me actually talking to them, not just talking but interviewing them, asking questions.  Wow, who would have ever thought I would be doing that.  (Hence why I attempt not to think too much!) 

Okay, so back to the Bradley Center lobby.  We all picked a spot to wait for our celebrities to come and talk with us.  It wasn’t a large area, but big enough.  I was feeling extremely excited and a bit nervous.  I had no idea what to expect since this was my first time having such a tremendous opportunity.  I felt pretty good about my preparation and I had a list of questions for both / each of them.  My friend Sue reassured me that I would do a fine job, and the next thing I knew out comes Scotty McCreery walking right toward me.  He looked very comfortable in a pair of jeans and white T-shirt.  From the moment he stepped out, it was so easy to see that he is such a nice young man.  He gave hugs with open arms, and spoke with complete manners and respect.  We went off to the side a bit and took some seats at a long table with a black cloth partition as a background.  I introduced myself and started off talking about his single “I Love You This Big”.  My nerves calmed down as soon as we started talking.  Scotty McCreery was so honest, so real, genuine, and down-home that it was easy to talk to him.  He made me feel very comfortable.  I asked a few questions about being on tour, missing home, and what keeps him going strong through all of this.  He expressed his gratitude for all of his fans and the support he has received throughout his journey.  And he happily autographed my ticket.  Scotty McCreery is a great role model.  He is very young with a great future ahead of him.  I am thrilled to have had the chance to talk with him one on one. 

After my chat with Scotty McCreery, the absolutely lovely Miss Lauren Alaina came out.  She was all smiles and open arms.  She was adorable in a pair of jeans, tank and Mickey Mouse zipper sweatshirt.  We went and sat down in the same spot where I spoke with Scotty McCreery.  Immediately we started talking casually as if we were long- time friends.  Lauren Alaina was so down to earth she made me feel very comfortable, and she made it very easy to talk to her.  We discussed her current favorite songs, what she likes to eat, and her support system during her amazing journey.  She had some confidence problems while on American Idol, but as she mentioned during the interview those are gone now.  And with good reason because Lauren Alaina has a very bubbly personality and is a beautiful young lady, and who like Scotty McCreery, shows manners and respect toward others.  Not to mention she has a voice that will give you goose-bumps when you hear her sing.  She also gladly autographed my ticket.

Having the opportunity to sit down with each of them was an experience that I will treasure always.  It’s a good thing I had some time before our meet-n-greet with the entire American Idol Tour because I definitely needed to take some deep breaths and absorb what just happened.  Now still flying on cloud 9, we headed back into the Bradley Center and got in line to meet all of the American Idol Tour and we received a group picture that they each autographed as we met them.  The all looked so happy and excited to be doing what they love.  Once that was over we had a chance to go across the street for something to eat at Buck Bradley’s Saloon & Eatery, where our bartender/waiter Tim took great care of us.  We had a couple drinks and wonderful food and then went back for our American Idol Tour concert.
We were lucky to have great seats on the main floor, practically center stage, and they were on the end.  That’s always nice because it’s easy to get out and snap a few pictures without bothering anybody.  Plus it gives a little extra dancing room.  This concert was different than any other because there were so many people performing throughout the night, and it was a great combination.  We enjoyed solos, duets, all the girls, all the guys, and everyone together.  It was a superb evening of entertainment with a tremendous amount of energy and variety of music.  Paul McDonald gave a great performance of “Maggie May”, and Thia Megia followed him with “Beauty Queen”.  Next we got some upbeat  Motown music from the girls before slowing down for a duet with Pia Toscano and Stefano Langone.  The guys came out and sang “What Are You Waiting For”, before we had a chance to experience the energy of Naima Adedapo who was awesome.  She did a fabulous African Dance that made me tired just from watching her!  Then a great job by Lauren Alaina, Pia Toscano, and Thia Megia singing “Firework”.  Casey Abrams rocked the house with “Smooth” before Haley Reinhart joined him for a duet.  Next was everyone (except Scotty McCreery) dressed in red suits singing “Forget You”.  Whew – it’s intermission!

Back to the show after a short break, Lauren Alaina started us back off with “Like My Mother Does” and then “If I Die Young” while Thia Megia, Stefano Langone and Haley Reinhart sang backup.  Next we rocked out with James Durbin singing “Sweet Child-O-Mine” and then Jacob Lusk jazzed us up with “A Thousand Kisses From You”.  Haley Reinhart gave us a great solo before the one we’ve all been waiting for hit the stage – Scotty McCreery came out with “Just To Be Your Man”.  The crowd went wild and then he picked up a guitar and gave a great performance of “You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”.  The audience was on fire and Scotty McCreery could feel it.  He was really interactive with the crowd and talked about how it all began for him right here in Milwaukee at the Bradley Center when he came to audition for American Idol.  After that bit of intimacy Scotty McCreery cranked us up with “I Love You This Big” before Lauren Alaina joined him on stage for a duet of “When You Say Nothing At All”, and once finished Scotty walked Lauren off the stage just as a gentleman would do.  From there on out we enjoyed a great combination of many more performances by all including “Gone” and “Here I Go Again On My Own”.  Though there was so much to take in and experience, this night was one that I will always remember.  This is a group of extremely great young talent, who all have the potential and chance to continue to make their dreams come true.  I am super excited for each and every one of them, and I wish them all the very best.  I hope you enjoy my blog, pictures, and interview videos as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you.