2003-07-17
2:21 p.m.

BEVR: Laurie L. and Wendy N./Wilkes-Barre

Broad's Eye View Report: Laurie L. and Wendy N./Wilkes-Barre

We attended the American Idol Concert in Wilkes-Barre, PA (approximately 3 hours south of where we live). As we drove to the concert our car was filled with Clay music blasting from our tape player. We had such high expectations and a level of excitement that cannot be described. Here are our thoughts:

The concert began approximately 10 minutes late. We were in the 6th row along the left side of the stage. From our vantage point we were approximately 10 feet from the stage, but spent much of the night looking past the cameraman stationed on the side of the stage shooting for the video screen. We were able to see the performers, but our best shots were when they moved from side to side and we could see them either walking directly towards us, or directly away from us.

The sound system was AWFUL. Carmen actually DIDN'T sound like a goat, but all of the words to her songs, and the others, were completely garbled and lost in the blasting beat of the bass. They could have been singing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and I don't think we would have known. When they spoke to introduce the next performer it was mumbled noises, not actual words. The only one who COULD be understood was Clay- he enunciates the words of his songs, and has a gentle speaking voice that could be heard in every corner of the arena.

We will not waste time describing all the "non-Clay" performers- that has already been done eloquently by previous BEVR reports and does not warrant repeat here.

Clay arose from the stage to perform "This is the Night" and we actually found ourselves holding our breath through his entire performance. Not out of nerves, but out of the fear that our breathing (loud in our own ears) would somehow drown out his beautiful voice.

The crowd noise was deafening, not only BEFORE his performances, but moreso afterwards. He continues to look bewildered after he completes his performances and is greeted with wild cheers, squeals, and thunderous applause. It's as though he cannot understand what all the fuss is about (boy, could we explain THAT to him!!!). He is already an incredible performer and entertainer, even though his career has just begun. His natural affinity for, and comfort level chatting with the audience makes you feel as though you are sitting alone with him in your kitchen- having an intimate conversation (at least, until the cheers and squeals take over).

We have created our "best" and "worst" moments of the evening as follows:

1. Best "Lecherous Broads" moment- we met another LB at the show (Karen from PA, and "Mr. Karen"). What a great couple, and what a great time we had getting to know other Clay maniacs! The actual "Best LB Moment" came when Karen accurately tossed her panties onto the stage, wrapped around a soft, foam "missle" device. She was one of 3 people who landed panties on the stage during Clay's "Invisible" performance. He actually stopped after the performance, picked up KAREN's panties, giggled uncontrollably, turned to the crowd and said "yes, they are panties." He then pointed to 2 other objects on the stage and said, "What's scary is, so are those and those." The 3rd item on the stage was a "depends"- he picked IT up and said "If someone was wearing THAT, we're in trouble!" His giggle is infectious! Kudos to a Fellow Broad for her accurate throw. Hey Karen, Clay touched your panties!!

2. Best "Clay Moment"- for us, I think the best moment was our first glimpse of him rising out of the stage. He is pure magic. He has the ability to take the audience with him as he sings. When he sings a romantic song or ballad it is as though he is gently wrapping his arms around you, lifting you up with him, and carrying you along as he sings. As the song ends you can feel him put you back down, and caress you with his smile. He has tremendous gifts, and makes you feel like you are part of his special world, if only for a very brief time. He danced WONDERFULLY, and even did the "shoulder move" he had previously stated he "couldn't get." His natural enthusiasm for what he does makes you feel there is no place he'd rather be than standing on the stage performing just for you.

3. Best "Non-Clay Moment"- we met MANY fans of Clay, all of whom had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. Those who had met him used words like "genuine, real, handsome, charming, down-to-earth." Those who were simply fans of his talked about his heart and charisma. Our signs brought comments and smiles from many people including security guards, fellow Clay fans, and even some non-Clay fans who had to admit "he's a great guy."

4. Our "Worst Moment"- We did not have a magical moment of meeting Clay. The buses had already arrived and Clay was inside when we arrived at the arena. There were probably a hundred fans who won chances for a "meet and greet" with the performers before the show, via radio contests. Many of those same people were also given backstage passes for after the show. Alas, we fell in neither category, but were determined to enjoy every minute of the show. That is, until the "worst moment" came. Approximately half way through the 2nd half of the show we were strategically planning how to use the rest of our film. Clay had yet to sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" or "Invisible" and we wanted to be sure to have plenty of film available for any possible jersey clutch. We chose to use up the final few picutres on one roll of film while Clay ws NOT on stage, so that we had a fresh roll in once he returned. (How could we possibly scream, hold up signs, shoot pictures, sing, AND change film all at the same time while he is on stage?!?!!?) In any event, we settled in with our final roll of film, ready for the "Invisible" performance. Shortly after he sang "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," and with approximately 15 pictures remaining on our final roll of film, Wendy was tapped on her shoulder by a security guard for the arena. She was directed to see the American Idol security guard now standing at the end of our row. This AI security guard was the person who earlier was giving out backstage passes to some skanky Kimberly Caldwell fans seated below us, so for a brief moment we actually thought that's what he wanted Wendy for. How wrong could we be?!?!? When Wendy got to the end of the row he tersely asked her if her camera was "digital."

(Wendy now takes over the story in the first person) I was actually relieved that he thought it was a digital camera, as it was NOT, and I felt we were off the hook. I own a Canon EOS Rebel, and had a 200 mm zoom lens on it. So I told him it was a 35 mm camera. The next 4 words he uttered were what changed the concert entirely for us. He simply and firmly stated "give me the film." I could not believe he was actually saying this, and was convinced that the booming bass had altered my hearing, so all I could say was a shocked "excuse me??" He again said, "give me the film," took the camera out of my hands, opened the camera, and pulled the partially used roll out of the camera. He then turned and left me standing there, no doubt with my mouth hanging open. Wanting to argue with him, but knowing he could then toss me/us out of the arena before we even got to see "Invisible" I returned to my seat next to Laurie. From that moment on I could not even focus on the concert. I was torn between wanting to simply let it go, and feeling miserable that our pictures were gone, it was our last roll of film, and knowing that Clay had at least two more appearances on stage. I never received an explanation as to why the film had been taken. One of the arena security officers approached me afterwards, along with some fans who had been sitting in front of us and had seen this happen. None of us could come up with a reason for the film being taken. We had received no warning, the camera had been checked by security upon my entrance into the arena, and there was no posting that 35 mm cameras were not allowed. There were also HUNDREDS of other people taking pictures, so I am still unclear about why this happened. In any event, this turned the whole concert around for us. Clay's performance of "Invisible" was great- no jersey, no jersey clutching. He wore a light blue button-front shirt, and sang his heart out. But we have no pictures to show for it. This was clearly the moment that broke the concert for us.

5. Some "Final Thoughts:" Clay was clearly the star of the show. The applause and cheers for him started the loudest and lasted the longest. Even though the paper in Wilkes-Barre did not tap him as "the attraction" of the show (according to them, the best singing was Trenyce's "Proud Mary"), the fans would tell you otherwise. He had the most signs, the most fans, the most natural presence on the stage, and the BEST performances. We are clearly torn in our BEVR report as we want to talk only about Clay, but also hope to warn fellow Lecherous Broads to be wary- the officer who took our pictures WORKS FOR the American Idol tour- not for the arena. We still have no idea why they were taken, and no amount of complaining will ever get those pictures back, or give us another opportunity to finish out our concert experience on a high note. As we drove home last night we were conflicted between the highs of meeting Karen, the thrill of seeing Clay in person, and the unfortunate incident that will be our lasting impression of the American Idol "brass."

But for all of you who have not yet seen the show, please take EVERY moment to enjoy Clay when he is on the stage. He glides effortlessly back and forth across the stage as though he wants to reach every fan with his voice, his eyes, his smile. The brief waves of his hand towards fans is like a caress you can feel; his smile radiates warmth, his giggle physically tickles you, and his voice makes your spirit soar. We are so glad that for 3 hours we were on his journey with him, and were able to experience his magic first hand. We pray for his health and safety every day, and hope that as we pass him to the next set of Lecherous Broad fans that you will keep him safe as he completes the tour and makes it back home. We also hope that future concerts bring more wonderful experiences for fellow broads like Ruth and Karen- the opportunity to meet, shake hands with, and talk with Clay. Thank you Clay for giving us memories we will cherish always, and thank you God, for blessing all of us with Clay.

Laurie L. and Wendy N.

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Note from Nelle: You, too, can participate in the LBFCA Summer Series, and have your Broad's Eye View Report of Clay's Summer Concert Tour on the LBFCA Main Page. Just send it to Nelle via email, and she'll post it ASAP. (If you are a lurker, or otherwise wish to remain anonymous, just let me know that in your email). Don't worry about your BEVR not being the same size or looking the same as anyone elses. Here at LBFCA we celebrate diversity. Every BEVR is unique. This is your personal experience of witnessing what Katynka so gloriously described as "a little hockey-jersey-clutchin,' white-leather-wearin,' DTTR revealin,' mic-flickin,' thigh-strokin,' eye-f***ing, smokin,' jokin,' singin,' hunk-o-burnin' libido."