2004-04-08
2:06 p.m.

BEVR: PA Broads Do Winston Salem 03/13/04

Get Ready for Five ... yes, that's 5 .. BEVRs at once!

Ok Broads, put MOAM on the stereo, grab a drink, sit back and relax, because you're gonna be here for a while.

Cindy:

First, I have to say that Cheyanne and Cindy in PA are two wonderful Broads! If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have had one of the greatest birthday's in my life.thanks, gurrls, for the "birthday gift" of giving me a ride and a place to stay @ no cost *hugs*

It was great meeting everyone at Broadfest, so many wonderful women gathered in one place, it was beautiful. I'm just sorry that there wasn't enough time to really get to talk to everyone, but I know there will be many more chances to meet up with mah Broads in the future!

As we were driving to the arena, Cindy in PA noticed Clay's car by the tour busses. I said, "no, it can't be" to which she replied "what kind of car is that?" OMG...It's a Silver!Volvo!Convertible! At this point, I said "if you can't find me after the concert, you'll know where to look" I think they thought I was joking.

Ok, onto the concert, or as I like to call it. No Love From Jerome:

I didn't really pay much attention to the Beu Sisters or Kelly (though, she's starting to grow on me) I was too busy trying to find a better seat. I scoped the arena, figured out where Clay would be coming in and decided which aisle my new seat would be in, then I went for a walk and took a rest-room break. I must say, I've never been serenaded in a public rest-room before, but anything can happen when the Broads are in town thanks for "A Moment Like This" KinRi!

Kelly's set over, I make my move to my new seat. I noticed that Filly Sue abandoned Irene and decided to claim a spot on the aisle too. We discuss touching the Aiken, when he walks past, I tell her not to reach out in front of Jerome, but behind him. We take our places on either side of the aisle and wait. The lights go out.Here. He. Comes. He looks so beautiful, I completely disregard my advice to Filly and reach my hand out, in front of Jerome. Clay actually switched his mic from his left to right hand and reached toward me with his left hand, we're mere inches away from touching and BAM! Jerome pushes my hand away *sniff* So close, but yet so far.

Everyone already knows how great the show was, so there is no need to go into it. I do need to mention one thing...George was in the house for ISY and He! Was! Hot!

After the show, I bolted for the door, went around the arena, and planted myself in front of the fence by the Volvo. I was the first one there! 30 minutes go by and, although a big crowd gathered, there is no sign of Cindy in PA or Cheyanne. I tell the people around me "I guess they thought I was joking when I said I'd be at Clay's car after the show" Someone offers me a ride back to the hotel, if my friends don't show up.Clay fans really are a caring bunch, aren't they? I knew mah Broads wouldn't abandon me, though and pretty soon, there they were! I turn to talk to them and the next thing I know, my place by the fence is taken.dangit, I went from having the prime spot, to not being next to the fence at all *sigh*

And now I present, No Love From Jerome Part II:

Suddenly, there are screams and, once again.Here. He. Comes. He looks so beautiful.he starts walking along the fence I run down to the end of the line, since someone stole my spot.it was really amazing seeing Clay interact with the children, he was so great with them! He's making his way along the fence, getting closer and closer.now he's only one person away from me, he looks at me begins to move to my spot by the fence, we're mere inches away from touching and BAM! Jerome pulls him away *sniff* So close, but yet so far (talk about d�j� vu) Well, at least I got to see natural Clay up close.he is just too beautiful for words.

It was great sleeping with four other Broads, and I do mean sleep. I was out like a light and nothing, not a dang thing, woke me. When I got up the following morning, I was told that Filly ripped the alarm-clock out of the wall, when it went off in the middle of the night (why hit the off button, when you can just yank it out, right Sue?) And, to top it off, Cheyanne kicked Irene out of the bed.I was oblivious to it all, dreaming of sweet, natural Clay.

As far as any "detours" on the ride to NC (and/or back to the hotel after the concert) I plead the fifth.who gave me that ding-dang map anyway? Oh, yeah.I did.

Cheyanne:

Cindy, Cindy in PA and I had been plotting and planning our trip to the W-S Broadfest for what seemed like months and finally the big day had arrived. We decided that because it was such a long drive we would leave late in the afternoon on Friday and drive at least halfway and then find a motel to spend the night so we would be rested for our big date Saturday night. Cindy and Cindy in PA arrived at my house shortly before 3:30 and we packed the car and after I kissed hubby goodbye we were on our way. About 8:00 we started to look for a place to spend the night and Harrisonburg, VA was that place, Motel 6 here we come. We checked in and then after checking in with the PPs we decided it was time to eat. We found a little Italian restaurant across the road from the motel and a cute little waiter who graciously granted our wish for one BIG pizza instead of the small one listed on the menu. Since it was Cindy's birthday she ordered dessert and we sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

After getting a good night's sleep we set off again, but not before we stopped for breakfast. We ordered and then while waiting for our food I decided to check out the jukebox to see if they had Clay. Cindy said they wouldn't but lo and behold there he was - Invisible - The Way so of course I had to play them. As our waitress passed by we noticed that she was singing along to Invisible and when she stopped at our booth we had to ask if she liked Clay Aiken. She said she only ever listened to him while she was working and we told her that we were on our way to see him in concert. I then went to the car and got a spare MOAM and presented it to her before we left.

We arrived in W-S shortly after 1:00 PM and the charming desk clerk (with the personality of a pit viper) at the motel informed us that our room wasn't ready yet. As we were leaving the motel we met another Broad, the lovely Grannytramp, Barbara and after introducing ourselves we were off to Walmart to kill some time until our room was ready. We finally got into our room a little before 3:00 and with little over an hour to get ready three Broads with one bathroom were very well organized and managed to get themselves presentable for their big date with the Broads at Bennigan's and later with Clay at the coliseum.

Meeting Broads is such a fulfilling experience. Here are others to whom no explanation is necessary. A beautiful, talented, intelligent group of women gathered to celebrate their love for the sweetest, most beautiful man on earth. I suddenly felt humbled to be a part of this group, the Lecherous Broads for Clay Aiken, who could also be called Lovely Broads for Clay Aiken or Loving Broads for Clay Aiken - because they were all of that and more. So many familiar names, now faces to go with those names.

Our other two Pennsylvania Broad buddies, Filly Sue and Irene in Philly, arrived at the restaurant in time to share in the Broadfest pre-concert festivities. On Friday afternoon they decided to drive to W-S without tickets or reservations. Soon it was time to leave for the concert and since Filly Sue and Irene in Philly had already been to the coliseum to pick up tickets and knew the way we followed them. Cindy in PA and I found our seats in the third row, which as it turned out were almost directly behind Mama Faye and brother, Brett. We were so close to both the stage and the catwalk, I was sure we would get great pictures. Kelly was on first and I took a few pictures because she was so close, then I realized that something was wrong with my camera. Dead battery! I was not a happy Broad. Then it was time for Clay and time to get the lovely Karen Nyere on the phone for her cellcert. Cindy had her camera and was able to get quite a few good shots. This was my third and last concert of the tour and I wanted to commit every second to memory so I decided that it was okay not to be concentrating on taking pictures. It was over too quickly and then he was gone and I was filled with much sadness knowing that I would not be seeing him again on this tour.

After the concert I was able to chat with sweet Karen for a few minutes, and then it was time to head back to the restaurant for the after-concert party - or so I thought, but I'll let someone else tell that part of the story.

After finally making it back to Bennigan's to say goodbye to the Broads, the five PA Broads stopped for a bite to eat and then it was time to go back to the motel - if only we could find it now that it was dark and we weren't sure of where we were going. We drove aimlessly, okay, I drove aimlessly and Irene and Sue followed. Finally, when we realized that we didn't know where we were we stopped and Irene told me that she was almost out of gas. So then we needed to find a gas station more than we needed to find the motel. We found a restaurant that was just closing and they directed us to a gas station where we finally got directions back to the motel - well, almost, but hey we found it eventually and it was only 3 AM. So now we have five Broads, two queen size beds and a nicely padded window seat, hmmm. Cindy in PA took the window seat while Sue and Cindy took one bed and Irene and I took the other. Sounds okay doesn't? Except for Irene who has just taken medication to help her relax and get to sleep - in an hour or so! So we, except for Irene, go to sleep and the next thing I know I am awakened by a loud thud - Irene fell out of bed. After making sure that Irene was okay we go back to sleep only to be awakened for a second time by the clock radio, that was mysteriously set to go off at what ever ungodly hour it was (I blamed it on the charming desk clerk). Did I mention that Cindy slept through both mishaps? Too soon it was time to get up and start our journey home, sniff, sniff. We hugged Sue and Irene goodbye and then we were on the road headed back to Pennsylvania and we didn't get lost once and that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Cindy in PA:

I am sure that Cindy and Cheyanne have filled you in on our drive to WS. May I just add concur that our server at the Italian restaurant in Harrisonburg VA was a real sweetheart and didn't even charge for Cindy's birthday cake!! What a doll!!

The day of the WS Broadfest and concert dawned and we were on the road again. After a brief unplanned detour, we arrived in Winston Salem. We immediately found our motel, but to our dismay, our room would not be ready for another couple of hours. It was then that we were delighted to meet Grannytramp Barbara in the parking lot. We all talked for a bit and then Cheyanne, Cindy and I headed for the local WalMart for our last minute necessities.

When we arrived at Bennigan's, it was extremely easy to find the Broads. There were purple balloons, a huge framed poster and a gorgeous cake featuring HRH.

Warm hugs were exchanged as well as many gifts. Might I add that I have a huge banker's box nearly full of Clay stuff from the concerts and I find it great fun to go through everything remembering which concert and which Broad each item came from. After meeting everyone, we barely had time to grab a bite to eat and head for the arena.

As we neared LJVM, Cindy and I noticed the tour buses. To my complete surprize, parked behind the security fencing was one silver Volvo convertible...now let me guess whose car that was!!

I won't describe the concert because you have already about how fabulous it was and the hot hot looks during ISY. Cheyanne and I were sitting in the third row, just a few seats from the catwalk and two rows directly behind Mama Faye. Neither of us approached her or anyone with her (male companion, Diane Bubel, Emma), but that was not the case with many others. Fans actually lined up for photos and autographs at every opportunity. I am proud to say that I did not see one Broad infringe on their privacy. Bravo to the Broads!!

After the last note of the concert had ended, Cheyanne and I found Filly Sue and Irene. Cindy was MIA, so Irene and I went to the bus area to discover that she was firmly planted at the silver Volvo. As we approached the fence area, Mama Faye and her group emerged from the backdoor. She walked to the fence and graciously thanked everyone for coming.

We had great fun screaming whenever Jacob, Angela or Quiana appeared. They took it in good fun and Jacob even came near the fence to talk to fans.

After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened and Jerome appeared with Clay following. The crowd erupted with screams and squeals as he walked to the fence. He stopped about 3-4 feet in front of me. He was freshly showered, no stage make-up, very little product in his hair. The pure, natural Clay shines with an unexplainable glow. I could count the freckles as he asked, "How y'all doing?" He made a special effort (or maybe it was no effort at all) to make contact with as many children as possible during his quick trip up and down the fence. Then, just as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared into the back seat of a white club-cab truck. The gate opened, the truck pulled out and he was gone.

We barely had time to make our way to the after party and give our thanks to all and say goodby. We found an IHOP that was open late so we could get a bite to eat and then back to the motel. Since Thelma and Louise (AKA Filly Sue and Irene) had no room, they stayed with us. Five PA broads in a room...what fun!! I chose to sleep on the wide padded window seat, just give me a pillow and blanket. I wasn't really alone on the window seat, you see I had on my Clevefest Tshirt so I got to spoon with Clay all night!!

Morning came too soon and we were on our way home!! I hope to see many of you during the solo tour, maybe Musikfest or Columbus!!

In conclusion, I have seen the sexy, snarky, prowling, gyrating, performing stage Clay from the third row twice. I have also seen the natural freckle faced Clay dressed in jeans and a hockey jersey, backpack slung over his shoulder, carrying empty tupperware containers at the fence. Which is more breathtaking? I will let you decide. I can tell you this, as long as he chooses to dazzle us on stage, we are fortunate. Someday, he will make a sensitive husband and caring father. But for now, we can all delight in both, the onstage and natural Clay!!

Filly Sue:

Every concert and Broadfest has it's stand out moments, it's own flavor and it's own special style. Aside from the most wonderful road trip ever with the most amazing Irene, having a blast with all the Broads at the Fest, following the Three C's around at 2:00 in the morning while trying to find the hotel they lost and laughing my butt off while they sought directions from a drunk, and then having a superb PJ party when we finally found the hotel, this is the Stand Out Moment: Irene and I were at our seats listening to Kelly's performance when I think Cindy had come by and then left on her customary pre-Clay prowling. I suddenly realized that I too could go look for a seat along the aisle where Clay would be coming in, and so I took off. I didn't even tell Irene where I was going. Some friend -- huh? My lack of loyalty to Irene was rewarded by an empty seat right along the short path Clay would be walking along. First I stood kind of near it -- then I sidled over and stood in front of it, next I started acting like I was listening to Kelly sing, but I wasn't -- my heart was pounding too loud. When Jerome came along checking the aisle out for nuts like me -- (thank God his radar was off that night) I knew I was in the right spot. I was feeling a little braver so I looked around and waved to Robin in back of me and a few other Broads in the area. I even went to the bathroom with Robin and came back and sat in the seat -- now it was really mine. Intermission took forever but I did not move. Pretty soon Cindy came along still on the hunt. She coached me on what to do when Clay walked by, then staked out her own squatter's rights. Then it started. The lights, the music, that ritualistic drum beat, then the siren call of Clay's voice. I saw him enter the floor just feet away and start his procession towards me. It was so slowmo. I just saw his hands -- holding the mic with one and reaching out and touching people with the other. He came closer, I reached out to touch his hand and missed. But my hand did land on his arm and he was near me long enough for me to slowly and reverently stroke his arm up and down. I saw his beautiful face as he sang next to me, felt the energy and light emanating from him, I touched his arm I think just to see if he is real, and have been on a cloud ever since.

After the concert was over, as if I weren't already radioactive enough from this encounter, I joined the two Cindy's, Irene and Cheyanne at the fence, where eagle-eye Cindy in PA had spotted his Volvo convertible parked. We waited until about 11:30, both cold and hungry. I had a hard time deciding between warmth and food or a possible Clay sighting. And then it happened. He came out. I didn't even notice him since he was off to the side and there was a guy who looked a bit like Clay walking more purposely towards the car. When I realized this was not Clay and looked around I saw the unassuming slightly bent figure with his head held down off to the side and away from the Volvo. Everything went slowmo again yet strangely too fast as he casually walked up to the fence where we were waiting. He was so adorable and exactly as K in RI described him -- a perfect elfin type of beauty. He had on a hockey jersey and was wearing a backpack -- probably with his jammies in for an overnight stay at his mom's. He was also carrying a Tupperware container which we imagined had contained a snack his mom or grandmom had brought for him with strict admonishments to make sure he brought the container back. I was right on the fence where he started and I know I had to have blacked out for a minute because the next thing I know, he's a few feet away saying "Thank you for coming." He was so natural -- so just Clay being Clay. Very soft spoken and reminding me for all the world of Mr. Rogers, especially when talking to the kids who were there. Oh, and he was kissing babies. He is just so gentle and kind. I had never seen this Clay before and have never sensed such a gentle soul. Now that I am more in love than ever before, what do I do?

Post Script - Irene and I were on the phone after Clay's AI3 performance and we admitted that for a brief moment when he started to tell Fantasia about being in Winston-Salem for the concert -- we each thought he would mention having seen us through the fence. Delusion is a wonderful thing.

Much Love and Thanks to Irene for making me embark on the Wild Weekend, to Cindy, for showing me The Way, to Cheyanne and Cindy in PA for their laughter, generosity and open hearts.

Irene:

Just like Thelma and Louise we drove to WS, with very little planning...

It had been my third concert..An amazing Broadfest at Benegan's meeting Broads I had only known by name...By the end of the evening, the names became sisters...A closeness, a silliness, a bonding of women with one thing in common...The love of Clay...The thrill of being so close to him at the concert and being surrounded by thousands of women, of all ages, who knew exactly how I felt was magical.

The ride home from WS (to PA) was satisfying...We stopped to have a real NC BBQ, what Clay would have had. Driving up north with memories, and Clay's music blasting in the car.Every so often I'd look over to Thelma (Filly Sue) and I saw the face of complete contentment...Once in a while our eyes met, we smiled, and Only SHE knew how I felt...Only another Broad could really get what I was feeling...The drive didn't seem so long...As I dropped Sue at her house and drove home I realized it was back to reality...Bills, Job hunting, Dr.'s appointments, dieting, etc...

But for those three days we were some place else...It was truly magical.So Thelma and Louise (me, Irene, Philly) may be off once again to capture the magical mystery of the one and only Clayton Holmes Aiken.

~ Cindy
~ Cheyanne
~ Cindy in PA
~ Filly Sue
~ Irene

Posted by: Wendy in Fl