Post by Catherine Williams on Jul 11, 2008 13:59:18 GMT -8
Last Friday 2 of our md.com forum members went to see Michael in concert in NY. They wanted to share their memories with everyone on the forum, so thank you Bethann for your lovely review and Sheri for sharing a few of your photos.
On the ride to Albany Thursday all I could think about was Friday. It was pouring down raining and I prayed it wouldn't be for the concert. I woke up Friday to Michael's phone call saying I was going to sound check. I looked out the window and it was bright and cheerful. My friend, Wendy, and I were so excited.
Our first meeting was tearful. I was more excited to see Janeen as this was our first meeting. Pictures do not do her justice. She is just sheer beauty. She has the same heart as Michael. We hugged and cried and kissed. He kept telling me, "Your coach thinks you look amazing!" We got in the car and were off to sound check.
Sound check was fantastic. Michael's voice was stronger than ever. I met Sheri from Minnesota who is my twin from another life. We hit it off and went from there. I never thought that my friendship with Michael would bring so many wonderful, caring people into my life in the form of his fans.
At 4:00 Michael opened with "Getting So Much Better". It gave me goose bumps. His voice was so strong and resonant and those beautiful blue eyes beamed. You could tell he was as happy to be there as we were to see him. Why do I love Michael? Because during sound check he met a little girl called Tracy. All she wanted to do was dance with him. He told her they would do that later and he never goes back on his word. He had the girl brought up on stage during "Rock On". His eyes were as bright as hers as they danced, hugged and kissed. I cried but I wasn't alone, there wasn't a dry eye in the front row. I can still see that little girl's smile. And "Rock On" was the best I've ever heard.
Then during "Was It Nothing At All" while I was videoing for Tom, I realized that he had changed the name Elaine to Beth Ann and I cried buckets again. I felt then that this was truly all for me. Michael's rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Tom was so him with his bizarre sense of humor. He also sang a new song, "Never Forget You". I will never forget Michael and how he made the 4th of July so special. The song gave me goose bumps and I can't wait for it to come out on cd.
The whole day was truly amazing. His performance was only 45 minutes and it just wasn't enough. The fireworks began early and ended too quickly. After the concert he met with his fans and signed autographs for three hours. When the little girl he danced with showed up, he lit up again. He treated her like she was the only one there, making her feel so special. That is the man I love, the man with the biggest heart.
I cannot begin to put into words what an awesome event this was. Even having my wheelchair pushed into a pine tree didn't bother me. Michael was pushing it after all.
Beth Ann Thompson
You can watch a video of Michael performing "Rock On" at the concert on YouTube
On the ride to Albany Thursday all I could think about was Friday. It was pouring down raining and I prayed it wouldn't be for the concert. I woke up Friday to Michael's phone call saying I was going to sound check. I looked out the window and it was bright and cheerful. My friend, Wendy, and I were so excited.
Our first meeting was tearful. I was more excited to see Janeen as this was our first meeting. Pictures do not do her justice. She is just sheer beauty. She has the same heart as Michael. We hugged and cried and kissed. He kept telling me, "Your coach thinks you look amazing!" We got in the car and were off to sound check.
Sound check was fantastic. Michael's voice was stronger than ever. I met Sheri from Minnesota who is my twin from another life. We hit it off and went from there. I never thought that my friendship with Michael would bring so many wonderful, caring people into my life in the form of his fans.
At 4:00 Michael opened with "Getting So Much Better". It gave me goose bumps. His voice was so strong and resonant and those beautiful blue eyes beamed. You could tell he was as happy to be there as we were to see him. Why do I love Michael? Because during sound check he met a little girl called Tracy. All she wanted to do was dance with him. He told her they would do that later and he never goes back on his word. He had the girl brought up on stage during "Rock On". His eyes were as bright as hers as they danced, hugged and kissed. I cried but I wasn't alone, there wasn't a dry eye in the front row. I can still see that little girl's smile. And "Rock On" was the best I've ever heard.
Then during "Was It Nothing At All" while I was videoing for Tom, I realized that he had changed the name Elaine to Beth Ann and I cried buckets again. I felt then that this was truly all for me. Michael's rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Tom was so him with his bizarre sense of humor. He also sang a new song, "Never Forget You". I will never forget Michael and how he made the 4th of July so special. The song gave me goose bumps and I can't wait for it to come out on cd.
The whole day was truly amazing. His performance was only 45 minutes and it just wasn't enough. The fireworks began early and ended too quickly. After the concert he met with his fans and signed autographs for three hours. When the little girl he danced with showed up, he lit up again. He treated her like she was the only one there, making her feel so special. That is the man I love, the man with the biggest heart.
I cannot begin to put into words what an awesome event this was. Even having my wheelchair pushed into a pine tree didn't bother me. Michael was pushing it after all.
Beth Ann Thompson
You can watch a video of Michael performing "Rock On" at the concert on YouTube