With budding maturity, David Archuleta captures two years’ worth of introspection and reflection, dozens of songwriting sessions, long days spent in the studio and nights in the air, all leading to The Other Side of Down, his highly anticipated second album.
Not only the follow up to David’s 2008 self-titled debut, it’s a reintroduction to the American Idol runner-up with the angelic voice who 30 million television viewers fell in love with during season 7—now older, wiser, with faith still on his side and an eternally optimistic wide-eyed outlook. Hence, the album’s title. “For me, it’s about moving forward and making progress,” David explains. “I’m heading towards ‘the other side of down,’ which is ‘up.’”
Here at The Voice we offer a chance to chat and watch David sing on our UNPLUGGED channel on Livestream. Every Saturday night fans gather together to share the enjoyment of watching David Archuleta perform and talk about his career in videos. For me, it might be the single most enjoyable part of the week.
We have fun discussing each video. It brings David to life again in a special way. Recently, we watched an AOL sessions interview where David talks about the upcoming events he had planned since the American Idols Live Tour ended the previous summer of 2008. He was excited at the prospect of having his own tour to support his new eponymous CD, David Archuleta.
credit: DavidArchCook
While watching the interview, I suddenly got the idea to tell David ( talking to my computer screen is normal, right? ) about what lies ahead for him in the future. As if to reassure him that his career was solid and the upcoming solo tour was just the beginning of a grand adventure for him and his fans! It was such a spontaneous reaction to the interview that everyone in the chat room joined in. I decided to copy our chat log with permission from all those who participated.
10:32 PM Abrra: hey David you will sing in 5 languages
10:32 PM Marlie7: You will sing in front of 22,000 people four nights in a row with MOTAB
10:33 PM Emifriend: You will star in a romantic soap opera in Asia
10:33 PM betsy: You will have your own mini series
10:33 PM skydancer1x: you will have people travel from around the world to see your concerts
10:33 PM Marlie7: You will mesmerize your fans with 2 Christmas tours
Credit kimmiedavid
10:33 PM Marlie7: You will release an album of Philippine love songs
Credit: Arlu Gomez
10:33 PM MT: And people will fall in love with you.
10:33 PM dayzee: and we will wait 2 years
10:34 PM betsy: You will release an album of your favorite covers
Credit: Deseret Books/David Archuleta.com
10:34 PM Marlie7: And you will sing a Christmas concert in Santiago Chile that we watch from around the world
10:34 PM Emifriend: a Google search on your name will reveal this many links: About 9,910,000 results
10:35 PM betsy: Your older videos will continue to be watched
10:35 PM skydancer1x: you will have over a million followers on Twitter
10:35 PM Marlie7: You will be a model for clothes and hair products
Bench Fix
Bench
10:36 PM Emifriend: You will sing for Obama at the White House but pay more attention to his guests than to him
10:36 PM betsy: You will sing a Stevie Wonder song in a bar with a phone reminding you of the lyrics
10:37 PM Emifriend: You will do a photo shoot in your undershirt
10:37 PM betsy ban: You will dougie
10:38 PM Marlie7: You will sing in Spanish over and over at different Latin events
10:38 PM betsy: You will twit pic your dental visits
10:38 PM Emifriend: You will be fed by hand in Malaysia
10:38 PM skydancer1x: you will be responsible for a disease called ODD
10:39 PM betsy: You will write a beautiful song from your heart and call it Broken
10:39 PM Emifriend: Strange women will send you clothes and monogrammed stationary, hand made scarves
10:39 PM dayzee: and bring you chocolate from Argentina
10:40 PM Marlie7: You will tour with McFly in England
Credit Mike Krompass MySpace page
10:40 PM MT: people will spend their Saturday nights listening to you sing while you’re a world away
When you consider all we said, it only scratched the surface of his accomplishments. The best part is that we have pictures and video of all of his events to carry us though these times when he is on his mission. I want to invite everyone to stop by our UNPLUGGED channel http://www.livestream.com/thevoiceunplugged. Or just click on hot mess hair on the upper left sidebar.
It’s starting to look like an Archu-drought for the first time in a long time. When the word came back that Elder Archuleta wanted us to focus less on him and more on our own commitments, it was not a problem for me. The biggest joy in my life is helping with this fan site. I don’t know if I could sit on the sidelines. Being a super fan is my commitment of choice. It is a therapeutic exercise, I might even say a challenge, to find things to write about while he is away.
Lately I have been missing @DavidArchie’s tweets. We do get updates on his music releases and surprise pictures from his manager’s camera, but it’s just not the same vibe. There is nothing like hearing from the man, himself. David has a way of sharing his experiences. Sharing his zest for life that makes us feel as if we are standing beside him as he tweets. I long for the real thing, ya know what I mean?
@DavidArchie announced his leap to twitter on (drum roll) April 28, 2009.
David Archuleta Confirms Official Twitter
From Just Jared Jr fan site: David shared, “I think it’s a great way to communicate with people and I get to respond to people sometimes. Just to let you know the random thoughts in my head…it’s fun that way. I know it doesn’t make sense a lot of times (laughs).”
Here is a clip from JoshSkinnerMusic’s interview with MTV’s Jim Cantiello about David Archuleta and Twitter.
He took to twitter in such an honest and natural manner, it makes us feel like he is talking to us-personally! I have said a few times that I bet we get a David tweet from the plane as he is landing back in Utah when his mission is done in 2014.
I remember when he made his announcement. One of the first things I did was copy his twitter timeline messages. Times were uncertain and I feared his account would close. I am glad now, because there is a whole year missing from the timeline as of today. I suppose there are space considerations and there is a cut off around April 2010. His twitter timeline is a history of his experiences with travel, concerts, fans, songwriting, food, and philosophy.
Many in show business use social media to promote only their own career happenings. He communicates with his fans which helps us stay connected. David feels inspired by other artists and uses his tweets to mention a concert he has attended or a new song he has enjoyed. Everyone benefits from hearing new music, right?
David with members of We the Kings
@DavidArchie 19 Jan 10 Here’s a song for the one who stole my heart, and ran so far that cupid couldn’t catch her – awesome We the Kings song!”
@DavidArchie 4 Feb 10 Awesome show by Owl City! Had good times.
@DavidArchie 16 Jun 11 Left t0tally inspired last night after watching @thecivilwars show. What a duo!
@DavidArchie 2 Feb 10 Woo hoo! RT @realbrookewhite Everyone lets go get it! RT: @CarlySmithson: Bury me alive just went live on iTunes !!!!!!!!
Often, he shares what is happening in the moment. We get a glimpse of daily life, just being himself. There is less of a feeling of separation when he shares the small and large events that make up his day. @DavidArchie 19 Jan 10 In the chair at the haircut place getting a haircut! Ah, refreshing!
@DavidArchie 8 Aug 10 Went on a really nice hike up a quiet trail. I need to do that a lot more often.
@DavidArchie 15 Mar 10 Changing the kitty litter box. Exciting, I know.
@DavidArchie 6 Oct 10 Warming up my voice in the car. Driver says “sounds like an alien spaceship.” Haha I guess it kinda does.
Responding to rumors! Oh how we fan the flames when David is seen near a young female. *GASP* We only want the best for him, right?
@DavidArchie 19 Feb 10 @OrganicArchie Haha! If I had one then maybe it’d be true! That was the Real soccer game I performed at and I was with my friends!
@DavidArchie 19 Feb 10 @OrganicArchie Oh man that was hilarious, I just showed my mom and sent it to that girl too! I guess we happened to be standing close huh?
Funny hijinks on airplanes! How interesting that he loves to ride roller coasters as long as they are not 20,000 feet off the ground.
@DavidArchie 17 Mar 10 On the airplane… There are a lot of cheerleaders and volleyball players on board… Uh… lol.
@DavidArchie 17 Mar 10 Now running away from all the cheerleaders and volleyball players! Ahh!!
@DavidArchie 5 Feb 10 Oh my heck, this plane is TINY!! It only has 9 rows and has the propellers on it!
@DavidArchie 5 Feb 10 Well that was exciting. It was like a roller coaster ride, and only like 7 people on the plane.
@DavidArchie 11 Nov 10 15 hour flight tonight. No phone or computer for a whole day. Time to just do some thinking, pondering, and reading
What was it about learning to change the oil (or drive a stick shift) that caused much speculation by fans. I think we knew something was up?
@DavidArchie 29 Jul 11 Learning how to change the oil and spark plugs on the car. Taking a break eating some really good enchiladas though.
@DavidArchie 21 Jan 10 Sometimes I wish I could just wear the same thing every day. Cartoons do it. It’d make things a lot easier.
@DavidArchie 6 Apr 10 Back in LA. Nice to have sunny weather again. Practicing my Spanish with the driver! Haha. He’s really cool.
Ah the food tweets! David Archuleta possibly has the most varied taste in food of anyone I know.
@DavidArchie 9 Oct 10 At dinner there was a homecoming group & a girl turned & said “You look exactly like David Archuleta! You must get that a lot huh”
@DavidArchie 9 Oct 10 She later turned again & said “you’re cool too though, you don’t have to be David Archuleta to be cool.” Lol well thanks.
@DavidArchie 19 Oct 10 Looking at food magazines. Makes me wanna learn how to cook! It’d be cool to make your own food and add the flavors and stuff.
@DavidArchie 10 Nov 10 Just had a really good Brazillian organic granola acai bowl. Has kind of a long name.
@DavidArchie 26 Jan 10 In the studio working with @theMessengersNA . Had some Israeli food for lunch for my first time. it was good!
A few hair tweets! It looks like a party. Asking fans for advice is nothing new for David.
@DavidArchie 24 Feb 10 I think it’s time for me to get a haircut today. thoughts or opinions?
@DavidArchie 24 Feb 10 @CaarlaaCaarteer Haha I know I don’t want to cut it too short. Just a trim so it doesn’t fall down and look like a bowl on my head.
@DavidArchie 24 Feb 10 @xoPaMxo96 Longerish? haha. I don’t know how to style it when it’s longerish though.
@DavidArchie 24 Feb 10 Put up a new video blog! That way you can see why I’m trying to change how my hair looks lol
@DavidArchie 24 Feb 10 @lexeebel Oh I bet that would be really attractive… lol.
@DavidArchie 24 Feb 10 All right enough with the mohawks! lol
@DavidArchie 24 Feb 10 @xthe_truthx3 Oh man one time when I was 15 the haircut ladies forced me to put red highlights in my hair! Good thing you couldn’t tell!
@DavidArchie 6 Mar 10 I don’t think I can handle this no haircut thing for much longer.
@DavidArchie 16 Mar 10 @CarolinaGyrl00 no haircut yet. Idk what to do with it so just keeping the beanies on lol.
And last but not least, I will end his tweet feast, from the random to the deep. @DavidArchie 8 Mar 10 “Think of a car driving through the night. The headlights only go 100 to 200 ft. forward, and you can make it all the way from…
@DavidArchie 8 Mar 10 California to New York driving through the dark, because all you have to see is the next 200 feet. And that’s how life tends to..
@DavidArchie 8 Mar 10 Unfold before us. If we just trust that the next 200 ft. Will unfold after that, your life will keep unfolding, and eventually…
@DavidArchie 8 Mar 10 Get you to the destination of whatever it is you truly want…”
We wait patiently for the headlights in the distance that will deliver David Archuleta back to us safe and sound.
Note:
As of this writing, @DavidArchie has approximately 1,250,000 followers on Twitter. Despite a 2 year absence from his career, the number rises daily. He continues to draw attention in the industry as well as attract new fans by releasing music and videos while he is away on a mission in Chile for the LDS Church.
“Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”
― E.L. Doctorow
Being an admin here at The Voice is an honor for me. It gives me the chance to help promote David’s career by sharing news and information about him with those who visit.
The most recent job I took on was to fill the empty space on the sidebars of this site with images of David. I wanted to tell a story with pictures to show a newcomer (or remind longtime fans) what David has been doing since he tried out for American Idol. Looking to the left or right, you can see the variety of experiences that David has had. Many are from news sources capturing David at an event or from various professional photo shoots such as Matt Clayton, Bench, or album art. My personal favorites are those taken by fans. Fans are my favorite people and I wanted to honor those who took the time to post for all to enjoy. We can’t all be present at appearances or shows, but the fans who were fortunate enough to attend have generously shared their pictures. With the addition of their photos, we see David’s story unfold.
The story in pictures is a representation of the many events, appearances, interviews, and performances in which David has participated. His career has taken him around the world as he shared his gift of music. Since age 16 when David auditioned for American Idol, he has been on the fast track to stardom. One of the drawbacks for this was being away from his family more than he had ever been before. When he signed on to be in the competition, he knew that he was essentially going on lock down from the world he knew in Utah. Although his father was his roommate while on Idol, his mother could only see him on television or from her seat in the audience, or occasionally attend some off day event with the other parents and the contestants. It’s quite a sacrifice both ways, for David and his parents, to give up the time for the good of his career.
Here we are 4 years later in much the same situation, only the venue has changed. He took us around the world with him and taught us so much about things we may never get the chance to do such as visiting lepers in India or a museum in Jakarta. Each one is a reminder of where he has been and shared his gift of not only music, but himself. Currently, David is approximately 5,742 miles from home doing something he felt in his heart was what he needed to do to feel fulfilled in his faith. It shows what a grounded adult he has become.
Sometimes, it isn’t just about the music and being a star.
It is about growth.
That is the story I wanted to tell in pictures.
If you see a photo that reminds you of an event you attended, tell us about it!
It was a sunny Sunday morning ride to do a favor for an out of town friend. I had to feed her cats. As usual my iPod was hooked into the car stereo and “Something ‘Bout Love” was playing. Pulling up to the stoplight, I was first in line to go when it changed to green.
There’s something ’bout love that breaks your heart
Woah, oh, oh, oh
It sets you free
There’s something ’bout love that tears you up
Woah, oh, oh, oh
You still believe
A man was standing on the grassy island that separates the traffic coming to the stoplight at this busy intersection. He was simply dressed in a white long sleeve jersey and dark colored sweat pants. A baseball cap shaded his head from the sun. The most remarkable thing about him was that he held a sign. I was not sure why he was there until I read the sign.
It said, Homeless. Anything will help out. Thank you.
The skeptic side of me wanted to dismiss this scene and not look at the man. My heart told me to look him in the eye. It’s amazing how a few seconds spent sizing up a man holding a sign will soften your resolve to just drive past him. Did I believe that this man was motivated by self interest? You bet I did. If no one was going to hand him a place to live, he was going to do everything in his power to get by, including standing on a street begging for money. I can respect that. Did I consider that he might be an addict looking to pay for his next fix? I did. I can’t even imagine the pain that an addict feels, when in need of a fix. I decided not to press him for details on what brought him to this place in his life. Secretly, I hoped he would make the most out of what donations he got on this day. Maybe enough for a warm bed and a hot meal. The offer of a job, rather than a handout of cash, would surely help his situation most of all.
When the world falls down like rain
It’ll bring you to your knees
Something ’bout love that breaks your heart
Woah, oh, oh, oh
But don’t give up
There’s something ’bout love
Why do I bring this up now, you ask? I want to highlight the fact that no matter how comfortable we are in our lives, there are still so many others who struggle each day for a meal and a bed to sleep on. There are reasons why folks find themselves in dire need such as job loss or unexpected illness that can wipe out a family’s resources. I am inspired by David’s example of giving to those in need. There are organizations in every state that serve the homeless. Their budgets have been cut to the bone, making it difficult to maintain programs for the poor. Getting involved by volunteering and donating at food banks and shelters would serve this need so well. To get information on what you can do locally go here:
Your day will come
The past is gone
So take your time
Live and let live
I had a brief exchange with the man who stood on the grass holding his sign. He thanked me in a soft voice. When the light changed to green, I was on my way again. David sang “I won’t shed a tear, just as long as you stand by me.” It doesn’t happen too often, but I had tears in my eyes. For the man who had to resort to standing on the street to beg for money to live just another day in paradise.
I saw this headline above a poll on a website that targets a young demographic:
“Do you think David Archuleta will be as famous when he returns from his two-year mission?”
Immediately it occurred to me that the timing of this question was all wrong. It’s too soon to ask because he practically just left for his mission. His status as a famous singer at this point is pretty much established. The release of two very different albums that are still fresh in the minds of fans confirms this.
Luckily for fans, David has dedicated management in Kari Sellards. For the time he is away it will be on her shoulders to keep the home fires burning with fans.
Considering that he has the opportunity to sing while on his mission is a huge advantage. It keeps his voice in shape and feeds the love he has for singing before a crowd. Keeps the instrument fine tuned, so to speak.
When David made the decision to put his career on hold to go on a church mission, he began his reinvention plan. To leave the young kid from American Idol and move on to build upon his foundation for a well-defined life and career. What better way to find yourself than to go where no one knows you. A fresh start in a far off land has given David time to reconnect with himself. He seems to have a long-term plan in mind.
While we fans want nothing more than to see him happy, David realizes in his heart what has to happen to accomplish his happiness. Right now he is fulfilling a life long dream to serve. I believe that as fans, we will realize the benefits of this journey for many years to come.
Realizing that I can do nothing but wait, I am more focused on what will be happening when David returns to the world of entertainment. The question that comes to my mind is: With so much time away, how will David reinvent his career? He has told us “I can’t wait to bring back that person I become.” What will this “new” David show us about what he has learned and applied to his craft while away? I want to believe part of what he will bring is new original songs. He is acquiring such a variety of life experiences that will surely prompt some deep lyrics ala “Broken”.
Taking his music in a whole different direction is not unusual for David. He has sung individual songs in foreign languages. Will being immersed in the Spanish language give him the confidence to finally assemble a full Spanish album? Imagine the impact on his career this would have. A whole new continent of fans in the southern hemisphere. Can Europe be far behind?
Dr. Abrra’s advice to David Archuleta:
Stay with family. Learn to say NO. Readjust to the fast-paced life of Utah and LA. Date and spend time with those you care for the most. Reestablish ties with industry people who have expressed an interest in your music. Reacquaint yourself with those who showed you no interest in the past. They might be pleased to see the growth in your person. Hire a stylist. Open for an established singer. This will help to get your new stage skills honed. Dance, dance, dance on stage! Avoid auditioning for The Voice TV show. Check in with the Sony Asia, TV5 and Bench folks. Publish the songs you have already written. Record them in Nashville or LA where you have contacts. Sign up for Music Composition and related courses. You can do these online. It will help your skills in writing and arranging songs. Write an outline for a book on your experiences while in Chile. Plan and execute the biggest fan appreciation concert tour the US has ever seen. Include cities in Canada and the deep south USA.
From the time that David announced his plan to go on a mission for his church, I have tried to give solace to those who were disappointed and sad. It’s not an easy task to convince someone that the hurt they are experiencing is temporary. David himself wrote a song about putting one foot in front of the other. You move forward,past the hard times in life, coming out the other side a stronger person. I envisioned, as many will, moving forward in a straight line out to one’s destiny.
Recently I heard something that changed the way I think about this.
It was early morning. It was my day off. Still in bed, listening to a podcast where the topic was a blend of creation and destiny. The heady discussion was enlightening, covering topics about ancient spiritual traditions and quantum physics. I won’t go into all that in detail, but one concept gave me pause. It was about the basic design of all the universe, a spiral. Spirals represented the true nature of time. Cyclical, not linear as we interpret it. The atom, the DNA helix, the solar system, the galaxy, the way your hair grows in a spiral from your scalp, and the way water circles a drain is a spiral.
This gave me the idea that if you can think of David’s path as a spiral and not a straight line, you can take comfort from this concept. He is not walking away. He is moving in a direction that will bring him back full circle to us. A line is singular and a spiral is all encompassing. Think of it this way, no matter how long he is gone, he is never far from the center (us). Speaking recently in a press conference, David admitted he needs to go and experience sacrifice for his personal growth. I admire him for realizing this and doing what he must to accomplish this goal. We fans will have a different form of sacrifice. Less communication from David will be a test of loyalty for some. He understands this and will leave us with some music which will allow us to grab the tail of the spiral and hang on for the next 2 years.
“How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?”
Bob Dylan
David is 21 years old today. By most cultural standards, he is a man. He has chosen to launch his adulthood in service to his fellow-man. I could not be more proud of David at this time. He is giving up so much. His family, friends, and putting his lucrative career on hold. All so he can minister to others far from home. Taking this opportunity to move forward on his path in life is nothing short of amazing when one considers how most young men would rather be safe in the shelter of their community. David will demonstrate his manhood by taking off on a journey that will test his mental, physical, and spiritual abilities. He has taken the time over the last few months to prepare himself to be more self-sufficient in a place that might lack the most basic of resources. Young adult men often desire to learn how to drive a manual transmission car or change the oil as a hobby. For David it was an assignment he took on to prepare his life skills for his mission. It is difficult to compare David at age 21 with others his age. He is blind to age, gender, race,and religion when it comes to lending a helping hand. He communicates a special heart connection that shows selflessness, compassion, and the willingness to step into the unknown to help another person. This unconditional love is a gift he shares much like the gift of song that drew us to him in the first place. He is blessed and uses his blessing for good.
Happy Birthday, David Archuleta! You have lived all your life to come to this point in time where you will move forward to serve God and his children. Today you are a man, my son. Go in peace and bang your drum with all your heart, might, mind and strength for mankind.
Therefore am I still A lover of the meadows and the woods And mountains, and of all that we behold From this green earth; of all the mighty world Of eye and ear, both what they half create And what perceive; well pleased to recognize In nature, and the language of the sense, The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse, The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul, Of all my moral being.
William Wordsworth, 1798
Recently David tweeted a majestic picture from the coastline of California. His comment was about seeing the ocean and mountains in the same scene as he drove along the California Pacific Coast Highway. I thought to myself how nice it was that he had the time to take such a beautiful picture when most of his days are spent in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. The view gave him a glimpse of two of the natural elements he enjoys the most. Seeing them in one place caused such an excitement that he had to share it with his fans. A connection was made.
View from the Pacific Coastal Hwy. Photo credit David Archuleta
For me there was a message hidden in that picture that I intend to heed. We hear the phrase “Stop and smell the roses” but do we really make the effort to follow through? Being caught up in a daily routine that allows for little time for things that seem less important, can take the life out of the moment. David inspired me to take the long way home and enjoy the sights that the country roads I travel every day provide. The baled hay sitting in the fields stacked like boxes. Large, orange pumpkins still on the vine, waiting patiently to be selected by a child who is eager to carve a scary face on it for Halloween. Farm stands who have served their usefulness in sharing the summer’s bounty with passers-by, now offer colorful chrysanthemums to grace local gardens. These are the scenes that I see most frequently on my ride home each day. I am reminded that I live in a small farming community that is about providing for others. I look forward to the coming days when the leaves turn color and brighten my way with fiery red bursts and shades of russet. This may seem small when compared to the majestic scenery of the California coastline, but it serves my desire to take time out and look around at the beauty of what I have close to home.
Pied Beauty
Glory be to God for dappled things— For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim; Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; And all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.
All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) With swíft, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim; He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise Him.
Gerald Manley Hopkins 1918
“It’s usually the little things that make the big difference in our lives.” David Archuleta, October 6, 2011
Beach in Okinawa
So I am grateful to David, that he is an influence in my life that helps me see things more clearly. If you have had a moment recently where you stopped and took time for a good look at something in your area that gave you great pleasure to observe, please share it with us in comments?
Let the world always remember,
That fateful day in September,
And the ones who answered duties call,
Should be remembered by us all.
Who left the comfort of their home,
To face perils as yet unknown,
An embodiment of goodness on a day,
When men’s hearts had gone astray.
Sons and daughters like me and you,
Who never questioned what they had to do,
Who by example, were a source of hope,
And strength to others who could not cope.
Heroes that would not turn their back,
With determination that would not crack,
Who bound together in their ranks,
And asking not a word of thanks.
Men who bravely gave their lives,
Whose orphaned kids and widowed wives,
Can proudly look back on their dad,
Who gave this country all they had.
Actions taken without regret,
Heroisms we shall never forget,
The ones who paid the ultimate price,
Let’s never forget their sacrifice.
And never forget the ones no longer here,
Who fought for the freedoms we all hold dear,
And may their memory never wane,
Lest their sacrifices be in vain.
Alan W. Jankowski
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!
I was reflecting on the recent twitter explosion when David’s account was compromised. Words were said that threw the twitter fans into disbelief. Sometimes a celebrity’s online identity is “stolen”, with resulting fallout that can expose them to losing fans. There is a phrase: “the power of the printed word” that rings true in this case where some fans fell for the hoax. Does reading it make it so? Much was made of the fact that there were three separate sources that were sending “David’s” tweets. A hacker was exposed! The true David Archuleta came back after adjusting his password. The fan world was at peace again!
As I read the drama unfolding on twitter, a question came to mind.
How much David is enough?
We all have are own answer. In a manner of speaking, we all have are own relationship with David, the artist. I put this question to some fan friends to see what kind of responses I would get. I simply asked the question without explanation. I wanted to see how we are alike or different after three years of history with our favorite singer.I was interested in understanding what boundaries they would set on their relationship as a fan.
Let me share with you the replies.
¶”I think there is something in every fan, a natural curiosity in us, that wants to know everything! but there is such a thing as too much information.”
¶”For me, I could never get enough of his music, never. I love and respect him enough that i am fine not knowing any personal stuff.”
¶”I haven’t gotten nearly enough of him performing live and I want to shake his hand and meet him face to face’
¶”He is like part of my family now, because i have integrated him into my daily life.
¶”In our “fan-tasy” world, no amount of David is ever enough. We would love to watch his every move and know his every thought, at any given moment. However, he is a human being not just an object of our fascination. He has a life to live and his purpose in life is not to amuse or entertain us. Therefore, although I check Twitter diligently in the hopes of catching any morsel of news, story, sighting, however minor, of him, I am fully aware that every tweet, vlog, off-stage fan-picture, is icing on the cake and a gift to us. For me, I truly just want him to put out as much as music as his heart desires; as fans we are entitled to anything more.”
¶”When I know I can get as much David as I want, I am more content and maybe need him less. As far as a concert goes, I would go see him in a heartbeat, anytime he comes near.I still want to read about him every day, still want to listen to him every day. So if I can do that, and maybe see him a couple times a year, that would be enough.”
¶”I think David and his messages,meant to come through his voice, is needed so badly in this world right now. He is meant to do great things.Of this, I am certain. So how much David is enough?There can never be enough.Never. “
My take on this topic is that while I hope to have David and his music in my life to my last breath, I know that some things in his life could change that could either remove David from the music scene, or cause him to be less available to perform. Would my role as a fan change? Not really. I respect that any such decision made by him would be well vetted.
As long as he wants to make music, write songs or endorse charities, I am there. Whatever the future holds or decision he makes for himself, I will be a fan. If he needs to take time away for personal matters, I will understand. Judging from what he has said over the years, music is something he plans to continue doing as a career. Life can get complicated at times, but keeping your eye on the prize is what matters most.
His role as an artist is just one part of who he is. It is the public part of his life that we fans have shared with him. Being overly invested in his success as an artist could lead to heavy disappointment for some. David operates on his own time schedule. At times this seems slower then we like. In the past 6 months, events have settled into a calmer routine. There are stretches of time that appear to those not inside his inner circle that he is taking a break. We find out later that he has re-recorded his CD with bonus tracks and planned a tour to Asia! He is busy even when we think otherwise. I trust that he can find the right balance in songwriting, performing and touring to maintain himself in the business.
Fame comes with a price, a Catch-22 of sorts. To be a successful singer you must to give up your anonymity and with that comes a certain loss of privacy. David has done exceptionally well at preserving his privacy. He tells us just enough to allow us to feel a connection to him beyond his celebrity. I am content knowing just enough to keep me interested in who he is as a person as well as an artist
Whatever David wants to share with me as a fan, is enough David for me.
Abrra
bebereader
djafan
Angelica
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