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photo credit Shelley#2015
The long drought was finally over! The two shows in Idaho Falls had been the stuff we dreamed about for years. Our golden voice was back. We were riding on clouds. Saturday night our euphoria suddenly ended in Layton. I was second row center and could see David’s lips moving and heard no sound. A short “erk”, a small “ech”. People behind me were saying there was something wrong with the sound, but I could see it was something wrong with David. After a valiant effort to sing several songs, David left the stage.
He came back with Kirt Bateman, Executive Director of Davis Arts Council to announce David would return with a Christmas gift for us. Mr. Bateman’s arm was around David while on the stage. How many times have we seen that picture? David draws hugs.
photo credit Shelley#2015
You have probably read Kirt’s email to us, but I want to repeat it here:
“Mr. Archuleta with a fever, no voice, aching body, and virtually no energy, went out on that stage in front of 1700 expectant people on Saturday and, like the true star he is, gave them all that he had! Why? …. he’s a man of integrity and wanted to give you the show he had planned and rehearsed for you.”
David talking the words to MKOP was the most memorable part of that evening for me. He said he did not want to spoil the words with his imperfect singing voice. It was the most moving rendition of that song I have heard.
credit Pamela Pike
Monday night was better, but all singing done low-key and in a lower key. No high notes. Few glory notes, though he often made the effort. At least he was singing. Love and respect were tangible.
Both nights David’s band led by Kendra did a number without David to give him a rest. They were great.
Loved the brother/sister act. David ran off the stage mid-concert. We were so worried. A minute later he returned with sister in tow. He announced that she was going to speak for him so he could save his voice to sing. Pretty obvious that she had not volunteered for this assignment. A little hemming and hawing and then she said she only found out about this an hour ago.
credit Pamela Pike
David got in her face “Excuses, excuses” he said as a brother would. Jazzy grudgingly began (as a sister would) and soon became more comfortable and smiley. Later she returned and did a second reading of his notes.
Towards the end David said he had not had enough time to write any more thoughts out for Jazzy to read. He told us he wanted to talk to us and tell us things but he also wanted to sing for us. There was such anguish in his voice, on his face. A little leaking around the eyes.
I did not expect him to come out for an encore. He seemed completely spent. But there he was. Still gamely giving his all for us. His mother and her sister were lovely and covered much of the singing on the encore.
My companion that night had never seen David in person. I told her she would love him. And she did. Her favorite song was Glorious and I never expected David to last long enough to sing that last song.
Could not have asked for more.
credit Pamela Pike
The Voice David Archuleta 