Erica Emery of Hanover and Erica Robertson of Spring Grove say they watched nearly every episode of season seven of American Idol together, rooting on David Archuleta.
Friday evening, they were together again, at Penn State York’s Pullo Center, waiting for David to take the stage as part of WLAN FM 97.7’s Birthday Barnyard Dance.
Erica Emery, 15, wearing a Thing #1 t-shirt to distinguish her from her friend Erica, said she’s heard two songs off David’s upcoming album — “Something About Love” and “Elevator” — and loves both.
“I think it’s going to be great,” she said of the upcoming album, due out Oct. 5. She expects it to be even “more emotional” than his first album because he co-wrote most of the songs.
Erica Robertson, 14, wearing a Thing #2 t-shirt, left no doubt why she thinks David Archuleta is something special.
“He has an adorable face. And to-die-for eyes,” she said. “He’s totally hot, and I love his music.”
As for his loss to David Cook in the season seven finale of American Idol, she admits “I was in tears the whole time.”
The two Ericas were among hundreds of fans who turned out to see David Archuleta perform Friday in a concert that also featured Runner Runner, Hot Chelle Rae, The Ready Set and Shontelle.
And there was nary a tear in the house — at least not from disappointment — as David played to a crowd made up mostly of shrieking teens who weren’t bashful about shouting out “I love you, David” throughout his seven-song set.
The crowd included Franki Berarducci of Pittsburgh, who traveled four hours Friday to watch David perform live for the fifth time. She had also seen him perform in Hershey, Wilkes-Barre, Strasburg and her hometown.
She was something of a rarity in that she didn’t become a David Archuleta fan through American Idol. Instead, she slowly became a fan of his first big post-Idol hit, “Crush.”
Before long, she says she knew the words to every song on David’s first album.
And she says she’s already listened to the 30-second snippets of every song off the upcoming album on YouTube.
Now, she’s a fan of American Idol, too.
“I regretted not watching season seven because I missed someone so amazing,” she said. “I don’t want to miss someone else like him.”
Some lucky fans even got to meet David and the other Birthday Barnyard Dance stars before Friday’s show.
Nine-year-old Matthew DeRose, his 7-year-0ld sister Maria and their 6-year-old brother Michael were all smiles after the pre-show meet-and-greet.
Why David Archuleta fans at such a young age?
“He sings good,” explained Matthew, of York. “And he has great hair.”
He was also in great voice Friday, judging from the reaction of his adoring fans.
David treated them to both of the aforementioned songs off his new album as well as “Crush” and “A Little Too Not Over You” from his debut album.
And David was his typical, jovial, upbeat self, praising Pennsylvania fans, praising the Pennsylvania weather and even bursting into a rendition of “Happy Birthday To You” when someone in the crowd shouted out that it was their birthday.
The fans didn’t leave disappointed.
“David rocks and rules,” proclaimed Tiera Mummaw of Lititz. And, have no doubt, she wasn’t talking about season seven rocker David Cook.
Ashley Cepull’s mom said her daughter was dancing around Thursday she was so excited about attending Friday’s show.
“I loved it,” Ashley, 17, of Dallastown said. “It was even better than I anticipated.”
Editor’s Notes: For a pre-show interview with David, go here.
For a blog on what David and his fans say about the judging changes on American Idol, go here.
And check back later Saturday. I’ll be adding lots more photos from the show.
Note: This blog and photos are copyrighted property of The York Dispatch. Feel free to use a snippet from the blog and link to it. Permission is not granted to reprint the blog in its entirity or the photos.
21 Comments
Wow, that was fast. Beautiful pictures. Looking forward to the interview. I love Matthew, “He sings good, and he has great hair.” He does sing good indeed.
Gosh these people are so lucky to be able to follow David to so many performances. I too fell in love with him and have actually flown from Germany to the states to see him in Arizona, Houston, San Antonio, and Florida. And his voice and looks leave you wanting more! I am grateful for AI because they gave us David!
Although only tween/teen fans were listed in this article, his fans are all over the age categories. Visit fan sites like Fans of David, Snarkyarchies, Fan Scene, Loving Archie, davidbeyondborders, The Voice, The David Chronicles, Snow Angelz etc. There are plenty of adult fans who respect and admire him as an amazing artist and a hard to find wonderful human being. Thanks for your nice article.
I was there last night. His performance was amazing!! It was soooooooo good. You didn’t want him to stop singing. It was sad when it was over. And I am not a tween. There were 3 generations from my family there last night. Me, my husband, my daughter and two granddaughters. We traveled from Baltimore to see David again. This is our 6th concert and I am looking forward to David touring with his new album, which is going to be outstanding. I have been a fan and supporter of this outstanding young man since “Shop Around” and “Imagine”. The performance was more personal and boy, he can sing…”My Hands” is one of my favorites from his first album and his performance of the song last night was awesome.
he is simply the best contestant to ever come from that show. and those two young girls are testament that there are lots of young people who followed him on idol, and are still following him. amazing considering how fickle a lot of teens are. he is just amazing.
David Archuleta rocks!
I wish I was there! David is a once in a lifetime performer for me. Never have I cared about an artist before and that’s likely because no other artist brings to the table what David Archuleta does. His voice moves me, his music makes me feel good, and his winning personality and smile is endearing. He’s a keeper! I’m waiting on pins and needles for his new cd on Oct 5. What I’ve heard so far of the cd The Other Side of Down ensures me that we are going to be blown away by the new mature David!
Now I just need David to have a show somewhere near me 🙂
Great pictures, thanks! Really miss seeing David live, hope he has his own tour again soon.
Thanks for the terrific pictures! Sounds like David did not dissapoint. Considering he has been sick, you couldn’t tell! That is the professionalism he so genuinely portrays wherever and whenever you see him. Yup, one classy, goodlookin’, great haired(right-on Matthew!) young man! Cannot wait for October 5th!
Oh my heck…I forgot to say that his VOICE is the best in the business! 😀
Great article and nice pictures.
My fiance and I (both in our 50’s) were there to hear David. Best seats we’ve ever had too – 4th row! He sounded great and left us wishing for more. I think David is planning some kind of tour so I hope he comes to SE PA again. We really want to hear him perform more of his new album (Oct 5 2010)!
Sounds like there was lots of love for David Friday night. I wish I could go to all his concerts just to hear that voice and see that smiling face. He is fantastic in concert and always leaves his fans thirsting for more. Matthew had it right, “He sings good, and has great hair”.
Wish I could have seen the show. I love David Archuleta — he is so special and such a talented singer/songwriter, and now author! I have both his two previous albums and have gifted them to many of David’s international fans. I love Something Bout Love and Elevator off the new album. And also Things are Gonna Get Better — can’t wait to just sit back and listen to the whole album coming out Oct 5!!! David rocks and his concerts are really FUN!!! Can’t wait to see him when he goes out on tour after the new album is released.
I love David Archuleta!! Every performance he does he makes special and fantastic!!! There is no other young artist out there that effects so many people of all ages like he does.
I (an older fan) also was at this show and David’s portion was even better than I anticipated. Every song was just his voice alone with his keyboard or the acoustic guitar. This is how David sounds his absolute best, without much background music hiding his amazing voice – best voice I’ve ever heard. And I agree, his hair is pretty nice too!
i really want to was there, i love david archuleta.. he is so cute and very good voice.. i love elevator off the new album, i hope i could go to his concert just to saw and hear that voice.. Love U more David :*