March 18, 2011...our day was filled with blessings and good luck. Meeting @lespauleslie and @CaseyEJames were unforgettable and cherished moments that will last a lifetime. Leslie is just as amazing and witty as she is on twitter, and we were chatting it up so much in the hotel, that we were almost late for Casey. Love her to pieces.  

Long story short...Or not...

Because Bloomington was sold out within 10 minutes of going on sale, we had to pay a hefty price for what we had imagined were "good seats". When we discovered our seating, we were terribly dissapointed. They were severely stage right, and practically behind the stage.  Definitely behind the main microphone. I had anticipated looking at the back of Caseys head during his set, but it was still exciting to be there. As we attempted to maybe sit elsewhere for Caseys set, the place was filling up so fast that we quickly recalled that we were attending a sold out show. In an attempt to lighten the mood, Leslie dangled her huge Casey signs over the rail and said "well, it'd be better if Casey would show up." Within moments, there he was. The long, tall Texan I had been looking forward to seeing since his early days of American Idol. All we had to do was walk to the end of our aisle and say HELLO!  I saw him, and asked if I could get a fast pic. His reply was "ya", and he waited patiently while I fumbled with my iPhone that has never worked slower in it's life. Took 3 pics, and the rocking blue guitar guy was out of sight. Fully aware that he must come back, we remained seated there in an attempt to steal another couple of pre show pics and another quick opportunity to say hi! Within minutes, a large security guy came to us, and explained that we must return to our actual seats, which were only about 15 down in the same row, but he insisted.  At that, I understood that he was bringing Casey back.  Moments later, the same man comes to us at the rail, which is about 10 feet from the floor. He reaches up and demands that Leslie passed over the signs. She gives them up, and he explained that he wanted her to  climb over the rail. I thought we were getting kicked out for the large dangling signs and switching seats. Leslie understood what actually was happening. When she refused to climb over to 10 feet of concrete flooring underneath, he told me to do it. I immediately asked if we were in trouble and he said "No! Let's go meet Casey".  I leapt over the rail towards the 10 foot drop to pavement, and he caught me, set me down gently, and I began the walk towards Casey James. Unfortunately, I'm just one of those people that get really nervous, and I always have a difficult time controlling it. Next thing I know, I am standing there, face to face with him, not knowing what to do. Frozen. Frozen stiff. No words. His manager and the security guy that brought me there were the only ones I remember seeing...and Casey. Someone noticed my frozeness and prompted me to get something signed. I didnt have a pen. Last I knew, I was sitting in seats where we couldn't see. What's a pen? I don't have a pen. I looked at Casey and said "I don't have a pen, but I have wanted to meet you for a long time." He said "well I can give you a hug", as he put his arms out and I walked towards him. The famous hug, and the well know scent of Casey James. Finally. His hair was in my face, it was soft and clean. I could smell the gum in his mouth. It was a nice moment, a sweet one. I could feel the appreciation he had toward me as a fan. Just genuinely pleased at the support.  As before, his manager is guiding the visit, the unforseen moment where I had literally been ripped from the crowd and placed backstage with Casey James. His manager Todd said we need to take a pic. I have nothing. No pen. No camera. He took a pic and requested my email address in order to send it to me. ugh. At that, Leslie appeared from above us near our bad seats, with my iPhone. Casey spots it, asks if "that's a 4?", twice, as I'm saying YES YES it's a 4. The next thing I know, Casey James has my phone. Now what? He's being playful and fun. He plays around with it for a few seconds, felt like minutes, until he finds and gets the camera ready. Then he passes it off and asks whoever it was to take another pic with my phone. Too bad it is possibly the single worst pic I have ever seen or tweeted of myself, but that had to be shared at my expense or not. I had explained that the pit was already full, and seats were filling up fast for his set. Told him how much I enjoyed his new music, and other chatter that I possibly don't remember. He was sincere. Very friendly and sweet. After a hug goodbye, I explained that I would see him after the show.  Then the big guy shoved me in the air toward that railing again and I had to climb back up in front of them. Didn't care. I had just been granted an exciting and basically private encounter with Casey James. 

Upon returning to my seat, I had an entirely new outlook. Who cares if I'm staring at the back of his head? I rediscovered why I was really there. It's all about the music. It's the best part, it's the part that you can take home. His set was AMAZING, to say the least. The girl sitting next to me asked who he was, and I told her his name. What I loved about that, was that I knew it was unneccessary to say "from American Idol", because at this point during the show, he had already proven himself a true artist, and excellent singer, and an amazing guitarist. I was proud. To say the least. 

After the show, we were first in line to see Casey. We went through the formals of autographs and pics, a little chatter and we stepped aside. @Lespauleslie had made a Texas sheet cake for him, and we wanted to give it to him last. We waited less than an hour, and watched Casey interact with his fans. He treats everyone with sincere appreciation and care. He appears just as excited to greet the overweight frumpy lady as he does the young and beautiful. He is respectful and very kind. He is overly generous with his time, and is very patient. He has a genuine and sweet demeanor, and is calm while he displays a grateful attitude towards each person that came through the line. He stayed until everyone was through, and some of them twice.  He gained some fans that night in Bloomington, guaranteed. 
Thanks for the music Casey. 

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