Warning: This will be a long one!
It was a bitter-sweet concert for me. I have been blessed and I have taken for granted being able to go to 5 concerts this summer. I tried to just let Clay’s wonderful performance and voice take me over and block any and everything else out!
This was the first concert that I have traveled (3 hrs) to alone and didn’t even plan on meeting anyone there. Although I would do it again in a heartbeat, talking with someone else before and after about Clay and the excitement of the concert certainly does add an additional element.
On my way, about 20 minutes from the fair in another small town, I saw what I think was Clay’s bus in a hotel parking lot. Granted, I didn’t see Clay or anyone from his entourage, but it was a bus just like his and really, what are the chances that there would be another bus like that in the middle of nowhere in Iowa, 20 minutes from where he was going to perform? Oh well, even if it wasn’t, it still got me excited, knowing that Clay was near!!
I walked around the fair a bit, watched a hypnotist, who briefly referred to Clay performing there that night. I was surprised that there weren’t any screams when his name was mentioned. I am so used to hearing that. I also watched Jerome audition singers. He is so great with the fans that all gather around him, he listens to them and takes all kinds of gifts for Clay.
There was only grandstand seating, no floor area. The stage was out on a trailer kind of thing and there was about a 20 foot gap between the stage and the grandstand. Kind of weird, it seemed so far away! As I was waiting for the concert to start I caught a quick glimpse of Nick bringing the white suit and other clothes to the back of the stage.
To me it felt like this was a crowd that didn’t have a lot of the avid Clay fans in it. I didn’t see a lot of Clay shirts or a lot of signs. I know there were a lot of other little things I noticed to make me think that, but I can’t think of them now. But they definitely were loud and showed their appreciation to Clay. There were quite a few men and families. There was one guy behind me who looked to be 16-20 years old, I heard him tell someone that he had come alone!
My only gripe about the concert was a few of the fans that ruined a couple of parts for me.
One was people yelling several times for a couple of girls to sit down during YGAF. I didn’t mind the girls standing, I minded people yelling many times very loud over the song. I missed the entire part of Clay thanking the crew and about 2/3’s of SSD due to the distraction of a fan behind me being caught with a video camera. Jerome was trying to get her to leave with him to “discuss” things, but she and her friend would not budge one bit or give up the bag. I don’t believe that she was an online fan because I heard her ask “Who are you?” and Jerome said, “I‘m Jerome, SECURITY!” Eventually, a couple of event staffers, Chuck and possibly a police officer were all up there trying to get her to come with them. Finally, the two girls did go with them.
I really love all the songs that Clay sings and found myself wondering if I would see him perform some of them ever again. Tonight, my favorites were MOAM and Invisible!
Don’t throw things at me,
but ISY has never been one of my favorites or one that gets me going like many others, but last nights performance was the one that got me! Absolutely amazing how expressive he was!
YWT was great too. Through my binoculars, after Clay was lowered down, I could see how much this song affected Quiana. Not sure if there were actually tears, but she definitely was feeling the emotion of the song! I watched TITN through my binoculars. What a performance, I loved it. I noticed the back of his collar was flipped up a bit on his plaid jacket. It kind of looked like he was trying to be preppy! I guess no one checks him after his quick wardrobe changes! Lots and lots of screams for close up of WWJD bracelet. I also saw a huge moth swoop down on his head at the end! He didn’t even swat it away! I also watched Solitaire through my binoculars. It was wonderful to watch the pure joy on his face as he took his two bows, did his salute and was lowered down. He definitely loves us and enjoys what he is doing. And before I was even half way down the grandstand I saw the bus rolling away!
I have completely enjoyed each of my concert experiences this summer. Each one was special in it own way. I am lucky to have all the fine memories of Clay and Claymaniac friends that I do. As much as Clay deserves to be able to slow down and take some time off, I can’t help but be selfish in hoping that I will be able to see him LIVE again soon!!
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