I'm on Keith's KU TUBE??!!!!! WHAT!!!!!

Now this is just getting CRAZY!!! A couple monkey friends e-mailed to inform me that I was in the latest KU Tube. HOLY MOLY!!! I couldn't even imagine what it could be. I figured & quick view of the BSBE crowd. OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO...Take a gander at this...(you may need to let it play once & then hit replay so it doesn't skip

http://www.keithurban.net/?em2137=1206_-1__0_~0_-1_5_2009_0_0&content=ku_tube&em3238=&em3245=&em2772=&defaultVid=

If only I could get a copy of this on DVD or something!!!!

Street Team Poster Mission for Moline

Well, I DID it!! I distributed MANY posters in the Iowa City, Williamsburg, & Cedar Rapids area promoting Keith's show in Moline & the chance to win tickets & a BSE in Nashville. It was A LOT of hard work, but I'm hoping my chances are good to finally EARN a BSE through the street team.

I may call the local station to see if I can get on the air to talk about Keith's shows in both Des Moines & Moline. I had e-mailed stations in Cedar Rapids & The Quad Cities, but never heard back. When I was working on my mission I called the request line to KHAK in Cedar Rapids, but it was ALWAYS busy. I sure wish I knew a way to accomplish the on-air task. We'll see what develops.

Keith & Kris on Idol

Wow, I thought it was so generous of Keith to allow Kris to sing the entire first verse. His voice lends itself so well to Keith's song. I loved it!! Keith was looking mighty FINE tonight. I wish they were allowed to do the entire song, they cut out the end-the best part of the song IMO.

Then an added bonus. Rod Steward sings & there's Brian Nutter. I think he had more camera time than Keith did! LOL! Looked like he was having a BLAST.

I was surprised when Kris won, though that's who I liked best. So thrilled for him. He looked SHOCKED.

Here's the one link I found the Keith & Kris' performance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVUrkMl1k6Q

CMT Music Awards-Final Voting is Open

Make sure the sign in to vote for the only FAN voted awards show in country music.

Keith is nominated in Male Video for "Sweet Thing" directed by Trey Fanjoy, who's also nominated for Director of the Year. Also make sure you vote for Brad Paisley's "Start A Band" for Collaborative Video of the Year featuring Keith Urban. Those two guys together are hilarious.

Keith to appear of American Idol Season 8 Finale

Many have wondered why it took so long for Keith to make an appearance on this amazingly popular show. My guess is he'll be playing "Kiss A Girl" as it's primed to take over the #1 spot sitting at #5 this week. If the Idol appearance gives Keith a super boost to the top spot, it will be the 2nd #1 hit off Keith's latest album "Defying Gravity".

Rumor has it that Keith will be performing a duet with finalist Kris Allen. This entire season I've been thinking that Kris has had moments of "Keithness". He has a way of connecting with an audience & bringing them along for the journey of his performance. Idol judge Kara Dioguardi pretty much agreed word for word tonight when she was complimenting Kris on his amazing 1st round performance.

I'm quite excited to see what song will make the duet cut. I'm sure as generous as Keith is, that he will be up there trying to showcase Kris' performance on one spectacular finale.

Keith's St. Paul Reviews

Here's some link of Keith's stellar show in St. Paul last Thursday night.

Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/music/ci_12375532?source=rss

Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/45062322.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUsZ


and from the same writer--2 different reviews of the same show--HHHHMMMMMM???

http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1611520/keith-urban-hits-the-ground-running-at-minnesota-concert.jhtml

Xcel Energy photo gallery & video highlights
http://www.xcelenergycenter.com/photogallery/gallery.jsp?SECTION_ID=52>

http://www.xcelenergycenter.com/videoplayer.jsp?IS_PLAY=Y&MM_FILE_ID=128


And this is what Keith had to go through in TRYING to perform "You Look Good In My Shirt". PLEASE treat him with a little more respect!!! OH, man that is scary. The fans need to remember to respect Keith & what he's trying to give to us all. A more intimate performance. PLEASE don't force him to stop being amongst the fans. I know he loves it so!

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photos by maluukkonen

Keith Karma in St. Paul

This just hit me today. I think this BSE was meant to be for me. St. Paul was where it all started. I first saw Keith Urban when he & Dierks Bentley opened for Kenny Chesney at the Xcel Energy Center in April 2004. The song "Jeans On" was what sealed my fate as a Urban fan for life. The passion & intensity with which he performed that song was mind blowing & he was SITTING DOWN when he played it. Hence the only song I could even think of requesting in a BSE is "Jeans On"-in fact it's on my license plate too. ; - )

I always thought the Xcel was one of the best venues in the Midwest & Keith always enjoys playing there. Now I love St. Paul & The Xcel even more, if possible, because they both played a big part in this amazing experience!

If I had made the connection before Thursday,(I had a few things on my mind last week)I definitely would have mentioned it when speaking with Keith.

Next show for me--Des Moines. I think I may have a seat right in front of the catwalk. Woo!!

My St. Paul BSE~~FIVE YEARS in the making

THANK YOU iLike!!!!!

I’ll put some markers denoting the BSBE(Backstage Barbeque Experience) details for those not interested in the full details of my day.

After 5 long years & 26+ BSE/CA/Street Team attempts I couldn’t believe it when I received an e-mail from Jennifer on Facebook last Saturday. I’m SOOOOOO glad I didn’t delete it, ‘cuz I didn’t recognize the name. I quickly responded to her since the e-mail said I had TWO days to respond. Of course I didn’t accomplish that right & had to try a second time & then wait until Monday for further info. Jennifer responded Monday morning saying Borman Entertainment would be in touch. This started me thinking this might be for real or a really BAD joke. At this point I didn’t even know what show it would be. Borman sent me the info saying I won for St. Paul. I seriously couldn’t believe it. Many fellow monkeys kept telling me this would be my year-one in particular.

So after the e-mail, the mind started reeling!! I’d been practicing for five years(while traveling in my car to shows) what I would say if I met him or got onstage at a show. Now I was getting my opportunity. How would I do this? I’d heard from many-you won’t have much time, you’re not to bring gifts, no autographs, you have to ask for a hug, try to get in the right spot to be next to Keith in the picture, get a hug, look him in the eye, be ready with your question, ask for a hug, yell out your song request, don’t be shy, get a hug, oh yeah—don’t forget to BREATHE!!! Needless to say my nerves were getting a marathon workout.

As Thursday got closer, the nerves weren’t easing any. If you know me, you know I’m the type that likes to be prepared for things. So of course, I typed out a note in hopes I’d have a chance to give it to Keith. I typed out several questions, in case Keith actually picked me & I even typed out my song requests. Like I really need that, my board name sorta says it all, but I figured I’d probably forget my name too!! But in the end I had that covered too.

Thursday morning I woke up to a great subject line in an e-mail from my CWK friend Gina. It said “WAKE UP JUNE! KEITH IS MEETING YOU TODAY!‏” Thank again Gina for that. I needed to remember Keith is a person just like me(well you know what I mean!). I headed out for the Twin Cities with 2 hours to analyze every scenario & how I would react. Probably not a good mindset I must admit.

I checked in at the Holiday. It was a GORGEOUS, but slightly breezy day. A friendly gal saw me taking some pics of the Xcel sign & approached me. I met a great fellow monkey Katie & we spent the afternoon waiting to see if we would see Keith on his cycle. I couldn’t get my BSBE pass until 5. I wasn’t really going to believe until it was IN MY HANDS!! We met some other fans, Kelly, her daughter Faith & her husband. We spent several hours waiting by the underground dock/entry.

I was surprised when I looked down the street & saw CRod jogging down the sidewalk. I told Katie he was coming, she told me to stop him & she’d get the camera. I said “Hi Chris” as he’s jogging by. Chris turns around as he’s jogging & says “Hi, I’ll see you at the show tonight”. Of course I didn’t stop him. I was sorta proud that I got that much out honestly. Later I saw a smaller motorcycle coming our way. You know what I was thinking. The rider had his helmet on. I’m thinking it looks familiar, I look at the brand of bike, YEP, it was a Triumph. I saw Brian looking our way as he turned & went under the Xcel. I can’t remember if I waved or not.

So, we waited some more, about an hour. From the opposite direction, I see CRod coming back down the street. He approached us & said he was sorry he didn’t stop but he didn’t want to break his stride. I think Kelly asked how far he ran. SEVEN MILES. We said “and you’re still doing a show tonight!” We said we were waiting to see Keith. Chris said he was already in the building. He commented that the Xcel was a HUGE place. He needed to go show & get ready for soundcheck in 45 minutes around 3. He graciously took pictures with each of us. My camera didn’t work the first pic, so I got two really close poses with Chris. It’s not a good pic of me, but Chris looks good. This day was getting better & better. I actually uttered coherent words to Chris, maybe I could get through the BSE with a little grace. We all decided to get ready for the show. Katie, Kelly & family~~it was so great meeting you & having a wonderful afternoon. I told Kelly I had to see her after the show because they had never seen Keith Live, but were already great fans of his. I knew what she’d say after, but it never gets old seeing a newbie’s reaction.

I then went to the will call window to see if my pass was there early. IT WAS!! YAY! I ran to the hotel & rushed to get ready. I had 45 minutes to get my windblown hair under control, clothes changed, sign made & cover up the BURNED nose I discovered when I looked in the mirror.

Colleen picked me up & we were off to the pre-party at the Crowne Plaza. Suzanne did a fantastic job organizing everything. It was great to see Sharyn, Kim, & Suzanne again. We also met, James from Kentucky & Eric from Wisconsin & Jeff-Suzanne’s husband. We tried to order drinks & a bite to eat, but the service was VERY slow & we both needed to get going. I had a nibble of my pie-the stomach wasn’t going to handle anything more at this point!!

Colleen dropped me off(my name tag from the pre-party-still stuck to my shoulder—one less thing for me to remember) & I made it JUST in time. They were already heading back. I scrambled to get closer to the head of the line.

*********************************BSBE***************************************************

This was REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN. I was taking a lot of deep breathes. We were ushered into the BSBE area. There was food galore. And is smelled soooo good. NONE for me!!! Everything was in the same area. The picture backdrop was right next to the performance area. People were already choosing their seats. I tried to scramble. I apologize to the gal I bumped into. I thought you were going the one way & then you stopped & I didn’t clear the seat & bumped into you. I’m so sorry! I had a 2^nd row seat & no one in front of me since there were only 3-4 chairs right in front of the mic.

I had some water & kept up the breathing! I saw Nicole from the GAC Ultimate fan special. About 15 minutes later they ushered us back out & formed us into line. Again, still doing the breathing. My line was first going back in the room. The couple ahead of me knew Keith since their daughter had worked for Keith in Nashville. We signed the wall & waited.

About 10 minutes later I see Keith walk into the photo area. WHOA MOMMA!! It’s soooo different seeing an artist off-stage. He is breathtaking. And very skinny, I think he’s really in shape for this tour. The first group in done, the 2^nd group goes & I’m the 1^st person in the 3^rd group. Keith is standing there talking to the couple he knows ahead of me, so I’m just standing there. I think one of the bodyguards tells me to come on in & line up. It’s almost here!!!

I had my folded note in my hand & I was trying to be ready. He approaches me, I shake his hand. I know I don’t have much time. I tell him I have a note for him. He accepts it & before he moves on I ask “Can I have a hug”. He says “Sure Baby” He leans in & I get a half hug. BUT I GOT A HUG!!! He moves on & I see him put MY note in his back pocket. He doesn’t hand it to an assistant. It’s on his person. I SOOOO hope he actually reads them. We get ready for the pic & obviously I’m not next to him. I think there’s only 4-6 people in our shot. I put my arm on his. Two pics & it’s over. I DID it. Got the note delivered. Got the hug. And didn’t cry Wooo!!

Now I’m ready for a bite to eat. But I only took a little salad & a YUMMY apple carmel pie. I devoured both. It took awhile for Keith to greet everyone. I’d say there were at least 60 people & maybe 80 people in the room. They played the video. I totally forgot about that. It was really funny, but I thought it would have how the design of the show was created. Quite a bit of the KU Tubes were in it. I could see Keith standing in the hallway behind a curtain to my left.

Keith finally comes in, sits down, plugs in his guitar & asks if we have any requests. I yell Jeans On & many others yell too. I keep saying Jeans On. Nicole’s husband yells with his booming voice Jeans On. Keith says “Jeans On? I don’t think anyone knows the words to that one” So others kept yelling & he said how about Somebody Like You. We all yell & clap!! He’s playing & then letting us serenade him a little. He said “you’re making my job easy”. Then he was done & he put the guitar away. So only one song for us.

Next the questions. I shot my arm up. Nothing. The first young lady asked how did he decided to follow country music for a living. I was trying to pay attention, but wasn’t easy. Nicole had the second question I believe or the first. She had a gift for a member of Keith’s family. So she went up & gave him it. Keith said I’m guessing this is for Sunday. It was a cute pink monkey from Build a Bear. Keith put the hooked arms around his neck & gave Nicole hug. One question was what cologne did he wear? Keith said that stuff smells different on everyone. A couple ladies up front wanted to thank Keith & Monkeyville for making the BSE possible. Then someone asked about Australia & what they should see & when would be a good time of year, January? He said it’s HOT in January. The gal said, but it’s not here. Keith agreed saying he knows it gets really cold here. He told a story when he visited a friend in Wisconsin during winter & it had just snowed & he volunteered to go out & scoop the driveway. They don’t have snow in Australia, so he always wanted to do that. The friends let him go out & in five minutes he was drenched in sweat & couldn’t finish. He looked at the window & the whole family was watching him & laughing at him. I believe he said he’d take a last question & he didn’t pick me. I said under my breath( I think) **it. So I didn’t hear the question.

Then I thought he was done I guess, but I still threw my hand in the air. He pointed to me. I proceeded to point to myself too “ME?” He said yes. So I stood up. Yes I wanted to make sure I really experienced this. I stammered a little, but got out “I just wanted to say how excited I am to be here. I’ve tried for 5 years & over 26 times to win a pass & I finally won & I’m so excited to be here”. The next thing I knew Keith said something in “aaahh” & was standing up & coming over TO ME & gave me a HUG!!! It was a good hug. All of a sudden I was hugging him. I don’t remember him actually walking over to me. I think I was in shock thinking he’s coming to hug me. So my lips were right by his ear, so as he was releasing me I told him I still had a question for him. He said “well come on up here”. He took me up to the mic. I read my question from my paper. He looked at me & asked “You wrote down the question?” I said “Yeah, I knew I’d be nervous”. My hands were shaking a little. So he said read it again. “Was there a song you were most excited about performing with the full production on opening night last week?” I had another part of the question, but didn’t ask it. He said there were many songs he was excited about. Then he listed them. I tried to take it all in. But he was looking at ME. Having a conversation with ME. I made sure to look in his eyes. I believed he mentioned he had goofed up on a song last week, but the one song we was probably most excited about was “When Summer Comes Along”(Sweet-right Gina!!) I had presence of mind to follow up & tell him I was most looking forward to the new arrangement of Stupid Boy. I think he thanked me on that or something. I’m not sure if I got a hug then or not. Again, somehow, someway I knew my time was almost up & I had the wristband I made for him on my wrist. I said ”I also want to give you this, I made it & I don’t know if want to wear it , but I want you to have it.” He took the band & said thank you & put it on his wrist & said “I’ll wear it tonight & if I could find you after the show & I could give it back, but no, I want to keep it” HOLY MOLY!!!! I got ANOTHER HUG!! Then I somehow got back to my seat & we clapped & it was over.

I forgot to mention that people WERE taking pictures with cell phones & I even saw some flashes. I did not take my camera out. I wanted to take it all in with no distractions. The gal next to me showed me she got pics & asked for my e-mail. I’ll be eternally grateful if I receive the pics.

So it was over & I don’t think it could have gone any better. I can’t believe I was able to pull myself together & not be my normal shy self. I am so grateful to iLike for the opportunity. To be able to meet someone you admire so much & then are lucky enough to interact with them, it’s just mind blowing.

After, I was running the concourse looking for my friend Colleen, ‘cuz she wanted to hear everything. First I called Gina, who had faith in the BSE to be for me all along. I finally found Colleen & before I could tell her what happened she handed me her cell phone & she had a picture of KEITH & ME! I’m thinking, how did it get on the internet & how did she find it? HA ! She texted her friend, also in the BSBE, asking if she’d seen me. She sent back the pic with “Is that her”. Too unreal!!

The show was great except for I missed how Keith got on stage, cuz 2 ladies were trying to find their seat & couldn’t figure what number their seats were. I was beyond mad!! Then I had a 6 foot or taller guy in front of me. But I was on a high. Keith did have a black wrist band on, but I think he turned it inside out. I’m not sure if it’s because Verizon was filming the show? And I did see that it was off his wrist when he left the stage. If anyone knows who received it I’d like to let them know how much love was put into it & please cherish it.

The reality of what I had just experienced hit me this morning. How is THIS for Keith Karma???!!! I was at the stop light right next to the Holiday, Xcel Center right there & what song comes on the radio, but Kiss a Girl. The emotions started welling up!! The Xcel behind me & St. Paul was the city that made it happen! I loved the venue before, now I REALLY love that town & venue. All the way home, every time I thought about my experience, the tears started coming.

The BSE was everything I hoped for & more. Keith you are an amazing person & I thank you so much for taking the moments out of your schedule to allow your fans to thank you in person. See you on the road.

KEITH URBAN GETS TO MEET ME TONIGHT!!!!!

How's that for my VERY first post?!? I'll give you the background story after tonight. I need to head for the Cities right now. Wish me luck in remembering to BREATHE & ask for a hug or two or three. ; - )