Here's a really long one Katie and everyone else, but I promise it is worth reading. I did like Missy.
08.13.05 HOB Anaheim
This was the last day of the tour. I HAD to be upfront. I made a dinner reservation so we could Pass The Line. We got to Downtown Disney and headed for The HOB. As we were being seated we walk right by the boy's table. I stop and say hello, and introduce them all to my friend Nicole. I told them they were great last night and Luis said he didn't see me. Tim said, She was right up front, I pointed my bass at you. The host dude was waiting to take us to our table so I told them bye.
When I sat down, I saw my HD friend from the night before, already in line. I went over to say hello and asked if they would be interested in trading off holding down the line so we could take breaks etc. She said that would be cool, they had already eaten. I told her that we just got seated and she said that was fine.
I took care of the check and as I was walking to the line, I saw Anna. I swear we had some serious random, lucky timing this whole weekend. My HD friend, pointed Anna out and said that she was going to come get me, which was cool.
I walked up to Anna and she said hi and gave me a hug. I told her that I had the pictures for her and she said that she had a friend there so she probably wouldn't see me later. I gave her, her album, and I said this one is for your mom, and this one is for your aunt. She said oh, you are too sweet and hugged me again. We chatted a bit and shehe said, "I am having a little listener party, would you want to be on the list?" I said, sure and asked when it was. She said she had to put some makeup on then it would be happening. This lady walked up and Anna hands me the photo album back and says, "Here, you give it to her." I said, "Oh is this your mom?" I introduced myself and she herself and her friend and asked who my friend was. I told her it was nice to meet her and she thanked me for the pictures. She told me to wear a hat, they were all wearing hats. I was like, no one told me. So I felt bad and didn't have time to go buy one.
Tim waved us over so we could go to the listening party. We were taken to the dressing room which was literally 12x6. Nicole and I were like, where is she going to play? Our lap. There were 3 contest winners with two guests, 2 radio staff, and the label rep. As we were waiting the mother of one of the winners asked me how we got in and I said, "A personal invite from Anna." Which was true. So, of course I did not have my camera, it being HOB and all. Anna was literally a foot in front of me. She and Luis started with "Citadel." I seriously wanted to cry. It was so beautiful, all Anna, no mic or anything.
After "Citadel" she asked if anyone had any questions. You know how these radio things are, no one really knows who she is. So I asked her about "Forever Love (Digame)" and how the digame part was added, did she speak Spanish, know someone or what.? She said that she had a Puerto Rican boyfriend who was a real jerk face and some of the other songs are about him too. Anyhow, she said that when she was upset or something was wrong he would say, whats wrong, digame. She then told us about her car accident and how it was like two miles from her house, she flipped, skidded like two house lengths and hit a tree. She said that she was thinking about how she has never been loved back the way that she loved someone or how she wanted to be loved and just put it into the song.
I asked her why she doesn't do it and she said because its slower, there are two songs on the album that they don't do. She talked about Catalyst and how it's a great song and hopefully they can work them in on the Rob Thomas tour.
She asked if there were any other questions and I said if no one else does, I have another. Someone asked her about her tour and she said who she had opened for and that they had two weeks off and then were going to Japan and then maybe Australia.
Anna then looked back over at me and asked if I had another question. I said, you have a song on The Desperate Housewives Soundtrack, Band of Gold how did that come up? She was all, You know about that? I said yes. So she said that she was approached with two covers and she decided to go with this one, they recorded it a few weeks ago. Then she said to Luis, why dont we do a little bit of it? So she did!! I wanted to seriously die!! I have always loved Belinda Carlisles version.
Anna then said, well I guess we will do the one you guys know now. During it she noticed my phone was open, I don't know if she knows it's a video phone too but she leaned into my phone and winked. It was so funny. I was happy cause at the Vegas show and the SF show she posed for my camera and I missed it. Here's the clip, same deal, copy and paste into a new window, sorry.
http://www.boomspeed.com/smpd24/wink.mov After "Breathe (2am)" Luis left the room and the label rep said we could take pictures. I was trying to let the other people go first because well, I have a few already. But the room was so small I went first. One of the mothers of the winner said she would email the picture. I sure hope she does. After the pictures, the label rep asked if she would mind signing 8x10s. Anna, of course did not mind. The lady asked my friend what her name was and she said, Nicole. Anna made sure she spelled it right. Then she asked me what my name was. I hesitated and she asked me again. I said, Let. She looks at the picture and says, "Oh, she already knows your name." Nicole was all, "You're happy now, arent you?" I must admit, I seriously was.
We went back to the line. I told my HD friends about what happened and then we went to the bar to get a drink. Shortly after that we were let in. I was in my usual spot. I saw Anna up on the second floor just chillin' so I waved, she waved back. Then Ronald was up there talking to her and I waved at him, and he waved back. So then I look up and I hear Anna say, "I love you Let!" I said, "I love you more!" I then was like, wait, did that just happen? I had to get confirmation from my friend and my HD friends and they were like,yes, awe.
The show was great. They were all wearing hats for their friend who is terminally ill and wears hats so that was very touching and cool. After "Paper Bag" she was talking and says, "My next song, wait, whats the next song?" I said, "Satellite." She looks at her setlist and says, yeah, "Satellite" and kinda laughs.
Anna was talking about how it was the end of the tour and how they enjoyed being with Howie, blah blah. Then she says, "How about a whoop for Howie Day?" When the cheering died, I said, "How about a whoop for Anna Nalick?" She says, "How about 2 whoops?" We cheer and she says, "The check is in the mail."
So during "In My Head" Luis lost power or something so it all stopped. Some dude yelled out, "A cappella." I yelled out "Forever Love." She didn't quite know what I said so my friend helped and said it with me. So she says, "If I do this will you all forgive me for what just happened and think I am cool and not go home saying eh, she's alright?" I am like yesssssssss!! So she busted out some "Forever Love" and can I just say that I was totally happy!! Not that I wasn't before but that is my most favorite song and had yet to hear it. She didn't do all of it but that's ok.
The last song is Bleed and during the song she rips one of the necklaces off her neck, walks over to me and hands it to me. I was so touched!! She then ripped one more and gave it to someone and then her tiara. But to be first? Very cool!!
