A wonderful thing has happened at nearly all of David Cook's concerts since he started this tour. We fans, have been given the privilege of an audio connection that in years past fans could only dream of. Technology is an amazing thing folks. Not perfect yet by any means but amazing nonetheless. Sound quality of these audio feeds is 50% technology (phone brand, etc) and 50% environmental (venue size, point of origin, etc.) leaving the remainder being operator performance (speakerphone vs not speaker phone, pursecast vs boobcast, etc.)

All this technology does not work unless there are people willing to VOLUNTEER to make it happen. In a perfect world, DCO would professionally broadcast with amazing clarity every one of David's concerts to anyone around the world willing to listen in. Ain't gonna happen, folks! Because of this, we amateurs, attempt to make it happen.

Starting from the most basic element, the cellcaster. Let's look at this for what it really is. Someone who paid money to see and enjoy a David Cook concert to the fullest generously deciding to let people around the world listen to the show through his/her phone. In my opinion, that is enough. Their concert experience should be altered in no way by dialing a phone number and leaving the line open. Period. End of sentence. Proceed as normal as if no one was listening. We are simply eavesdropping folks and should appreciate the privilege. Screaming, off-key singing, cursing, etc. by those around the phone (and not necessarily just the cellcaster) would be the same if you were standing there at the concert. You just miss out on the toe smashing, elbow in the ribs, hair in the face aspect as well as the visual pretty, of course.

The next aspect is the host. Mandy DOES NOT HAVE TO DO THIS! She pays for Skype and (I may be wrong here) an upgrade to blogtv pro. Not only does she pay, she has actually been unemployed for most, if not all, the tour. She has been kind enough to offer her home environment, her time and her efforts to make sure that we get our fix of hearing David Cook live as often as possible. This is not simply a matter of waiting for a phone call and then sitting and listening. There are administrative duties requiring typing. Also, others who broadcast on blogtv eat and drink on their shows, too. Get over it.

Everyone tuning in has a choice. Listen or not. If you choose to listen for whatever reasons, take the good with the bad. I would like to suggest that you bite the bullet and do not b**** about it. Do not go running off and posting negative things on other sites that may be open to public scrutiny no matter how private you think the conversation is. This just makes the entire fandom look bad and creates bad feelings within said fandom.

If you feel you would put on a better broadcast, feel free to do so rather than complaining. You set the standards and the rules. Nothing about Mandy's broadcasts are "official". They are posted on DCO as a service that is available for us to utilize. I am sure if you start one, yours will be, too.

In conclusion,every aspect of this cellcast is voluntary from making the broadcast happen to actually listening. I live where I can go and see a few shows and still enjoy these cellcasts. I cannot imagine living somewhere that has NO opportunity to see David and NOT having these cellcasts to listen to. Be grateful for the technology and the volunteers who make this experience of HEARING David's career blossom possible.

Rant over!
Connie