You know those times when you look forward to something so much and when it finally happens it wasn’t nearly as good as what you had imagined? Well, this wasn’t one of those times. The Radford concert was amazing. And David was the embodiment of graciousness.

My friends (non-David fans) and I got in line around 2:30. A little over 4 hours later, after meeting some really nice folks in line, the doors opened and we were in Row 4 on the right side. My friends got me the aisle, so I was in perfect viewing position. Ryan Star was great -- I think my friends liked him better than David but were afraid to tell me so.

During set up I spotted David’s gleaming black guitar and predicted TWIK to open -- and was rewarded with just that. Even before David came out, the entire crowd was standing, yelling and screaming. Once he started singing we just became even more intense -- to the point that at the pause in the song David couldn’t go on because we were too loud. David was trying to stay in the music, but got that little smile. He knew we were completely his for the evening. We screamed and sang and clapped. He never had to tell us to stand up and rarely did he have to urge us to make more noise because we were already having a blast.

I wish I could talk about the band a bit, but I was basically transfixed by David. After watching countless youtube videos, I would have thought I had been desensitized to his effect. Wrong. I was captured, enraptured, mesmerized by his presence on stage.

I loved Souvenir and was thrilled that I could remember the words even though I haven’t listened to it as much as some others. Hunger Strike was fabulous -- love hearing Andy and David together. WOHWWS is great in person! HFT -- simply no words. Well, that’s not exactly true. I had many words last night, none of which I need to repeat here. Lie was simply over the top. I love, love, love this song and hearing it live was such a treat.

My impression is that the recent shows haven’t had the emotional impact of the first ones. Probably to be expected given that we’re 30ish shows in and Light On as a finale doesn’t have the same emotional draw as A Daily Anthem -- for me anyway. However, as David walked off stage at the end of the evening, he pumped his chest with this fist letting us know that he appreciated us. And even though none of us screamed out “We love you David!” in order to get that “I love you, too!” in return, his feelings were apparent in that gesture.

A lot of people waited at the bus for David and the guys. David came out to sign for folks and watching him work this crowd made me respect him even more. He’s learned to be very efficient getting through the crowd without ever appearing rushed and somehow managing to still give each person attention -- even if only for 30 or 45 seconds. He was, in a word, gracious.

The juxtaposition between his graciousness and my reaction was, well, interesting. I was terrified that the inner fangurl in me would come out. Part of me was afraid that I might actually throw up on him. Another part of me was afraid that I’d cry hysterically like that young girl did on AI a couple of seasons ago for Sanjaya. So I was really hoping just to fall under Dave Trance and become a mute. Why, oh why couldn’t I be a mute just once?!?

No, I blathered on like some verbally incontinent lunatic. Blah, blah, blah on team for Race for Hope. Blah, blah, blah can I have a hug? Blah, blah, blah promise I didn’t smell you. Blah, blah, blah great show. OMG why am I still talking?!? Why can’t I shut up?!? Someone help me -- surely the K-9 unit has a muzzle in the police car! I KNOW the roadies have duct tape -- tape my mouth shut!

My friends said I was cute and fun and asked very sweetly for a hug and remembered to say “Thank you.” I hope so because I honestly can’t remember. To anyone who was near me, I really apologize. My only consolation is that David Cook makes other people stupid, too.

I only wish that instead of spewing forth banalities like some semi-lucid escapee from a mental institution I had spoken to David from my heart. And since I didn’t manage to say it to him directly, I’ll write it here because I think y’all will understand.

Like many of you, I’ve never been this moved by an artist. Never. And although I can pinpoint the exact moment it happened, I’m still not certain why I opened myself to David and his music. I’ve been a little embarrassed at my reaction. I mean, I’m over 40, should I really be doing this sort of thing? After confessing this to one of my friends she said she thought it was great -- that everyone should be this way about an artist at least once in their lives. And I realized that I’m really glad I waited for David.