As you can see from the blog entries below, it has been an amazing year for Anthony. All the experiences and venues he has sung at have all been great and all the people have been so
nice and kind BUT.......this one takes the cake. Words will not do this experience justice so we may post a video of the 4 of us describing this incredible night at a later time so you can get the total picture. For now....here it goes.
Anthony sang karaoke on the concourse of the Times Union Center before the American Idol concert. The people who were running the karaoke remembered him from last year and made a very big deal about Anthony, making him stand on the table, picking him up, announcing to the whole concourse that he was going to be an Idol some day etc. They were very nice and made Anthony feel very special. While he was singing, we noticed one of the gentlemen taking a video of Anthony. We didn't think anything of it at the time. After Anthony sang his second song, we were told to talk to Kennesha. So Anthony's Mom, Jude, spoke to Kennesha Gill and during the conversation, asked her if she could get us meet and greet passes so Anthony could meet the American Idols. She said she would try and we should meet her behind where we were sitting (section 118) at intermission. I met her behind Section 118 and she gave us the back stage passes. Anthony and Louis were jumping up and down with excitement.
The second half of the concert began with all of the idols coming out on stage and singing a few songs together as a group. After the songs were done, they all left the stage except for Gina Glocksen. Gina thanked the crowd for their support and love. Then she said "But I have to tell you, we have some competition out there. In Section 118, shine a spotlight on 118 please, there is a little boy named Anthony who has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. He will be on this stage one day entertaing you. Anthony, all I can say from my heart to yours is keep singing and follow your dreams." The she said Thank You and ran off stage. Anthony was crying and the rest of us were sitting there with our mouths opened in shock. We still at this point didn't know how she knew we were in section 118, how she heard Anthony...etc. Anthony turned to Jude and I and said "My dream has just come true, the idols know who I am." Four songs later he finally stopped crying tears of joy and enjoyed the rest of the concert.
After the show we went to the Meet and Greet. Haley Scarnato and Melinda Doolittle were there. Anthony mentioned to "our family angel" Kennesha that he really wanted to meet Blake. She told him that would be difficult but if she went back to the tour bus and asked Blake to come out, would Anthony sing a song for him? Anthony agreed. 5 minutes later Kennesha was back and said that Blake would be out shortly. We met Haley first. She was so beautiful it took your breath away. She was warm and kind on the inside too and talked to the boys for a while. Anthony told her that he was Anthony from section 118 and she said, its nice to meet you Anthony. We were about to go to Melinda when Kennesha told us to come out into the hall. There was Blake Lewis and Chris Richardson surrounded by many security guards. Kennesha pushed Anthony into their path and one of the security guards yelled at Anthony to "Stay Back". The other guard said "NO, thats the kid." So Anthony and Louis were whisked away to the opposite side of the Meet and Greet room with Blake and Chris. Blake sat down at a table and Anthony was right by his side. After a few moments of being tongue tied and star struck, Anthony started singing "Broken Wing" as he promised he would do. The crowd was silent and Blake and Chris had there mouths open with surprise. When Anthony was done, Blake hugged him and signed Anthony's picture, "To Anthony, Keep using your voice and imagination, you'll reach your dreams! Peace and Respect, Blake Lewis.
After that we heard "Anthony, is that you? Get over here, I want to meet you." It was Melinda Doolittle. We went over to see her and she solved this incredible mystery for us. She told us that the Pop Tart people and Kennesha showed the idols on their tour bus at intermission, the video of Anthony singing on the concourse. All of the idols were blown away and Melinda said "I have to meet that kid." So that is how all the behind the scenes happened. Melinda then picked up Anthony, spun him around and kissed him. She asked him to sing for her. I told her, he would sing if she would sing with him. She said her voice was tired but by Anthony's third line of Signed Sealed Delivered, Melinda was joining in. Then we got more pictures, some autographs and her email so we can send her copies of the three originals that Louis and Anthony have written and recorded this summer.
It was time for the idols to leave and as the crowd said good bye, Blake and Melinda turned around and said "Goodbye Louis and Anthony keep in touch!"
So that's our story and we're sticking to it. If you don't believe us, our friend Lynette will vouch for us. So now comes the thank you part. A huge thank you to our ANGEL Kennesha, to Gina for announcing Anthony's name on stage, to Haley and Chris R. for taking the time for pictures and autographs, to our Man Blake Lewis for coming out to see us, listening to Anthony sing and all the kind words he offered to Anthony and Louis, and lastly to the beautiful Melinda. When we saw Melinda on the show we thought, she can not be that nice, its impossible.....well I am here to day to tell the world that she is even nicer in person. When you get close to Melinda you can feel the love and her faith filled heart jumping out of her body and landing on everyone who is near to her. Thank you for singing with Anthony, talking to us and all of your kind words. You are a gift from God and we love you.
Well that's it for now, sorry it was so wordy but this was truly an experience of a lifetime. Take a look at all the awesome photos we took!

Aww.. that was great! The idols seem like really nice people too. The photo itself says a thousand words... I wish there was a video of Anthony singing to them.
Posted by: omelo | March 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I have great new to share about Melinda Doolittle she will released her first album in fall and working on Holiday Cd. New website to support Melinda Career www.mdstreetteam.com you Very welcome to join
Posted by: Louise7 | July 07, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Hey sweet Anthony!
I'm so proud of you and everything you've gotten a chance to do! I can't wait to see even bigger things start to happen. You're even more amazing now than you were the first time I heard you so keep up the great work and I hope to get to hug you again sometime soon.
Love ya!
Melinda
Posted by: Melinda Doolittle | September 13, 2008 at 11:35 PM
No offense, but i suggest admin adding a google+ button for easy share!
Posted by: elliptical reviews | December 12, 2011 at 05:50 AM