Elliott Yamin

I went to the James Center to see Elliott Yamin. Actually I had to photograph it as part of my day job, but I probably would have gone anyway. I just wouldn't have gotten as close as I did without being credentialed. No surprises. Sometimes you think movie stars are going to be bigger than life, and then you find they're much shorter. Elliott looked exactly like I expected, like he does on TV. Very humble guy. Must be weird to be a nobody on the local Richmond music scene...even a nobody on the total Richmond scene...and then in a span of six months or so, come home to this kind of huge reception.

Susan Greenbaum's band opened for him and ended up playing a half hour more than they planned because Elliott's limo was late. She filled in with some inane chatter. I think she thought with all the kids in the crowd, she had do Romper Room style patter between songs. The time would have been better spent explaining how important it is not to fall down on the voting next week and to get everyone you know in other states to help since the phone lines go into gridlock around here.