By all accounts, David Archuleta is a very positive and appreciative person. We have seen this demonstrated over and over again in the past year and a half or so. Still, I think that some things that David wrote last week in his blog and on Twitter during some difficult circumstances show him really going above and beyond in the positive outlook department.

Last Tuesday, David posted this message on Twitter:

Ugh I feel terrible. No fun being sick. Thankfully we have 2 days off, so hopefully I’ll be ok by the next show lol.

Later that night, in response to some well-wishes, David wrote a couple more things:

Thanks @realbrookewhite! Just been trying to rest and haven’t been on the computer much today since I’m sick. Hope you guys understand! :)

But P.S. Hi to everyone! And thanks for your get better messages!!! You guys are too nice haha :)

Notice that even as David was letting us know that he was sick and felt terrible, he still punctuated his messages with “lol” and smiley faces. (Hopefully they helped him to feel a little bit better as he wrote them!) He also was finding a positive thing to focus on by being thankful that he had two days off, so that he could have a chance to recover by the time he next had to perform. David also made sure to let everyone know that he appreciated the get-well messages that they were sending to him.

The blog that David posted the next day gave us yet more information on how he had been feeling. Here is the relevant paragraph:

So I was planning on doing a video blog for this week, but I haven’t been feeling too well at all for the last couple of days. So I while I was planning on the video blog, I wasn’t planning on getting sick lol. So I’ll just have to figure out when the next time for a video blog will work. I’m already feeling a whole lot better than yesterday though! We had our drive from Oklahoma to Arizona that day. I spent 24 hours on our bus, because even though we finally got to the hotel I was feeling too sick to move lol. But things are well! I’ve been sleeping, resting, sleeping and resting like crazy. Thanks for all of your concerns and thoughts! I’ve really appreciated it. I’m hoping to be in good shape for all of you coming to the Arizona show tomorrow!

While David told us that he hadn’t been “feeling too well at all” for a couple of days, in typical optimistic fashion, he also let us know that he was glad that his condition had improved from the previous day. Improvement was definitely a good thing, because, from this blog excerpt, we learn just how sick David actually had been — he didn’t even feel well enough to get off the bus to go into the hotel! But, he did not dwell on that negative experience, instead laughing and telling us that “things are well!” as he’d been resting and sleeping and hoping to get better soon. Once again, David also expressed his thanks and appreciation for the fact that people had been concerned about him.

I think that most people have a tougher time than usual being upbeat, friendly, and “themselves” when they are sick. It is possible that David may have had some irritable or depressed moments during his illness last week, but, if what he shared with us on Twitter and in his blog is any indication, they did not predominate. His messages are just filled with positivity, appreciation, hope, and the cheerful personality that we have come to know.

The Twitter post that struck me as the most remarkable of all was written by David last Thursday. He said:

Arizona show is tonight! Feel sooo much better! Had a great relaxing couple of days off. What perfect timing for getting sick lol. woot

I could understand David’s enthusiasm for feeling much better after what he’d gone through and also the fact that he could see a silver lining in having been sick during a time that he did not have to do a show, but I was amazed that he could call two days spent resting during a serious bout of illness a “great relaxing couple of days off!” That seems to be a rather extreme case of looking on the bright side, but I think that it just shows us yet again how truly positive David Archuleta’s outlook on life is. This seems to help him to enjoy life and to be a genuinely happy person, and that is a wonderful thing. Perhaps if we try to add just a little more positivity to our lives, at least under normal circumstances, we’ll also gain more happiness. It seems to work for David!

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Several heated discussions are the buzz this weekend debating the pros and cons of David Archuleta’s tour with Demi Lovato. Good or bad? Helping or hurting ? Is Jive promoting the right way? Why aren’t his sales better? Is he too tired? Is he becoming too Disney? - ANSWERS: Probably good, Acquiring new fans, Time will tell, Are they bad?, Sometimes, No.

Many fans are short–termed focused and can’t see beyond the gratification of instant fame for David. Experience and exposure will give him the credibility necessary for sustained popularity.

Moving past the Disney machine may take more than just great talent. As Chaucer wrote, “Money is the root of all evil.” Money talks, especially in the entertainment fields and marketing an individual has no resemblance to talent. It’s all about what can sell. You saturate young people with large loud glitzy productions with costume changes and great hair and makeup and magically you have a sought after idol doll. The music quality doesn’t matter as long as it’s entertaining. Ever wonder why so many artists play instruments, dance and sing? - The audience gets bored easily - most artists today don’t have enough talent just to sing. They disguise their lack of vocal ability with keeping the audience occupied and distracted with stage presence and gimmicks.

Reflecting back to the AI Tour of Season 7, I recall the difference in noise level and lighting when Cook came out after David’s set. Grant you, he was the season winner but the intention was to get our attention and distract the audience with glitz instead of vocal genius. David doesn’t need that to keep us interested. Once you hear him live you can’t resist another look.

In this high speed techno internet, video saturated, fast food, wanting everything yesterday world, we have become less interested in quality and more in quantity. David is quality and well worth waiting for in whatever form you see him. Be patient and the rewards will definitely outweigh anytime spent. Have faith in David - I do - He will not disappoint us. Give him love and support and the room for expressing his music his way and show him how proud we are by continuing to promote his albums.

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Wow! Look what I found on Jive’s Twitter!

David Archuleta’s Album on their background Twitter Page! They definitely should have this up all the time. Perhaps this is their current promotion of David, his album, and the recent Fan Pack! It’s nice to see David’s Album Cover being exposed for all to see. We need more of this Jive - Keep it coming!

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Just as Michael Jackson shot to fame at a young age, David Archuleta is in the beginning stages of his career while only a teenager. And like countless other peers and fans, the singer is already feeling the loss of the King of Pop.

“I’m really devastated to see the loss of such an amazing and inspiring artist,” Archuleta tells PopEater. “Michael Jackson has been one of the most influential artists to me and so many other people around the world.”
The ‘American Idol’ singer urges others to remember Jackson for his prolific contributions to the pop world. Archuleta says to PopEater, “While I’m really sad to hear that he has passed, I hope that the people will now appreciate the amazing work he did and not focus on the hardships he faced.”

The moment the plane touched down in Salt Lake City I saw in the background the majestic, snow covered mountains.  I was now filled with excitement for the grand occasions to unfold.  Friends were making sure that I had arrived safely and that there were people close by to meet with in the morning.

The following afternoon, we entered Abravanel Hall and attended a most enjoyable VIP.  We spent time with David at the sound check where he introduced for the first time the amazing songs “Fields of Gold” and “The Riddle”.  Both songs were to be kept a surprise for the evening concert.  Enormous Christmas balls hung from the rafters of the stage as the colorful spotlights shone out beyond them in all directions. Artistically designed snowy Christmas trees, completed the holiday background.  The stage was set.

As the people slowly took to their seats, Benton Paul introduced himself.  An accomplished singer with a charming personality, Benton Paul provided us with a set of songs that let us know that the concert tour was going to be a wonderful success.

In the shadows of the dimly lit stage, the band swiftly took their places.  The houselights went up and the crowd erupted into cheers as David made his way to his rightful place at center stage.  As he began to sing, cheers resonated throughout the hall and everyone rose applauding.  The young fellow, a native Utahn, had come home again as an accomplished musician, known worldwide in the hearts of millions as a musical phenomena.

Following his pop selections, including the ever popular Zero Gravity, David left the stage with the band for a quick change.  A curtain was raised and the stringed instruments, woodwinds and harp came into view.  Once again the stage was set and we were about to hear the celebration of Christmas carols arranged especially for him.  David’s drummer and guitarist now came under the leadership of the conductor.  The complete transformation was genius and answered all of my questions on how he was going to make the transformation from pop music to classical Christmas music.  This was my dream, to see David with orchestra and choir.

One by one, each carol took us to new heights of spirituality.  The angelic presence of the children’s choir for Ave Maria, added one more touch of reverence and artistry.  The swell of the orchestra accompanied by the passion in David’s voice left us in awe and wonderment.  In What Child is This David sang quietly and gently as if he actually was seeing the baby in the manger with mother Mary and the protective shepherds watching from a distance.   It was becoming truly a magnificent concert.

We applauded and we rose to our feet as David graciously bowed to the audience, shook hands with the conductor, acknowledged the orchestra and left the stage.  Thunderous applause gathered momentum until we were confident that he would return for an encore.  Smoke swirled up from the stage floor and surrounded the baby grand piano as David reappeared for O Holy Night.  Every emotion on his face slowly seeped into our hearts and souls leaving us spellbound.  Following the closing notes of the song, he bowed his head once again but this time for a few moments of personal acknowledgment.

As I walked back to my hotel, I felt an overwhelming feeling of serenity.  Did this feeling come from the Salt Lake temple in the background, the waterfalls in the walkways, or maybe it was from simply finding myself in one of David’s favorite places. Whatever the reason, it was so wonderful to be there.

When I returned to my room that evening and without a pause, I turned on my computer and listened to him sing once again, as I tried to become settled with the wonders of his amazing voice.

I was delighted that I had made the decision to stay another day to take in the second concert.  We were absolutely blessed to have two concerts back to back.  Entering the hall for the second evening, I found my seat once again in row seven.  I found myself sitting next to the Richard Parkinson and his wife.  It was a fun filled evening talking before the concert about music and spotting the special guests as they took their seats.

I wondered if I would be as excited for the second concert, and being of sound musical mind, I enjoyed the second concert just as much as the first.  To be able to hear David’s voice one more time before heading back to the east coast was glorious.  One of David’s own favorite carols is Pat a Pan.  At the beginning there was a technical glitch that would have seen me panic if I was singing, but David did not falter and kept on singing.   Following the ending of the carol, appreciative fans rose to the occasion and applauded his expertise.

Kurt Bestor, who arranged David’s scores, was introduced and accompanied David on the piano once again for Ave Maria.  Both Mr. Bestor and the orchestra’s conductor showed on their faces the great admiration they hold for David.  The orchestra, choir and David were in perfect balance bringing chills to all who watched and tears to many.  Concert number two brought us another chance to listen to David and his mother Lupe sing I’ll be Home For Christmas, which was without a doubt an audience favorite ending with another standing ovation.  The opening concerts for David’s Christmas tour were over and I knew that I was going to be a little sad but joyful all at the same time.

Leaving Salt Lake City on the beautiful Thanksgiving morning, I wondered how I was going to be able to relate the tales of David’s first opening concerts.  I knew that I wanted the readers to be able to visualize what we saw, understand what we had heard and to be able to feel the overwhelming emotions that we would be left with for a very long time.

The title “Christmas From the Heart” is a title perfectly chosen by an artist of great distinction.

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