Monday, April 16, 2007
Celebs - Good and Bad
It was another one of those crazy whirlwind weekends which kicked off Friday night at Mono Loco. I had the pleasure of dining with 2 local celebs (and dear friends) and their significant others, along with my siggy. Vinnie Kice is a radio legend, and Beth Duffy is a tv celeb who is about to make her reappearance as an anchor on CBS 19. Despite their local popularity, both of them are as nice as can be, not only to friends, but to anyone who approaches them. I mention this, because below I will not be so kind to another 'local' celeb. As for dinner, Mono Loco had changed their menu since the last time I was there. While it is still Tex-Mex for the most part, it was nice to see tuna steak on the menu for us seafood lovers. It was mostly burritos for everyone else, and all loved their meals. The prices have gone up slightly, but one thing is for sure...you will not leave hungry or disappointed. Throw in a couple of Coronas and you'll leave pretty happy, too!
Saturday night it was on to Starr Hill for dinner and Daughtry. I've mentioned Starr Hill's dinner before, but I actually ventured out this time and had the salmon. Once again, it was excellent. Gretchen had the ravioli, and Rosey opted for the salmon. We ate early, so that we would be able to head upstairs to get good floor position for one of Rosey's favorite performers, Chris Daughtry. As we watched the people waiting in the rain outside in line, I had decided that getting wet would not make for a good evening and convinced the rest of my party of the same. Besides, Starr Hill Music Hall is not that big, and anywhere we stood we would be able to see just fine. (We had help in coming to this conclusion as the rain started to POUR.) Once upstairs, we were able to catch one of the opening acts, Cinder Road. (The picture here is Rosey with two of the guys in Cinder Road.) We thoroughly enjoyed them, and they were so nice to come down into the audience for photos after their set. The next band was okay, but not quite as good as Cinder Road, so we waited for the main attraction. 
I'm assuming that the concert for Daughtry was sold out at Starr Hill, not only because everyone saw him on AI, but also because he was a 'local boy' who made good. He's been featured in all of our C'ville newsmags this past week and been the buzz of the town. So, you would figure he would come into town and have a big meet n greet before or after the show with the fans, or at least a few C'ville radio or TV winners. Well, being in local radio, I know that he didn't have any meet n greet with our listeners. As a matter of fact, a rep for Starr Hill had told me directly that there would be no meet n greets with Daughtry. So, I thought he just didn't do those kinds of things. Some artists don't. Well, during dinner, I found out some disturbing news. A Richmond station had not only given away meet 'n greet passes for this C'ville show, but had also given away a 'grand prize' of a 'day with Chris Daughtry' type thing. Let me see, was he booked at the Richmond Coliseum? Oh no, that's right, he was booked at Charlottesville's Starr Hill, which is just down the road from the venues he used to play in high school. Hmmm. Was this Chris' doing or his record company? Either way, it was disappointing to hear and left me with a bad vibe for Mr. Daughtry, not because I wanted to meet him, but I know my friend Rosey did. She was one of the first people to buy his CD, before anyone even realized that his album was out.
As far as his performance went, it was okay. He didn't seem very personable, but he is obviously talented. I just fear that the fame has already gone to his bald head. And who am I to say anything. Maybe he deserves to be a little selective in the markets that he caters to and was forced to perform at Starr Hill because he booked it way before his song shot up the charts. Regardless, everyone I have spoken with since the concert just loved his performance. Good thing, because I have a feeling he won't be back around these parts unless it's at JPJ. And even then, no 'local' people will be at his meet n greet.
Note: If you know anything different from what I have written above (i.e. you are local and were able to meet with him), then please e-mail me where it says 'Talk to Angie' on the left. I would love to think better of this guy. - A
# posted by Angie @ 10:14 AM 
