I used to think I didn’t have any luck, especially when it came to my favorite musicians. I’ve loved Jesse McCartney since he first stepped onto the scene with “Beautiful Soul” at the tender age of 16. Since then he’s put even more hits under his belt, got some acting done and captured a million hearts (including mine) along the way.
It was a Wednesday evening when I saw it; a tweet from 98.7 AMP Radio with the instructions to retweet it for a chance to win passes to their Switch Party with Jesse McCartney the next day. I had to take a chance, although I wasn’t sure how much hope I wanted to hold out. 10 minutes later I got the Direct Message: “Congratulations! You’ve won passes to our Switch Party with Jesse McCartney!”
I couldn’t breathe. Did I even deserve this?
There was one small snag though; I had to work and the Switch Party was scheduled for 1:00pm. I’d have to take care of my store afterward and I wasn’t sure how long the party would last. To say I was stressed about it was an understatement but I wasn’t about to give up this opportunity.
So the next morning I printed out the boarding passes I’d need for the weekend, (see my Atlanta post to read about that trip) gave my mother a ride to work and headed to Southfield. I was pretty early but I had my iPod to entertain me while I waited to pick up my wristbands. When I finally did we were met with a big blow; Jesse and his crew had been held up at the border and were running really late.
SHIT.
I stuck with my decision, my first instinct; I could not pass up this opportunity to see Jesse up close. It had been a dream of mine for a while now and I wasn’t about to let it go now. So I sucked it up for the next hour, knowing full well my work schedule would be thrown off and not caring one bit. I’d get it done. It was worth the wait.
After what felt like forever they finally led us to a back studio where a couple seats and speakers were set up. Jesse McCartney would be sitting right there singing to us. Excitement shot through me like adrenaline and my heart was trying to come through my chest. And the moment came all too soon; five minutes later he walked out of a door to our right. “Hey guys!” he said, beaming and taking his place on the stool in front of us.
Jesse sang a new song first, called “Tie The Knot.” It was catchy and had a beautiful melody! Applause filled the room when he finished, then died down again when he opened the floor for questions. He told us he was working on an EP to release later this year as well. Then he sang the big kahuna, his first hit “Beautiful Soul.” I’d been living for the day when I could watch him sing this acoustically. First dream come to fruition.
I wasn’t sure we’d get pictures with him since I’d never been to an AMP Radio Switch Party…I wasn’t sure how things went down. But when they announced it was time, my friend and I got lucky enough to be near the front of the line. When it was our turn I sent my friend in front of me first; my stomach was doing a thousand flip flops a minute. I smiled at him and told him my name, he smiled back and said “All rightttt, get in here” and pulled me under his arm for our picture.
He felt so warm and comfortable. I smiled right into the camera and as soon as the photog snapped Jesse rubbed my back (!!!!) and let us go. Before I walked away I turned to him and opened my arms for one of the best hugs I’ve ever gotten in my life. He smelled so good and I could feel his arms wrapped around me. I was a little flustered when I got back to my car and had to squeal since I had that privacy. Work went by quickly afterward and I spent the rest of the evening recapping the day’s events and preparing for my flight the next morning.
It was one of those magical days that only come around once in a lifetime. I’ve been into Jesse McCartney for almost 10 years now and to finally have a chance to show him my appreciation in person meant the world to me. His voice is incredible live too.
Dreaming big isn’t always easy and you’ll probably have to struggle and make sacrifices, but it’s more than worth it in the end. Go for what you want, the only one stopping you is you. Thanks Jesse, for giving me a little bit of life that day. I’ll never forget it.
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