Today Show May 16th, 2008

  It was Friday April 4th, 2008 when the New Kids on the Block made an appearance on the Today show to publicly announce that indeed they were reuniting and will have a brand new album coming out in the fall. They also announced that they would be making a special performance on the Today Show on Friday May 16th, 2008. When I heard that I decided that I just had to be one of the first to see them when they sing together for the first time in 14 years. I was not going to miss it! It was April 1994 when I last saw them in concert.  I made reservations at a hotel close enough to Rockefeller Center for me to walk and get in line to wait so I could be one of the first in line. The count down was on and I was so excited.  All I thought about was seeing them on May 16th.  I was "You Tubing" them all the time to see if there was any new developments, interviews or earlier appearances on the schedue.  They gave a special "rehearsal" performance at the House of Blues in L.A. to prepare for the Today show.  I so wish I lived in Los Angeles.

The day was getting closer and closer and I couldn't stay off their website checking for updates, new pictures, anything.  Thursday May 15th arrived and I was more than ready to go.  I turned the TV on at 7:00 in the morning only to find out that the line to get in for the show had already started.  I was so mad!  I wanted to be one of the first in line.  I wanted to get in the car and go but my friend Tina had to work until noon so we couldn't leave until she was finished at work.  We left around 1:00 in the afternoon to take the 2 1/2 hour drive to NYC.  The drive was good, except for my nerves as to seeing them the next morning.  I just didn't know what to expect and was hoping I would get close enough for them to look in my beautiful brown eyes.  We drove to the parking garage and walked a few blocks to check in to the hotel.  We unloaded our bags, freshened up and were off to scope out the scene.  This was around 4:00 in the afternoon.  When we walked down to where the Today show is held, nothing was set up yet.  We turned the corner and started to walk down 49th street.  Then we saw that the line was almost completely down the block.  I was shocked.  I could not believe they would have a turn out like this already.  Once I saw the line, I made my mind up.  I was getting in that line because I just had to get in for the performance.  So we grabbed something to eat real quick and went back to the hotel so I could get my things together to stand in line for the night.  By the time I got back to where the line was, the line was even longer.  I was in complete amazement and at the same time so happy that they such dedicated fans like myself.   So there I was by myself in line (Tina decided she wouldn't be able to stand in line all night) socializing with the other fans around me.  The minutes past, the hours past, non-stop conversations about Donnie, Joe, Jordan, Jon, and Danny.  Everyone was extremely excited and on a New Kids high.  Then, around midnight or 1:00 someone happens to notice Jonathan in a cab that was driving right past us.  The light had turned red so there we were with the cab right in front of us.  Jonathan was ducked down in the cab as if no one could see him.  We were alll screaming and shouting.  Such excitement!  When the light turned green and the cab made a right onto 5th avenue, Jon nearly jumped out of the cab and started waving to all of us.  How sweet.  Soon enough we were receiving wrist bands to be let into the area where they would be performing.  I was so happy that I was getting in for the show.  I so much wanted to be front and center.  Well, when it rains, it pours.  It started raining around 5:00 AM. That dampened my mood considerably. Thoughts of them canceling their performance, or limititing entrance due to the weather was running across my mind.  Fortunately, that didn't happen.  We were let in around 6:45 AM and walked right past the them doing a sound check.  I saw Donnie and my heart fell to the ground.  The time was finally here. I just stood there almost in disbelief.  Then, we were forced to move along so others could get into the area.  With everyone trying to pile themselves in to the show area, I somehow ended up in back of a press box where I could not see anything. There was huge speakers blocking the way and then photographers on the press platform that I could not see through.  There was even a catwalk that they came out on that I still could barely see who was who when I stood on my tippy toes.  They first sang a medley including Step by Step, Hangin' Tough, Dancing to the Intro of Click, Click, Click, Please Don't Go Girl, and The Right Stuff.  WOW! They were totally awesome!!!  Then they came back out to perform Summertime.  Flawless! Such smooth moves.  And oooh Jordan's falcetto.  I never ever ever get tired of hearing him sing.   Finally the last song they performed was Tonight which is definitely one of my favorites. 

Then, that was it.  I was so upset about not being able to get a good view I went straight back to the hotel, got my friend and we were on the road back home.  I did contemplate on going to Macy's to see them after the performance.  Looking back now, I would have had better luck doing that instead.  At least I would have been able to be face to face with them.  Once I arrived back home, I turned on the TV and watched the show again (I DVR'd it, of course).  Although I did not have the best view in the house, I don't regret going.  How many others can say tht they were one of 5000+ people that got to see them for there 1st televised performance in over 14 years?  So there you have it.  My first of many stories and blogs to come throughout the year. 

Good luck guys!  I am glad you are back on the block.