REWIND -

It’s the end of June, and everything was going haywire but Phil E. and I were on our way to do shoutouts at 52 stops across the country, a party with fans in DC, going to David’s hometown, etc…  The site was kept in great company with volunteers in place and it all seemed fine.

We started in Glendale, AZ, picked up Cody, then it was on to San Diego, Fresno, Vegas, Los Angeles, San Jose, Sacramento, Portland, Tacoma and Salt Lake City.

But on July 15th my world came to a crashing halt, I was heartbroken.  I felt like a bird at 500 feet with a clipped wing in the wind and I was falling fast.

At that point, I could no longer sustain what I needed financially to keep going on.  I was summoned home cause I could no longer pay for anyone to watch an ill mother, I could not pay for anything, nothing anymore.

AN AMBITIOUS & VERY EXPENSIVE PROJECT -

It was a calculated $70,000 journey, and I had less than $8,000 in hand.  I kept believing that with what I had and what I could collect on the road would be enough and it wasn’t.

MY VISION AND O.D.D. -

This was supposed to be a tour documentary where I video tape the fans, document their stories, city by city, concert to concert, and compile it down to a DVD set in the end that David and his family would have as a keepsake, and possibly make it available at the end of the tour for fans.

Don’t ask me how I came up with this grand idea, but I can tell you that O.D.D. got the best out of me.  Now, in this sobering state, if you asked me if I would do it again, I would say yes only with upfront financial backing, a well laid plan and a lot of drivers!

TROUBLE.

A special party was planned for Washington D.C. and people paid in advance for dinner and entertainment.  Donations and ticket money were thrown into a personal account.  I collected $5,777 in a chat marathon, and the rest came in the form of donations over time.

Some who may have thought that I was using my mom’s illness as a way out but they were not aware that I had to pay someone to care for her while I was away.  People were also not aware that I had to pay a driver $500 a week plus expenses.  Most had thoughts of where $7800.00 went and it all didn’t make sense.

I asked an outside company to handle merchandise for FanBlast while I was on the tour, the volunteers in place were given access to the site to keep everyone up to date with articles, they were wonderful, all of them!

I leaned on several people to help me keep it going financially until I can get a business account established after I return from the tour and that was the problem.  But from that point on, I realized that it wasn’t a safe passage, and it had a destiny of doom.

Bottom line, mistakes were made and I take full responsibility, because of your prayers my mother is better, has been for just over a month now. I’m doing well, David’s album came out, and his official site is ready to launch.

THIS WAS MY TIME TO ACT -

FanBlast offered lasting memories, great ones and some not so great ones.  But I am in my right to fix the not-so great ones and make it right.

I am not looking for an easy way out on this one.  I will work hard with what skills I picked up and earn money to pay people back.  I have to make it right, i’m just asking a little bit of patience.

The people I owe an apology to are the fans who felt duped or betrayed when they sent in money but only got empty promises.  Everyone else should keep their opinions to themselves and stay positive.  Yes you can draw an opinion, and sure everyone is open to judge, it’s a world of free thinkers.  But I am owning up to my mistakes, isn’t that good enough for those who question my character?  Let’s move on folks.

I may be down, but i’m not out: Because through the thick of it, I kept FanBlast going.  Bringing it back to what thing’s used to be before the tour… with no advertising, donations, sponsors, no monetary income.

People may react to the fact that this blog is worth over $20,000 today, but that’s not what this was all about. It’s nice to know that there’s something out there that would place some value to my hard work, but I did this for you, the fans.  I did not ask for any more money, ask no one for help but some came forward to help because they understood where I was coming from.

I asked these volunteers to stay with me, for a commitment until David’s album comes out or his official site goes live.  Well my volunteers had to move on, this was the time where I had to let them go so they could go on with their lives.

Now I am the one left standing at the doorstep, and this is it.

Throughout this journey the fans kept me going.  You left the light on for me, in my darkest hours so I can find my way back home.

THE FORK IN THE ROAD -

You know I can go on, naming names, pointing fingers and taking the low road to judge how other people treated me, but I’m not going to.  That’s a sucker’s punch.

It would be easy to take the defensive and reveal some awful bad things, but I look at the site, and I read your comments and lastly, I look at David and his journey and I will stay focused and keep traveling the high road.

This is true grace under fire.

Now I am not asking for pity.  Although I felt ganged up by fans who “wanted nothing to do with me anymore” and they pretty much left me for dead.

There was nothing I could do in the early on because I had tend to family issues and figure out how to put food on my table.  I did not have a job and subsequently had to rely on foodstamps just to eat.

So folks that’s the story and i’m not going past this point except to get my life in order. I told you everything. I made mistakes and learned a good lesson at that.

In the last 14 weeks since this nightmare, I kept my composure and kept FanBlast the way you’ve come to know and enjoy on a daily basis.

Those affected who need to contact me can always reach me at fanblastworld@gmail.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT -

Several people I want to personally thank.  Jeff and Lupe, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share your stories, thanks for the handshakes and I must say that Lupe gives the best hugs.  Claudia for her constant texts back in the day, Daniel, Amber, and Jazzy for the high fives.

Brett, Cindy and the rest of the Hales family, OMGosh I can thank you enough.

Dar Seacrest (haha, what a surname).  She is a piece of work in the most loving way!

Richard and Karla for their hard work and determination to do all that is right for David and his fans.

April for her expertise in handling all of the FanBlast merchandise.

Leticia who assisted in so many ways.  She is a wonderful spirit and for a time, she was my guiding light.

To Gail Hyatt, Jenny, Becky, Dustin, Michael, Anne, Mary, Christie, just to name a few of the people who remained stellar throughout the first four months of FanBlast and they really kept things running smooth.  Talk about mad skillz!

And to my original FanBlast Team from back in the day, all of you! I cannot name all of you because that would take days but you know who you are!

Phil E. and Cody D. - who stuck it out as far as they physically and mentally could.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I’m not done with you yet Mr. Mixmaster!

David’s Auntie Lauri for offering advice and sharing a few stories on the phone.

And most of all I want to thank the loving support I got from David’s maternal family.  They became my pillar of support, the reason why I continued and I hung on when the going got tough and they rallied behind me in spirit:

David’s grandfather (thanks for your autographed book), Grandma Guadalupe, David’s Aunts (special shoutout to Martha and Reina), and cousins (heya Vanessa), all of them.  I enjoyed being in their company and being accepted as if I was a part of their family.  Thanksgiving is around the corner and I wish you all my best!

And lastly, I thank David Archuleta.  I won’t gush or get all Rickey’ish (haha pun intended Rickey).

David, even though we’ve met a number of times, I found that it wasn’t ever necessary that we meet, as weird as it sounds.  FanBlast made it feel like I was always up to date with what was going on.  In some way, it felt like I had a friend that I always caught up with on a daily basis.  Don’t take this the wrong way, but it was pretty “awkward” meeting you that first time haha!

THE DIFFERENCE -

I have been asked by several “outsiders” to start a fansite or website for them or their group, band, etc… because they loved what I did for David.  But it’s not the same.  Now if they pay me a nice salary haha yeah I could force myself to like doing it.

But with David Archuleta FanBlast - this was different, it was genuine.  I was diligent, extremely vigilant, keeping on top of every email, article and comment to uphold the dignity of what David would be so proud to be a part of.  This is something that has his name on it.  This wasn’t a place to lash at other people or at each other, sorry.

When it comes to creating and managing sites for other people or entities, I could not apply the same warmth, passion, and the community I provided you, the fans.  For others, it would be superficial.

Everyone?…  FanBlast is my soul.  If you fell in love with this site, then you own part of this beautiful light.  It is like an aura that captures you and you can’t help but wonder what you can do to make a difference.

David’s light has inspired me to do well, and to honor.

Through his music, and in being true to himself and to other people.  He is our hero in so many ways:  the one who we admire, the one who we embrace, and the one we look after.

I poured my heart and soul into keeping this site fresh, safe for kids and witty for adults and something even a grandma would be proud of.  Really, for these nine months out of my life, this was a true labour of love!

But I can’t do it anymore, not like this.

I am broken financially.  And that’s the God’s honest truth.  So i’m moving on with my life and since FanBlast is my life too… we both bid you a fond aloha.

From the bottom of my heart, I THANK YOU - and always stay true, especially to the ones you love.

“Forgiving hearts will always prevail over unforgiving souls.”

- -Eric - founder/owner of FanBlast, Long Beach, CA

As we approach the start of a new era in David Archuleta reporting, we have to stop for a moment and recognize a great fanbase.

David has THE best fans, maybe a litte too fanatic at times but, the most dedicated.

After months of exclusive reporting, FanBlast is now ready to pass the baton, if you will, on to his official team!

This was all part of our commitment, to keep it going until David’s official website goes public.  After 5,000,000 visits, this was an amazing journey for us!

Always,

Eric and the volunteers of FanBlast 4 David Archuleta

*****************************************

SIDE NOTES

Our last promotion to the Archies is set for Nov 28th - It’s TWEEN, TEEN & BFF Archies Day - more details this week.

A final send-off - ‘chocking secrets’ - chat is set for Sunday, Nov 30th!

For your daily fix here are other sites you may want to visit:

• Archuleta Fan Scene
• David Archuleta Fan.net
• David Archuleta Fanz
• David Archuleta.org
• David Fans.net
• David HQ
• Everything David Archuleta
• MJ’s Big Blog
• Noting David
• Rickey.org
• The Golden Archies Official Website

FORUMS AND BOARDS:

• ArchuletaFans
• David Archuleta’s Golden Archies

CHAT AND SOCIAL COMMUNITY:

• FanShare Chat Channel

SPECIAL INTEREST:

• RoederRave Channel
• Sonic Ether’s Remix of Think of Me

Here’s another great video tribute from Nate!

We just finished a special list and we wanted to share it with you.

Hope you all like it! Thank you so much!

-Amanda M. and Madison P.
Bolton, CT and Mission Viejo, CA

101 Reasons Fanblast 4 David Archuleta Shouldn’t Leave Our Lives:
1. Fanblast reports first, and you’re the best at it.
2. You have over five million hits, saying fans love you.
3. We’ve made great friends from all over the world.
4. You’re the only one that international fans know to come to. You care about them.
5. There would be no more caption parties.
6. There would be no more block parties.
7. There would be no more fantasy photo opportunities.
8. There would be no more poster contests.
9. Eric and the rest of the volunteers are the best reporters and the sweetest people.
10. Half of the other fansites for David Archuleta get their information from you.
11. It’s easy to navigate on your site.
12. You get interviews before any other site.
13. You have contests, leading to great opportunities for David fans.
14. We’ll miss you too much! Fanblast has become part of our everyday lives for the longest time.
15. No one wants it to go. Thousands of fans are in tears because of the news.
16. There would be no more online polls.
17. Without Fanblast, David probably wouldn’t be number one on Vh1 so many times.
18. David wouldn’t get as much support on Musiqtone.
19. Fanblast records interviews and aires them on Youtube so everyone can watch.
20. Fanblast provides several more answers then other sites.
21. Everyone has the most discussion in the comments section and leaves comments more than any other David site I’ve been on.
22. Fanblast gives out VIP opportunities along with tickets and activities.
23. Fanblast keeps us up to date with the latest appearances from David, giving us wonderful opportunities to see him and even meet him.
24. Every single one of the workers on Fanblast are EXTREMELY nice and generous.
25. No bad things are ever said about David on this site, we all get along great. (No dissagreements)
26. It’s a HUGE promoter for David Archuleta.
27. If there was no Fanblast, all the people that we’ve become friends with would spread apart and we’d never get to share that bond again.
28. The fans will do anything for the site to stay. Promised.
29. Fans love how you include us, the fans, in your David updates. It really makes us feel special.
30. It’s agreed, by many people, that David’s biggest support is from Fanblast.
31. Without Fanblast, David would fall behind in the polls.
32. Fans wouldn’t be able to e-mail their stories to you and share them with thousands of Archies and Arch Angels all over the world.
33. We wouldn’t be able to have the fan address to send mail to our beloved David!
34. Us fans wouldn’t have the hilarious videos of David such as him singing along to “So What” by P!NK or the “Flying Undies” video.
35. On David’s official site, they won’t update everyday, leaving fans hanging.
36. David’s official site won’t have the close relationship that people on Fanblast have.
37. David’s official site won’t have information from a fan perspective. It will most likely be blogs and promotions.
38. We wouldn’t get our daily David fix.
39. If Fanblast closes by the end of the month, we won’t be able to celebrate David’s birthday next month.
40. There would be no more live chats where we could interact with other Archies and Arch Angels.
41. If there were no chats we couldn’t *headbang* and type along to our favorite Archie songs!
42. Without Fanblast, we couldn’t have gathered over two hundred Archies and Arch Angels in NYC on an extremely cold day to support David.
43. Fanblast gave out passes to get into TRL so two lucky fans could get their visit with David and see him perform.
44. Fanblast is giving out passes to the AMAs so, once again, lucky fans can get their chance to see David and see him present an award!
45. Fanblast always has the most up-to-date pictures of our David.
46. Fanblast has the MOST AMAZING David Archuleta biography and it’s always completely accurate.
47. As quoted from several different online discussion websites; “David Archuleta’s extremely succesful Fanblast Site..” I, and others believe that Fanblast is the best site out there for David. Seriously, you guys are never wrong.
48. Fanblast interviews people from all over David’s hometown letting us get to know more about David.
49. Fanblast is the first place several people go for David information. Everyone knows that every new update is posted on Fanblast so they don’t bother wandering all over the internet for David news.
50. When I look up David Archuleta Fanblast on Google, people have had nothing but nice things to say about it on all the websites I’ve been to talking about you.
51. Fanblast gives you spoilers as soon as they’re leaked or put onto the internet.
52. Fanblast accomodates all ages. From the youngest Archies to the oldest Archies, they’re all happy.
53. On other sites, there’s too much bashing of our David and the other contestants.
54. Davids family and possibly even David, himself, visit Fanblast and they all have great things to say about it.
55. Fanblast supports David’s official websites 100%. You even have the links on your homepage!
56. Fanblast gives equal opportunities to everyone. You give us interviews from all over the United States and you give us chances to learn more about when David’s coming to our area.
57. You supply us with all the American Idol videos.
58. You also supply us with all the American Idols Live Tour 2008 videos of our David from traveling all around America. (And in Canada!)
59. Without Fanblast, we won’t know if Davids going down in the polls.
60. Fanblast supplies us with reviews of David’s album.
61. Fanblast also supplies us with reviews from the American Idols Live Tour 2008 and his Crush performances.
62. Fanblast has all of the Q&A sessions David does with TV shows and radio stations.
63. Fanblast doesn’t advertise like other sites.
64. Fanblast gives all the fans who have their crushes on Mr. David James Archuleta their share of adorable pictures and interviews to get their ODD pressure going high.
65. Fanblast is part of our lives. We would never “migrate away” from Fanblast. That’s like “migrating away from our home.
66. Fanblast even has whole new Fanblast sites in a language that is understood in world-wide countries.
67. Fanblast gets the latest info on what magazines David and his friends are going to be in. (Elle!)
68. Fanblast has a whole section on David’s time off. We get to find out what kind of fun activities David’s been doing like the Jason Mraz concert and David spending time with his siblings in Disney.
69. At Fanblast, you give out fan honors telling people that their hard work is appreciated in making montages, posters, and telling us their stories.
70. Fanblast lets you vote for posters, letting people vote on who they think deserves the tickets or passes the most.
71. Fanblast has been with us ever since the beginning of American Idol supporting the guy that we love the most.
72. Eric and all the other workers and volunteers at Fanblast put so much effort and determination into their work at Fanblast. They truly don’t know how much it’s appreciated. We would be lost without you guys.
73. Fanblast has special days where one thing can be celebrated all day such as International Archies Day and today, you even went to the original layout from way back when and it brings back memories of the early American Idol days.
74. Fanblast has a section where fans can post where they’ve heard David’s music. It was always cool to hear the stories about the crazy places fans have heard David!
75. You post all of David’s new video blogs so instead of searching Youtube, we could just get it here at Fanblast.
76. If you ask a question on Fanblast, you ALWAYS get an answer. In the comments, everyone’s so friendly and they have the answers for everything!
77. Without Fanblast, we wouldn’t have gotten news that Davids solo tour is starting as early as February or March!
78. Fanblast lead up to David’s release day, anxiously, and you even started to do the countdown of the American Idol performances. Several people were walking around those days screaming “TODAY’S WHEN YOU BELIEVE DAY!” or “TODAY’S ANGELS DAY!”
79. David’s official site will report on things that already happened, while Fanblast reports on nthings that are going to happen giving us a heads up incase we want to go, watch it on TV, or record it.
80. Fanblast uploads concert footage from all different views. Whether it be the tour, the visits to places, or autograph signings, you guys have it.
81. When people feel motivated to share their experiences, you put them on Fanblast.
82. Fanblast has a list of radio stations that play Crush so we could call them and request over and over again.
83. Along with the fanmail address, Fanblast supplies us with step by step instructions on how to send it smoothly withoutt any problems.
84. With the instructions, it makes it easier for fans to send mail to David and even get a reply with an autograph!
85. People spend hours and hours on Fanblast, refreshing pages to see if anything new was posted. Some may even slack of from doing their homework. (;
86. It’s mostly Fanblast that’s kept David number one on Vh1 for five weeks!
87. Fanblast-goers have been constantly voting for David on Musiqtone, leading to several weeks now at number one.
88. Fanblast tells us about every single article David’s ever in, unlike some other sites who only put up some.
89. In the chatroom, Brenda works really hard to keep the music and interviews going. She tries to play what we ask for so we’re all happy.
90. Many people don’t pay attention to how much work is put into Fanblast and if you stay, we promise to respect it.
91. If money’s an issue, there are so many people willing to send money.
92. If volunteers are an issue, we’re happy to help out with ANYTHING we can.
93. We’ll help with information if that’s what’s needed; anything. We promise.
94. When you search something on Google David Archuleta related, something Fanblast is always in the top answers.
95. So many people go straight from Fanblast to Itunes to buy David’s songs and video.
96. Fanblast even has a section for Arch Angels from all over the world to report their David news. Local news articles, reviews, and stories can be sent in.
97. Fanblast got us, and SEVERAL other David fans obsessed with Mr. David James Archuleta. Before Fanblast, we just loved him, but now, we can say we’re fully in love.
98. Even Cook-fans are upset that Fanblast is closing. We’ve both got friends who are beyond shocked.
99. Fanblast will be dearly missed if it’s shut down. A part of us will be gone. We’ve been checking this site everyday for so long now and we just can’t stand to see it go.
100. Madison met Amanda.
101. Amanda met Madison.

*****************************************************************

Special Tribute by SGJ:

Excerpt from Billboard:

…”American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta starting at No. 2 with his self-titled 19 Recordings/Jive album on sales of 183,000.

This lands David’s debut album at the #2 spot on The Billboard 200

Click on the graphic above to read the Billboard article

A recent and in-depth interview with David Archuleta when he was in New York.

From the moment he slid down Bonnie’s Firehouse ShowPole you knew that this TV appearance would be an instant fan favorite!

David performing CRUSH:

Great moment when Kathy and David meet up backstage after the Bonnie Hunt Show taping on Monday.

HERE’S THAT VIDEO KATHY WAS REFERRING TO:

Special thanks to 1DavidArchuleta for posting the first video!

BONUS - Read a fan’s story of her journey to see David on the show:

I went to that taping and it was amazing. So I’m gonna share my story because it’s kinda crazy.

So I was on the boards at a different David site and someone mentioned that they had an extra ticket and asked if anyone near the LA area wanted to go. So I sent him a message saying that I live about 2 hrs away from LA and I would love to go.

So we discussed plans back and forth for about a week and then I hadn’t heard from him in a few days. So I emailed him and asked if there were any updates or anything. I got a message from him early Sunday morning saying that the person he’d talked to about tickets,

Marcus told him the tickets had been mailed but they never showed up. So he said he wasn’t going to come down. So I decided that since I was jipped out of getting to go to the concert in RI in sept. (The hotel I had reservations with doesn’t let people under 21 check in, meaning I had to cancel my flight, and hotel and I wasn’t able to sell my ticket to anyone. This all happened the night before I was supposed to fly out.)

I wasn’t going to let a little thing like not having tickets stop me from seeing David. So I left a message on Marcus’ voicemail explaining the problem. I was planning on staying with a friend up at Pepperdine University in Malibu since it’d be easier to get to the show from there.

So we stayed up late working on my gifts for David and his family (I made David a shirt and everyone in his family got hand made totebags including Daniel and Jeff who got nike style back packs) So anyway, I hadn’t heard back from Marcus (not that I would have since it was Sunday) and the person that was also supposed to be going hadn’t responded to my previous message. So I had basically decided that I was just going to hang out with my friend and not go.

At about 9:30 am Monday morning, I got a call from Marcus (I missed it but I still have the voicemail) saying that if I just told him the name of the person who made the reservation, and he was on Marcus’ list, I could get in. So I only had the person’s first name. I gave it to Marcus but he said the person wasn’t on the list. So I asked what else I could do. He said that I could still come and be standby and I might be able to get in.

He also said that it was a long shot since there were already so many people there by then. So I talked it over with my friend and I decided that I should just go anyway. So I drove over to the studio (after getting lost). As I drove up, I saw a huge line of people and my heart sank realizing that I wasn’t going to get in. So I figured if I could at least give my gift bag to security to give to David, the day wouldn’t be a total loss.

So I went up and talked to someone who brought me over to Marcus. He told me that they were still waiting for people to show up but that if they didn’t me and the other girl on standby (that’s right there were only 2 of us the line I saw was actually the people that had tickets who were just waiting to go inside) would be able to get in.

So I waited anxiously for 2:00 to roll around which is when Marcus said he would know if we could get in. As I waited, I met a really nice lady named Cindy who said that she happened to have 2 extra tickets and she said that I should go talk to Marcus. So I went up to him and said “Not to bother you, but I was just wondering if you had an update on the standby tickets?” He smiled at me and said “You know what?

I did actually see your name on here somewhere, let me check… he pretended to look through the papers on the clipboard. As he flipped up the last page there was a pass (number 154) sitting on the bottom of the clipboard. “Yup here it is, it seems to have your name on it!” He laughed at his joke and I was too excited to laugh. I thanked him and headed to the end of the line to wait to get in.

Cindy smiled at me and said she knew I’d get in. She also said that she hoped they’d mention the gifts I’d brought for David and his family on the show but I didn’t think they would. So after having to run my phone and camera back to the car, I finally was able to check my gift in with one of the assistants and go through security. They had the audience seated in a little staging area outside of the sound stage.

As I passed by the rows of people trying to find my seat, they all smiled at me and said they were glad I got in (if any of you read this, thanks again!) So finally we were ushered into the sound stage to be seated by number. I waited for my number to come up in the line (I was the very last one) so I joked around with Marcus and the security guard for a few minutes.

They put me and the other girl from standby in the last row but right near the section in front of where David would be performing. Then the person in charge of the audience came over and told us what to do, when to clap, cheer, and so on. They gave us hotdogs and root beer (kinda random) and then the show started. It was a lot of fun to watch all the people running around with their little headsets and everything.

I couldn’t believe how many people were there to touch up Bonnie’s hair and make up during commercials. After David performed there was a commercial and David was talking to his band. They were laughing about something and David did a few little salsa moves which I think he thinks went unnoticed, but it totally didn’t!

As he left the stage, Jeff came running out from behind Bonnie’s band and people said hi. He popped back out from behind the curtain and waved. Then we watched as Bonnie filmed the promo’s for David’s episode and some special show all about Chicago (her hometown) she was reading from a teleprompter and kept messing up the lines.

She was getting flustered, but she’s still so awesome. Then after the show she walked through the audience greeting people and a woman gave her a really pretty necklace that I think had two doves on it and something else a yellow bead maybe. I shook her hand and we were free to leave. Overall, it was a crazy journey just to see David, but it was so worth it!
Leslie

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