Elliott Yamin's CD Smells Sweet

I was never a big Elliott Yamin fan until I met him at the American Idol concert in Peoria, Illinois. I did think he was talented, but I would say I was too focused on Taylor winning to notice how TRULY talented he was. I was waiting outside the Idols' hotel, like a true groupie, in hopes of meeting Taylor Hicks. My heart was pounding as I hear the excited chatter of everyone saying that Elliott had just been out.

All of a sudden, from behind me, comes a man dressed in a football jersey and a had turned backwards. He walks right in front of me and all the "groupies". Suddenly people are screaming. I'm looking everywhere for who they were screaming at. It was "jersey guy". I look more closely and it's Elliott Yamin! HOLY COW! I didn't even notice him and he walked right past me! What an idiot I was!

Elliott is unlike any other artist I've seen. He took time for every single fan. Not just signing a quick autograph and moving on. No, he stopped and spoke with each fan. It was the most incredible thing I've witnessed from any celebrity I've been in the vacinity with. Even some of the other Idols were too high and mighty to take time for the fans that had gotten them to where they are today.

When Elliott got close to me, I realized I hadn't brought anything to be autographed by anyone but Taylor. I scrounged through my purse...nothing! What was I going to do??? That's when it hit me...I was SUPER pregnant. About 9 weeks from my due date. Then it happened...Elliott walked up to me with his sharpie in hand and said, "Hey, how are ya?" I shook wildly with delight. I said, "Can you autograph my pregnant belly on my shirt here and bless my baby???" He smiled big and laughed, "Sure!" He signed away on my belly. When he was finished, he looked up at me and flashed his yet to be fixed smile. I said, "Thanks! I just wanted to tell you that my husband and friend are deaf and they are SO proud of you for accomplishing what you have with a hearing loss." He smiled big again and said, "Thanks! Tell them I appreciate them saying that. Nice meeting you!" After that, he moved on and had instantly made a new fan. After I met him, I got my belly autographed by Ace, Paris, & Bucky.

Elliott blessing my baby by Autographing my prego belly on 8-20-06.

Credit: Amy Gayle

Copyright: Amy Gayle