Boston Show 9/26/08 Pictures...

Pictures from the first Boston Garden Homecoming show on September 26th, 2008

Tour Set List...

Here is a copy of "The Block" New Kids on The Block Set List for Fall 2008:
(Tour kicks off Thursday, September 18th, 2008 in Toronto)

• “Single”
• “My Favorite Girl”
• “(You Got It) The Right Stuff”
• “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”
• “Valentine Girl”
• “Please Don’t Go Girl”
• “Grown Man” (With Nicole Scherzinger)
• “No More Games”
• “If You Go Away”
• “2 In the Morning”
• “Dirty Dancing”
• “Tonight”
• “Twisted”
• “Baby I Believe in You”
• “Give It To You”
• “Stay the Same”
• “Cover Girl”
• “I’ll Be Lovin’ You (Forever)”
• “Click, Click, Click”
• “Summertime”

Encore

• “Step By Step”
• “Hangin' Tough”

Boston Meet and Greet...

To help promote the release of their new CD, "The Block", NKOTB had 5 CD signings scheduled the week of the release. Of course they were doing a Meet & Greet at home in Boston! And that meant I was going to be there! I got to Newbury Comics at 4:25am even though the guidelines said "not to line up before 5a". Shortly after I got there, my sister & cousin joined me in line and then the rain started. And it was pretty heavy for a bit. It probably rained consistently until about 6:30am or so. My sweater was soaked even under my running jacket. Guess that wasn't waterproof.

Did I mention - it was a New Kids On The Block event so of course rain was required. All I want to know is who pissed off the weather gods so that it always has to rain?! It was so foggy out that you couldn't even see the top of the Clock Tower. About 750 people turned out and the line was all the way around the corner and down the street!

The first 3 1/2 hours went by a lot faster than I expected. The line to buy the CD started moving around 7:40am or so and we had our CDs in hand by 8am. Then we moved over to the autograph line and got ready to wait for the next phase. A lot of people walking by asked us what we were waiting for...sometimes we told them the truth, other times we played with them by answering "Neil Diamond". The expressions were priceless no matter what.

Here we are hanging out in line - we don't look half bad for girls who stood in line for 10 hours while wet, hot & sticky.

And this picture of me has quickly become the favorite solo picture of me - thanks Moira!

At about 12:50pm, the blue van pulls up and Donnie, Danny, Jon & Joe get out of the van. Jordan got out of a Cadillac Escalade soon after they did. So they were all there for 1p. Of course people swarmed the streets to try to get a shot of them coming out of the vans so then when they got back in line things were a bit crammed in. Thankfully the rain had gone away but the mugginess arrived. Needless to say, we were all wet from the earlier rain, and then sweaty & gross from the humidity. These poor men were going to have to hug 750 wet, sweaty & smelly women. ick.

Finally the line began to move.

They let us in in groups of 10 and the staff kept saying "no hugs, no cameras and no leaning on the table" but we all knew that wasn't true! The girl who counted the groups would say it because she had to but she knew it didn't mean anything. Finally, it was our turn to get sent in...the butterflies really started to kick in. We walked upstairs and immediately the AC & fan really helped cool us down. Jordan & Jon's mom & sister were hanging out in the corner. Their mom looks amazing!!!! And she was so friendly too.

Put it on my Tab was playing as I was standing waiting to go in...I was getting really nervous because I knew this was my moment to get some Face Time! I was standing ahead of Alyson & Moira and I could hear them talk to each other wondering if I was okay. I turned around and told them I'd be okay. Although my eyes were tearing up so I think I was trying to convince myself. I knew that Alyson couldn't look at me because if I started to cry, she would too. I hand my camera to the staff and ask her to take a picture of me when I'm with Donnie... I got the thumbs up so I felt confident. I stood there patiently waiting for my turn. Rachel (my line buddy) was talking to Donnie so I wasn't going to interrupt her. Finally she moved on to Danny and I kind of stood there. Donnie had the left hand on the wall and the right arm stretched out. I stepped up and he said "Hi beautiful". I just about died. I leaned in and he gave me a HUGE hug with just one hand. I gave him the hug back, kissed him on the cheek and then said "Hi, thank you" in his ear. He replied back with a soft "no, thank you gorgeous". I was so caught up in that moment. I could have stayed there for days just whispering to each other in our ears. I told him I was so excited and happy and he replied back with "I'm glad". This whole time we are hugging and talking into each other's ears. Then I said "Can I just say from one Dot Rat to another Dot Rat, I am extremely proud." He hugged me harder and said "thank you that means so much". He stepped back, signed my CD, smiled and just stared at me and smiled. *SWOON*

I said thanks again and went to go to Danny. He was smiling at me and saying "hey how are you". I was trying to reply with "thanks" but my voice was cracking so Donnie looks at me, smiles and says "it's okay sweetheart" as he rubs my cheek!

I just about died.

I moved to Jon who signed it and gave it to Joe. I said thanks to Joe and he was like "Hey no problem". He's so nice. Jordan signed it and smiled but he really didn't seem all that into being there. While I was standing there I thought it would be perfect to use my Dorchester line again. So I said the same thing to Jordan & Jon about being from Dorchester. And Joe says "what no love for JP?" And I said "Sorry man, I grew up in Dorchester" Joe said "it's all good" and I said "actually I grew up a street over from Jordan & Jon..." and Jon perked up and said "where" as if to test me. I told him the street and he was like "oh cool" Jordan asked which direction. I told him Fields Corner here, your street, then my street. And he was "oh it was parallel, right" and I said yes and he gave me a big smile.

I walked downstairs completely satisified.

Went to lunch with my sister & cousin to cool off and then I met with up with some of the ladies I had met to see how there experiences went...We sat there for a bit shared our stories and I explained I was going to go back and watch them leave. Hey - why not! We all headed back over and prayed for no rain. It did sprinkle as expected.

They had the van & the Escalade parked waiting. Robo came out and said "okay ladies, you can stay where you are and take pictures just don't rush them or the van when they come out." We were good and stayed put...Danny came out first. He waved and said thanks and got into the van. Joey came out next, waved, said thanks and then said "hey 15 years ago you would have been all over this van...you're old!!" then he got in the van. Robo got into the van and they drove away. Jordan came out and got into the Escalade and they drove away. No Jon or Donnie. The staff closed the doors so I figured Jon left another way so he didn't needed to be hounded.


Donnie probably had to go out another way so obviously it wasn't meant to be...So time to go home. Stacey & I decided to make a stop at the bathroom before heading to the garage. We went up to the bathroom right by the Newbury Comics entrance on the 2nd floor. As we're coming out there is a very small group going down the stairs in front of us. Donnie was one of them!! I think I hit Stacey and pointed Donnie out to her. We went down the stairs rather quickly to catch up to him. We weren't going to be rude or interrupt just say Thanks and keep going. We got right next to him and I said "Thanks again Donnie" and started to walk towards the door. He stopped, put his arm out to stop me, and then put both arms out to give me a DONNIE HUG and then leaned in and gave me a kiss on the lips. I just about died right then & there. I said thanks again in his ear and he hugged me a bit more. Then he hugged & kissed Stacey!! I felt so incredibly lucky & thankful.

We walked out the door because we didn't want to harrass him after all he had done. Why we didn't ask for a picture I'll never know but hey I got a kiss on the lips!!

Stacey & I walked back to the garage in awe, screetching like teenagers. Stacey, I'm so glad we were able to share that moment together. And I'm so happy that after 20 years, I was able to spend a quiet, intimate and personal moment with Donnie.

He didn't have to stop but he did...
he didn't have to hug, but he did...
he didn't have to kiss us, but he did.

God, I love this man. I will be 85 years old and someone will say "Donnie Wahlberg" and I will be giddy as a school girl.

THE BLOCK...

14 years after releasing 'Face The Music', New Kids on the Block release their latest album, appropriately titled "The Block" on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008.

It debuted on Billboard's Charts at #2. Quite impressive for a group of men who haven't been together in 14 years and that all the critics said that this was a sexified, talent-less album.

#2 position - I beg to differ.

Song List (Deluxe Edition - *Only on Deluxe Edition):
1. Click Click Click
2. Single (New Kids on the Block & Ne-Yo)
3. Big Girl Now (featuring Lady Gaga)
4. Summertime
5. 2 In The Morning
6. Grown Man (featuring Pussycat Dolls & Teddy Riley)
7. Dirty Dancing
8. Sexify My Love
9. Twisted
10. Full Service (featuring New Edition)
11. Lights, Camera, Action
12. Put It On My Tab (featuring Akon)
13. Stare At You
14. One Song*
15. Don't Cry*
16. Officially Over*
17. Looking Like Danger*

There are 2 versions of the CD - The Deluxe and Standard. They first released the cover for the Standard. I'm glad they chose a different color for The Deluxe CD and one they've been using the most as I am not a fan of the orange color. However I am a fan of the CD in general as well as the men!

As if you had to ask...

Original Tour List

Here's a list of the original tour dates/cities ... they have since added some additional dates/cities.

Reunion Tour 2008

09.19.08 - Toronto, ON
Air Canada Center

09.20.08 - Montreal, QC
Bell Centre

09.21.08 - Toronto, ON
Air Canada Center

09.23.08 - East Rutherford, NJ
Izod Center

09.24.08 - Uniondale, NY
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

09.26.08 - Boston, MA
TD Banknorth Garden

09.27.08 - Atlantic City, NJ
Borgata Hotel and Casino Event Center

09.28.08 - Boston, MA
TD Banknorth Garden

09.30.08 - Uncasville,
CT Mohegan Sun

10.02.08 - Washington DC
Verizon Center

10.03.08 - Cleveland, OH
Quicken Loans Arena

10.04.08 - Chicago, IL
Allstate Arena

10.08.08 - Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center

10.10.08 - San Jose, CA
HP Pavilion

10.11.08 - Las Vegas, NV
Mandalay Bay

10.13.08 - Phoenix, AZ
Jobing.com Arena

10.16.08 - Houston, TX
Toyota Center

10.17.08 - San Antonio, TX
AT&T Center

10.19.08 - Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center

10.21.08 - Minneapolis, MN
Xcel Energy Center

10.22.08 - Milwaukee, WI
Bradley Center

10.24.08 - Chicago, IL
Allstate Arena

10.25.08 - Detroit, MI
Palace of Auburn Hills

10.27.08 - New York City, NY
Madison Square Garden

10.29.08 - Atlanta, GA
Gwinnett Center

11.01.08 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
BankAtlantic Center

11.02.08 - Tampa, FL
St. Pete Times Forum

11.05.08 - Philadelphia, PA
Spectrum

11.10.08 - St. Louis, MO
Scottrade Center

11.11.08 - Kansas City, KS
Sprint Center

11.12.08 - Omaha, NE,
Quest Center

11.14.08 - Denver, CO
Broomfield Event Center

11.15.08 - Salt Lake City, UT
E Center

11.17.08 - Edmonton, AB
Rexall Place

11.21.08 - Vancouver, BC
General Motors Place

11.22.08 - Seattle, WA
Tacoma Dome

11.23.08 - Portland, OR
Rose Garden Arena

11.26.08 - San Diego, CA
San Diego Sports Arena

Happy Birthday...

Happy 39th Birthday, Donnie!

In honor of Donnie's birthday, I made the annual pilgrimage to the Braintree residence. I know it's not their house anymore but it will always be *his* house to me.

And to help honor the birthday, both Dan & Alexander joined me and then we went to Southie and walked around Castle Island!

http://irishmel21.blogspot.com/2008/08/august-17th.html
http://irishmel21.blogspot.com/2008/08/in-honor-of.html

NKOTB Event!

• Greatest Hits released - track listing for album:
  Step By Step
  You Got It (The Right Stuff)
  I'll Be Loving You (Forever)
  Cover Girl
  Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)
  Please Don't Go Girl
  Tonight
  Valentine Girl
  Let's Try It Again
  Hangin' Tough
  If You Go Away
  Baby, I Believe In You
  Games (The Kids Get Hard Mix)
  My Favorite Girl
  The Right Combination (Bonus Tracks Seiko with Donnie Wahlberg)
  Angel Of Love (Bonus Tracks Ana with Jordan Knight)
  Stay The Same (Bonus Tracks Joey McIntyre)
  2008 New Kids On The Block Mega Mix (Bonus Tracks)
  
• Single released on itunes - I listened to that song over & over & over & over that when I finally synced my ipod it showed the count for that song was 86 times in 2 1/2 days

First Performance...

For the first time in 14 years, New Kids on the Block perform together on the Today Show. And I was there!

I have also FINALLY posted my Today Show Adventure!

Part I


Part II


Part III

Adventures of The Today Show...

Knowing that the New Kids were going to be on the Today Show - I knew I wasn't passing up that opportunity to see them perform together again LIVE. My sister, Alyson, and cousin, Moira, were just as excited to see them as I was. We couldn't wait - however, I believe I was a tad bit more excited than they were. My son was only 14 months and I wasn't quite ready to leave him so we brought the future Blockhead with us. The plan was that while we were in line/at the show, Alexander would be with my Mom at the hotel.

We left Thursday mid-morning to get us down in time for dinner and to beat traffic (both MA & NY). The weather was a bit shaky (rain, clouds) but keep in mind this is a New Kids On The Block Event ... of course it is going to rain!

We checked into our hotel - which was FANTASTIC and unbelievably spacious and then decided to go walk to find food. I also wanted to walk down to Rockefeller Center to check out the line situation. We got some pizza (Alexander had his first NYC Pizza and drank from a straw for the first time too) and all felt better with food in our stomachs.

It was only around 6pm so we had some time before we had to get Alexander down for bed. We walked a few blocks down to Rockefeller Center. We took our touristy photos of St. Patrick's Cathedral as well as one of Alexander & I at Rockefeller Center.

The line was already forming (some girls camped out for 2 days) and starting to go down the block. I would have been quite content to go back to the hotel, nap for an hour or two and then be back for 11pm. Alyson & Moira wanted no part of that. They agreed to be in line by 1am.

We got back to the hotel and chilled out - of course no one could fall asleep - except for Alexander. Since it was obvious none of us would sleep we decided to get ready and go. We left the hotel by 12:30am and were walking down NYC streets and surprisingly NO ONE else was on the streets. Wasn't this the city that never sleeps?

We got in line at about 12:45am and the line had already gone around the corner. EEK! What I didn't know then was that the line went up one city block but then doubled itself parallel on the same block because the Today Show staff didn't expect that large of a crowd. Obviously they don't know Blockheads. We got our spot and prepared to camp out for the next 5-6 hours.

People slept, talked, walked around, screeched, etc. There was one group of girls that would NOT stop screaming every time any type of vehicle would go by which would then make the vehicle honk their horn. UGH - not what you want to hear at 2:30am over and over. I went up and asked them to stop and they were told that if they screamed they would get into the Plaza. Oh the naivety.

Thankfully from the moment we lined up until now it had only had a few small showers - nothing major. At about 4:30am, Alyson & Moira had to use the restroom and were starving so they walked over to McDonalds on 6th Ave. However at about 5am, people started to stand and gather their belongings as for some odd reason people in line *thought* we were moving. I called Alyson & Moira in a panic thinking that if they didn't get back in time, they wouldn't be let in. So they came running back - and without the food they paid for. For the next two hours we would stand wondering when we would actually move.

We realized that although we thought we had a decent spot in line, we were mistaken due to the double line on 48th Street. Rumors were circulating that we may not even make it into the Plaza as they were going to cut it off at the corner. We were about 50 people from the corner...I was trying to be optimistic at this point. But with the rain starting to get heavier I was thinking that this may be a wash...

A few girls would run/walk down and then run back saying they heard them at soundcheck or got pictures of them on stage. Although I was anxious, I didn't want to lose our spot in line so I stayed put. Then at about 7am, the line started to move. We all thought it was odd that they waited so long to get us into the area because the Today Show starts at 7am. It moved pretty quickly but that also meant that the area filled in just as quick.

This is a shot of the line down 48th Street on the way into the Plaza of the Today Show.

The line moved down 48th Street and they prodded us in like cattle. They really did too. Overall the Today Show security staff was quite rude and left a lot to be desired. And to think - we were a harmless lot, just sitting on a city sidewalk.

We got into the area/pen/plaza where the boys would perform. We got into the crowd and realized from our spots we would see nothing also be smothered by all the people. We decided to go into the back where we were further from the stage but it was easier because a) less people b) tv screens to view. Plus, we were near cameras.

Side note re: TV Cameras. At some point during the past 18 hours, Alyson mentioned that she prays that she does not end up on tv as she doesn't want people from work to see her. Moira & myself really didn't have an opinion either way. So while we were at the back of the performing area, we were closer to cameras. At one point, the camera guy pans over to us and a bunch of us wave, etc. I think I gave my obligatory peace sign. I'm standing there minding my own business and then all of a sudden ALYSON pushes me out of the way and is waving frantically at the camera. She hops over me with the hopes of getting on tv. Yeah, what happened to wanting to be conspicious?? The funniest part is that when we got home and watched the whole show - that part is on TV with Alyson PUSHING me out of the way.

It was probably 7:30ish and we're in the performance area. Did I mention that it's still raining? And sometimes quite hard. Back to the performance...We had already heard a bit of the soundcheck so now we were just waiting for the FIRST LIVE (and televised) performance in 14 years. They had the curtain up with their logo and I had the worst case of butterflies. I was SO excited and was so thankful to be able to be there to experience this first hand.

Now's the time - Meredith & Matt introduce them and the curtain drops! It's a medley of Step by Step, Hangin' Tough & the Right Stuff. I don't think I stopped jumping & screaming - unless of course I was singing. Did I mention excitement?!!?

After the first song, they spoke to Matt, Meredith, Al & some other chick for a bit. Then they performed the new song "Summertime". I was already addicted to the new song as it was a perfect introduction to their reunion but hearing it LIVE gave my goosebumps. I tried to take pictures of them performing but I didn't want to bring my camera out too often in the rain so I kept it hidden under my poncho. Plus, I am short and wouldn't necessarily get a lot of great shots. I did realize that if I took them of the screen, I'd at least get to see something.

After Summertime and another chat with the hosts, they performed Tonight. Jordan played the piano and they all started out by that before they worked the crowd. I was never a huge fan of the song back in the day but it really works now. Now I think it's a nice homage to the fans.

To wrap up the performance, they went onto a platform in the middle of the area so we got to be a bit closer than we were originally. They chatted a bit, posed for pictures, waved at fans. It was very emotional - and although I didn't shed a tear my heart runneth over.

Did I mention that it rained for the majority of their performance??

After the performance, the guys went back inside. Come to find out there was a autograph signing at Macy's but the line was already super long for that. We had to check out of the hotel by noon and I knew Alyson & Moira really wanted to get on the road and try to beat traffic so I didn't even suggest that we head over.


































I was so excited to get this picture of Donnie - it was probably the best one of him I took the whole day.





























As the guys went inside, Danny was so gracious and ran down the aisle right next to us. He was posing for pictures, shaking hands and saying Thank you. I got a hand shake and a thank you. You could tell that he was so thankfully and amazed at the turnout - IN THE RAIN!

























We did take a picture with our line buddies from DC - who were extremely nice but unfortunately we didn't get their names enough for me to remember and contact them later.

The only bad thing of the day was that Alyson lost her brand new digital camera. It must of fallen out of her bag when we were being pushed into the area and we couldn't find it. Some lucky bastard picked themselves up a fantastic camera.


Here's a picture of Moira, myself & Alyson LIVE on tv - shows you how much Alyson wanted to hide.

Stress of Tickets...

I knew from the moment they announced the reunion that I would be attending a show. Knowing me, I also knew that it would most likely be more than just one show. Afterall I can't have my boys be in the "area" and not go. It was the same mentality as when I knew they were home back in the day, how could I not go check them out?
A reunion tour would be no different.

When they announced tour dates & ticket sales I was very excited & anxious. I felt like that 17 year girl all over again who would have to have multiple people trying to call ticketmaster on a Saturday morning to try to get tickets. There was even one show (Nov 25th, 1989) where we physically camped out at the Garden to try to get better seats (which we got 3rd row right on the side of the stage so we didn't do that bad). I panicked thinking there is a chance we won't get tickets and I'd be devastated!

And to complicate matters further, I discovered that no only were tickets going on sale but there was a VIP package you could purchase which guaranteed you a seat in the first 10 rows, a Meet & Greet with photo op, a laminate & gift. I thought to myself this is crazy ... I shouldn't be spending the money on this now that I'm an adult raising a child. I decided to ask people their opinions to see if they thought I was crazy...and I was under the impression that once too many people told me it was stupid that I would just go for normal seats.

HOWEVER - every person I asked told me that it was a fantastic opportunity and I'd be stupid if I didn't do it! Well that summed that up. I decided that I would get the 5* VIP package for the Boston show. Alyson was also IN for the VIP ticket package and seemed almost as excited as I was...if that was possible. I knew Alyson, Moira & Chris wanted to go to the Boston show ... so the plan was to try to get 2 for VIP and 2 regular seats and if the VIP sold out - I'd get 4 regular.

Tickets went on sale on May 5th @ 10am. I had a meeting in work but told them I would be late due to a previous meeting. I had my websites ready to go for VIP as well as normal seats. It was 9:20 in the morning and I was freaking out. I called my mother at work because I was a nervous wreck. I couldn't sit still, I couldn't focus and I certainly couldn't do work. I just kept hitting the refresh button on the web page. I was praying that no one would come to my office to ask me an important question!! My mom chuckled at me more just because she thought it was cute than it was ridiculous. But I seriously couldn't breath at one point.

Then all of a sudden at 9:35am I refreshed the page and the VIP packages said "NOW AVAILABLE"!

what?

but it's not 10:00am yet!

I freaked out!

I hit the Click to purchase and selected 2. I got into the next screen and it was asking for a show password!

PANIC!

I didn't know the show password. I knew the password to the VIP tickets was 'nkotb' but that didn't seem to be the same thing. Then I didn't know if AMEX had their own passwords as this was for AMEX pre-sale cardholders. I filled out info but then after 3 minutes (I checked the clock), it booted me from the page saying time alloted expired. I wanted to cry! I kept refreshing and trying again and I would get "SOLD OUT" or "NOT AVAILABLE". I truly wanted to crawl under my desk and cry.

I tried for the next 20 minutes with no luck.

nothing.

Finally at 10am, I went to ticketmaster and bought 4 regular seats for the Boston show. If I couldn't get VIP then I was going to be there somehow and I wasn't going to let that pass me by. I was pretty bummed the entire day.

The entire week - actually.

I tried to convince Alyson to go to NY or NJ with me for the 5* VIP and she was okay but hesitant with the idea. Then she told me not to get them and that we would figure something out. Part of me was thinking that she already ordered them and maybe it was going to be a Mother's day present. Then Mother's day came and nothing. I tried not to be bummed.

I would tell myself that at least I'm going to see them and we have decent floor seats. Then on Friday night, I was driving home and Joe called into Kiss108 with an announcement. He said because tickets went so quickly for their Boston hometown show, they've added a second date!

I don't think I could have driven home fast enough! I got home, flew in the house, blew by my family, and turned my computer on.

I opened the website.

5* VIP - Boston show on 9/28 - AVAILABLE

I clicked purchase and selected 2.

I filled out the info and found out I didn't need the password to continue.

I clicked 'confirm order'.

CONFIRMATION!

*SIGH*

Huge relief that I had my VIP tickets. And not only that, we were going to be going to both hometown shows in Boston at the Garden! It couldn't get better than that!

Well it did actually.

We also decided to buy tickets for the Mohegan Sun show on Sept 30th in CT. And since we were going to go to CT, we might as well go big and get the 5* VIP treatment. Afterall, we are superstahhs.

Then the RI show was announced. This time I couldn't justify doing a 3rd VIP so we got 'regular' seats. And then I made a comment/joke that as long as they performed in New England that I would go.

And wouldn't you know it ... the posted a 2nd show in Mohegan Sun.

Can't go out without a bang, right?

Yup - we got 5* VIP to that one too.

5 shows for 5 guys ... I mean how could you do it any other way? Oh by sprinkling in VIP throughout our Fall 2008 mini-Tour!

Let's Get This!