This may be a shock to many, but I, Jamie Calli Mascia, 27 years old, am a huge Neil Diamond fan. My husband Rich, 29, is an even bigger fan than I. He actually got me into his music when we started dating, 10 years ago. Tomorrow we get to see him in concert at the XL Center. I can not be more excited! Rich and I saw him a few years ago at Madison Square Garden, and I have to say it was the best concert I’ve ever been too. He is such a great entertainer!
I’m so happy to see such a big name coming to Hartford. It’s great for the city, and great for the fans. I recently tried to get tickets to see New Kids on the Block at the Mohegan Sun Arena, but they sold out so quickly! The venue is just too small for big name acts.
This is also the first time my husband and I are having a “date” since Marcello was born. I know, it’s hard to believe! He’ll be a year on the 18th, we probably should have done this months ago!
If you know of any other great events coming to the area, let me know! I’ll be sure to let you all know how the concert was.
Until next time….
Jamie Calli Mascia
6pm Producer
Hi Jamie,
I am a very big Neil Diamond fan for many reasons, of course his music and how he has a successful following that stumps most Music promoters – How can he be so successful if he hasn’t sold so many CD’s lately?
I’ve seen him in concert 3 times – 1988, 2002 and 2006 by far the best was 2006, believe it or not, his voice has actually improved. Just a Great show.
His vocals have had a big impact on me and I sang “Cherry Cherry” on stage at the Apollo in Harlem for “showtime at the Apollo”, I was booed off the stage after about 2 minutes but hey, I gave it a try – I don’t think Harlem quite digs Neil Diamond – but they were really nice to me.
After learning to sing, by imitating Neil (I won quite a few Karaoke contests – $500 woo hoo), I made a music video in Burma, now called Myanmar (long story how that happened), – pretty wild but it is the singer song writter image of Neil Diamond that influenced my Burma Music video.
I’ve stopped sounding exactly like Neil and have found my own voice… but you can hear the Neil in certain parts of the song…. at the end, quite a bit of “Neil” sound leaks out!! There is something so special about the Neil sound…. it always sounds like what he’s singing about is important..
Not plugging here, but I just thought a Neil fan would like to know how far another Neil fan has gone…..
Sorry to run on..but Neil Diamond is simply my favorite and the concert is coming up here in my area and I’ve got to get tickets…. Have a great time!!!
Regards,
U Jon Gyi.
I will also be at the concert tomorrow nite! The last time I saw him perform was back in 1986 when he was at the New Haven Coliseum. About 4 years ago, I ‘met’ a bunch of people who share my interest in the music of Neil Diamond. They have become good friends of mine although Ive never met them in person even going so far as to sending me presents for my baby shower! The message board is http://www.iaisnd.com. If you were to buy the July 19th issue of Billboard magazine, you will see the full page ad put out by us congratulating Neil on his number 1 album Home Before Dark
A bunch of people I know are going to see Neil tonight as well! My boss and I are going, as well as my father, my brother and his wife. It should be a great time!!
Hi Jamie, I would have love to go see N Diamond BUT my husband surprised me on our wedding anniversary with tickets to see Celine Dion Sept. 6, VERY pricey, so I don’t think another pair of concert tickets would be the right thing to do. Surely bet it was wonderful. Do you remember a song he did on his live Love At the Greek album (yes, in those days they were called albums), I think the name of it was “Once Again”? Always, always loved that song, as well as so many of his most popular ones. Did he sing Once Again at the concert?
Your baby is adorable, thanks for showing photos.
Blog on,
Carol B, Niantic CT
I saw Neil Diamond last time he was in Hartford and he did put on a great show. I have to disagree with you about Mohegan Sun not being a big enough venue for big name acts. The arena seats 10,000 and there is not a bad seat in the place! Even if my seat is at the very top row I don’t need an oxygen mask after climbing the stairs. I saw Billy Joel at the then Civic Center and had tickets in the nose bleeds. I was very disappointed as we were under the overhang of the above sky boxes. There were TV monitors in place for what we thought were to view closeups. They were never turned on so we thought that perhaps there were no cameras in use for close shots. after climbing down the stairs to get a snack, we saw the big scorboard in the middle of the arena showing the stage and Billy Joel up close. Very disappointed to say the least!
I have attended so many concerts thanks to the arena because they are getting the bands booked at the venue where as the civic center/XL center does not. And yes, I do have tickets to NKOTB!! I would definitely choose the Sun arena over the XL center for a concert anyday.