Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Comfort and Joy Tour: December 2, 2016: Batavia, IL


Comfort and Joy Tour
December 2, 2016
Batavia Fine Arts Center
Batavia, IL
7:30 PM CST

Preview:
Four states that aren't really close to each other - Whew! The tour and Kris come to Batavia, IL (a Chicago suburb) tonight.

Updated with media on 12/6/2016

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Comfort and Joy Tour: December 1, 2016: Pittsburgh, PA


Comfort and Joy Tour
December 1, 2016
Byham Theater
Pittsburgh, PA
7:30 PM EST

Preview:
In two days, Kris will have gone from Florida's sunny beaches to Texas to Pittsburgh. Whew! Specical to this stop, there is a local radio station running a meet Kris contest - so I've included all the links you'd need for that in this post.

Updated on 12/3/2016 with set list and media from radio station visit.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Comfort and Joy Tour: November 30, 2016: Fort Worth, TX


Comfort and Joy Tour
November 30, 2016
Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, TX
7:30 PM CST

Preview:
Kris has to leave the beaches of the Florida suncoast behind and head to Fort Worth, Texas for the Comfort and Joy Tour's next stop.

Updated 12/6/2016. This particular stop gave us great videos of Peace Where the Heart Is, linked below.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Comfort and Joy Tour: November 29, 2016: Sarasota, FL


Comfort and Joy Tour
November 29, 2016
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota, FL
7:30 PM EST

Preview:
Kris begins his run with Jim Brickman's Comfort and Joy holiday tour in one of my absolute favorite places in the world (and definitely in Florida) - the resort town of Sarasota (about an hour or so south of Tampa and about a 1/2 hour south of our family's vacation home). Luckily for you guys, I will be there (thanks American Airlines for that fare sale!) and will give you a full report. I've never been to this venue but have driven by it often and wondered. It's right on beautiful Sarasota Bay near downtown.

If you haven't already seen my post on the Jim Brickman tour, do look it over - my coverage will be different than you are used to. I'm not doing lists, and I wouldn't expect live tweets, fan videos or streams - There was a strict anti-video, anti-phone policy in effect until Jim relaxed it for the final 3 songs..

My notes on the show: It was good and I enjoyed the whole show. Be aware if you go: It's not like a routine club show; it's more like a night at the theatre (dress accordingly please) and the music overall is adult contemporary. The Sarasota crowd loved it and showed a lot of appreciation for Kris' vocals (which were superb). He does a solo and a group number in first half, and a solo and several group numbers in second half. There's banter and costume changes. Strict no phones or cameras rule, which Jim relaxed for the final few numbers. So I did take some IG videos & many people took photos. I've noted what Kris sings in the set list; and added my comments on those numbers. Different type of show from your usual club solo headlining show, but he sounds fantastic and it's the holiday season, so I recommend checking it out!
UPDATED 12/6/2016 with corrected set list and media

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving! My Plans for Covering the Comfort and Joy Tour


With the mall shows over, it's time to plan for the next thing on Kris' agenda: The Comfort and Joy Tour with Jim Brickman, who is a prolific adult contemporary artist and radio show host. Back in October, Jim released a Christmas original song entitled A Little Bit of Christmas, which features a terrific vocal from Kris. He also announced that Kris would be a special guest on select stops on his Comfort and Joy tour. Jim's tour page says it's like a "Christmas card come to life." Sounds good to me; I love Christmas-y things!

I recommend you check Kris' official website for a list of which stops Kris will be at and ticket links, but here's the picture Jim posted on Instagram (if the city has a star, Kris will be there).


Kris' preview: When I spoke with Kris after his excellent solo holiday show in McLean, VA last week, he seemed very excited about the shows with Jim. While not being too specific, he did indicate that he thought it would be very cool and something we'd enjoy! He did make sure that I knew that he will be singing "Jim's songs."  I told him that I personally really like A Little Bit of Christmas, and promised to bone up on the rest of Jim's catalog. Kris also tweeted a friend of mine that there will indeed be Somethin' About Christmas CDs for sale during the shows, for those who wanted to purchase those.

Update: Kris' street team tweets that Kris will be at Jim's meet and greets. I'd contact them with any questions you have about that.

What to expect from my coverage of the tour? I'm not really sure! I'd started twitter lists, but now I don't think they will be the way to go. I'm happy to say I'll be at the first show (conveniently located near my vacation home, yay), but a friend of mine who is a big Jim fan warns me that these aren't rock shows or venues and fans should not plan on streams or videos, as these venues might not permit it and it will feel out of place to do it. (Think a night at the theatre instead.) I will be sure to give you guys a good review of that show, and hopefully, it will come with a program so I can tell you what's being sung or performed and by whom after the show.

As of now, I'm not planning to make a twitter list active for each show; I don't expect live tweets from them. Instead, I will do a basic post for each show, with the information you need about it so you can know and go, and then add whatever media, etc; there is to add. (Of course if streams or videos do pop up, they'll be added too.)

Also, an admin. note: I will be on vacation in sunny Florida without a computer those first four shows, and plan to schedule those posts in advance. The main live coverage will be via my Twitter and Instagram accounts to start, with updates to the posts to follow once I'm home.

For now though, before we begin the Comfort and Joy Christmas shows, it is time to enjoy Thanksgiving with friends and family! I wish you all a wonderful holiday. - KAL


Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Holiday Concert | November 18, 2016: McLean, VA

Free Holiday Concert
Tysons Corner Center
McLean, VA
6:30 PM Eastern

Preview:
How fun! Kris is playing the northern Virginia mall I grew up with and had my very first job in! Back in those days, it was pretty simple (although oy, I remember working those Christmas sales). Developers and Kris may call it Tysons, VA, but sorry, that mall is in McLean - just off the Beltway, with a Silver Line metro stop, and it is very nice (and very popular).

The concerts are held in an outdoor plaza next to condo high rises that were recently built. I saw Gavin DeGraw there and it's a cool setup, with fire pits, an ice rink, Shake Shack and bars. The Metro will let you off right into the outdoor concert plaza.  (If you're curious about stage set up after all that description, here's a video of Gavin DeGraw doing that show. Now just imagine a Christmas tree next to that! Although Kris' mall shows have a simpler set-up, since it's Kris and Andrew acoustic.)

It is predicted to be nice weather (I know, right? At a Kris show?), and probably will be in the 50s at showtime. If you are in NoVa and not stuck at work, you should definitely come out for a free, fun holiday show! WASH-FM (97.1) will be broadcasting from the event starting around 5 PM eastern (I'll link them below in the post so you can listen live).

Of course I will be there for Kris! Looking forward to it! I did win my way into the meet and greet (which will be inside in that same set you've seen in the other mall posts), so will cover that too. Hope to meet some of you as well.

Updated after the show: Holy Christmas that was fun! Tysons did a fantastic job. A big shoutout to Dani, who was the mall's fabulous coordinator for the event. My friend and I had a couple of nice conversations with Kris and he was in great voice and energy last night. I think I've got everything up now that's worth getting, and my review is at the bottom of this post, but keep checking back as more gets posted. As always the DMV came through!
UPDATED 7/18/2017 WITH VIDEO!

Monday, November 14, 2016

Writer's Round: Two Story Road and Friends, November 16, 2016: Nashville, TN


Kris will be joining his friends in Two Story Road and some other singer-songwriters on November 16 for a sold out writer's round at the Nashville venue the Bluebird Cafe. If you are in Nashville, some limited seats will be available first come first serve (doors open 5 pm).


Updated after the show: Reflecting the last-minute nature of the show (and the lack of advance publicity), there isn't much media, but Kris' street team did share a picture and the set list:

Photo by @Team_Kris
Photo by @Team_Kris
Set List for Kris:
  1. Monster 
  2. Way Up High 
  3. Mommy, Is There More Than Just One Santa Claus
  4. Venice 
  5. Live Like We're Dying

Friday, November 11, 2016

Holiday Concert: November 13, 2016: Freehold, NJ

Free Holiday Concert
Freehold Raceway Mall
(Between Brio Tuscan Grille, LL Bean and the Cheesecake Factory)
Freehold, NJ
5 PM Eastern

Preview:
Kris continues to bring holiday cheer to the east coast by visiting the mall in Freehold, NJ, about 50 miles from New York City and about 65 miles from Philadelphia, and known for being Bruce Springsteen's childhood home. Kris performed a successful show here in 2014, with one of the best full band versions of Out Alive we've ever gotten (mashed with a pinch of Springsteen's Secret Garden).

Updated: Coldest show and biggest list yet for the Christmas mall tour, and this mall gave us a livestream of most of the show (if you went, please check my setlist for order and correct me if needed)! Full set of videos and more after the break, earning Freehold the #gavegoodlist award!
UPDATED 11/14/2016

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Holiday Concert: November 12, 2016: Danbury, CT

Free Holiday Concert
Danbury Fair Mall, Danbury, CT
Lower Level, by Lord and Taylor
November 12, 2016
4:00 PM Eastern

Preview:
Kris returns to the east coast to give the people of the northeast a holiday treat, with the latest of his free mall appearances. This one is in Danbury, CT, about 70 miles from New York City and an easy train trip away. Even better, this mall is large and has been promoting the concert, plus we have some regular listers going!

Updated after the show: Another successful mall appearance in the books, and thanks to our friend Ang, we've got video, set list and more after the break!
UPDATED 12/11/2016

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Holiday Concert: November 10, 2016: Rosemont, IL (Chicago)

Free Holiday Concert
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Fashion Outlets of Chicago - Food Court
Rosemont, IL (Chicago)
7:30 PM CST

Preview:
Kris continues his holiday concerts at malls with this one in Rosemont, a suburb of Chicago near O'Hare airport. I've been surprised that I haven't found many people going, but I do have a good friend (her twitter is locked but she promises to report) and her friends on this list. :)

Updated: This show may have been a victim of a remote location and poor publicity as it wasn't as well attended as it should have been. That's too bad. I suspect things will perk up quite a bit, though, with the next three mall shows as they are east coast, and two of the malls are large and do social media well. Plus it's a big shopping weekend sales-wise. As for this show, my friend and her friends really enjoyed the show and had fun talking to Kris both before and after. We've got some IG videos this AM, a full set list and some good pics this morning, and some videos this evening, so Chicago, those of you who went have earned #gavegoodlist!
UPDATED 11/13/2016

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Holiday Concert: November 6, 2016: Fresno, CA

Free Holiday Concert
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Fashion Fair Mall (just outside Sephora)
Fresno, CA
6:00 PM PST

Preview:
The second of several free mall appearances by Kris takes place in Fresno. All of the malls have run or are running meet and greet contests, so we'll cover those as best we can too! If you're going, remember the time change on Sunday the 6th - set those clocks back an hour on Saturday night so you don't miss the show!

Updated after the show! Looks like it was a balmy night, and we did get a Periscope of most of it, plus awesome live tweets from OutlandoGirl!  Kris was feeling it as he varied from the written set list and gave them Idol Medley. Link to the scope and media after the break!
UPDATED 11/19/2016

Holiday Concert: November 5, 2016: Thousand Oaks, CA

Free Holiday Concert
Saturday, November 5, 2016
The Oaks Mall  (Center Court)
Thousand Oaks, CA
6:00 PM PDT

Preview:
The first of several free mall appearances by Kris takes place in greater Los Angeles. All of the malls have run or are running meet and greet contests, so we'll cover those as best we can too! We have some good live tweeters going.

UPDATED after the show: Kris sounded fantastic and thank you to our live tweeters for set list and a Periscope! Well done! #gavegoodlist is awarded! Several premieres! Periscope and full YouTube playlist linked (and premieres embedded) after the break.
UPDATED 11/6/2016 PM

College Show: November 4, 2016: NACA Northeast Showcase, Hartford, CT

National Association for Campus Activities
Northeast Regional Showcase
November 4, 2016
Connecticut Convention Center
Hartford, CT
2:19 PM EDT

Preview:
Kris is doing another college showcase, this time for colleges in the northeast. These are private events for those attending the larger convention. I'm sure he will impress a bunch more college activities boards! Personally, I like that this particular one is close to New York City as it is his new Christmas album release day!

UPDATED: Another successful showcase in the books based on live tweets! Some media in post.
UPDATED 11/05/2016

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Somethin' About Christmas by Kris Allen - New Album Available November 4!


So excited for the release of Kris' first full-length Christmas album, Somethin' About Christmas! While he's released several Christmas singles over the years, as well as an EP, Waiting for Christmas, this is his first full-length Christmas release. He'll be doing several mall appearances this month to promote it, starting on Saturday in the Los Angeles area.

Buy it! Amazon | iTunes | GooglePlay | Physical CD available from KAO only

Stream it! Spotify | Tidal


The tracks feature duets with Gabe Dixon and Caroline Glaser, as well as a studio version of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree (a song Kris last performed as part of his Idol duties for Disney's 2009 Christmas special). The cute original song he recently premiered at his alumni concert last week, Mommy, Is There More Than Just One Santa Claus, is also on the new album. Upon first listen, I really enjoyed the new original song Just Like Snow.

Note: His song with Jim Brickman, A Little Bit of Christmas, is not on the new album, but it is available too! Links are in this post to stream and buy that song.

So yes, we are so ready for Somethin' About Christmas!

In the meantime, to get you more in the holiday spirit while we wait for Friday, here are my other posts over the years covering Krismas concerts, songs, etc.!

Merry Krismas! --KAL