Getting 'All American' with Nick in Chicago!

I’m so excited to share with you my review on Nick’s All American Tour stop in Chicago! It was such a fun time for me with the usual anxiety jitters the day before with being tired from having to wake up at 4:30 a.m. for a children's literature conference for work, but everything turned out wonderful and it was incredible to spend a whole day with Nick and my friends and the fans who adore him just as much as I do! 

An Appetizing Afternoon with Nick

I took the train downtown and walked my way straight to Hotel Chicago where the Appetizing Afternoon event with Nick would take place. I was happy to see it was right next to the House of Blues so it would be a piece of cake getting from the luncheon with Nick to the soundcheck and the show. 

Hotel Chicago and House of Blues

I quickly used the bathroom and then briefly caught up with a familiar face before we decided to make our way up to the floor where the lunch would be. I met up with two friends who I would be sharing a hotel with after the show. It was great to be able to catch up and see each other in person after not having seen each other in the flesh for so long and just talking via email. It was also nice to have some friends to be giddy with and anticipate the awesome day ahead…and boy the anticipation was killing me! 

We finally were able to enter the room where the lunch event would be held. I was surprised to see that there weren’t a lot of tables and some of the tables were standing tables. I think Wonderful Union really wants to see us stand lol. Thankfully, the standing wasn’t as bad as it could have been because we were able to sit while waiting to enter the room. There were two chairs set up where Nick would answer questions and sing some songs. On the side of the room they had the hors d'oeuvres, mostly fruit, spinach dip, and meatballs with gravy. I had barely anything because I was so excited to see Nick lol. The one meatball was delightfully good and I was pleasantly surprised because I never had a meatball without red sauce and I broke the Italian rule and tried it. 

Enough about meatballs, Nick made his appearance…with his signature green cargo army shorts and all! It’s funny because I always seem to hear that fans don’t like this look but I kind of love it lol. He was even given some grief over them during the question and answer session. He could wear a garbage bag and look great haha! He was still a little bit sick, but that didn't affect his attitude or interaction with the fans.

Our group was towards the end of the room because we wanted to be close to the area where Nick would sing so we were one of the tables that he greeted last. In the meantime, I was watching him interact with the other fans. He’s so personable and nice. I felt I had to use the technique of staring at him from afar so by the time that he got to our table I wouldn’t be completely fangirling. A friend said I looked scared lol. Scared that I would be a klutz, yes. 

“Oh my God! Only one more table to go and we’re next!” kept repeating in my mind and before I knew it Nick was right in front of me! I gave him a hug and said that it was really good to see him. Ahhhh! A Nick hug is the best! He said it was good to see me too and I think out of nerves I repeated it again, but of course meant it. I said that I had a gift for him and that since he was so incredible on Dancing with the Stars that I wanted to give him this…a trophy I had personalized. I usually like to give Nick gifts and had this idea pretty early on. I was going to try to replicate the actual Dancing with the Stars trophy, but knew that it would turn out looking like a preschooler put it together so I came up with the alternate idea. I wanted to surprise him with the gift but had to awkwardly bend down to grab it out of my purse since I didn’t want it to be already out in the open on the table. My self-awareness of how I can never bend gracefully quickly crept into my mind before I handed him the trophy. Nick asked if it was for him and so sweetly said thank you and seemed really excited about it!

 

I meticulously planned out how I would do each picture with Nick and was gratefully surprised when he was doing both selfies and a professional picture at the lunch, which would mean I would end up with three pictures with Nick instead of just two! I ended up asking him for a kiss and we took our selfie with the help of a friend. Yay! At this point I was having an outer body experience lol. I remember hearing some “awws” unless the aww in my mind was so loud lol. I ended up holding onto the trophy for Nick because he told me to hand it to so-and-so before I took the professional picture with him. I felt like I was holding onto the trophy because I was so worried it would fall and break that Nick felt like I didn’t want to give it to him at first lol. Me being nervous.

Nick moved on to those at my table and it was really touching to see Nick interact with my friends. I like his genuine, down-to-earth, fun vibe and how he exudes happiness and gratefulness. He has a special presence and is open to getting to know his fans. 

It’s funny because unbeknownst to me, apparently I was rubbing his back the majority of time he was near me haha! Honestly, I had no idea I was doing that...well, I just thought I did that once. I’m kind of embarrassed by that but Nick didn’t mind lol. A friend ended up getting video and I just can’t believe I kept doing that. I’m not even sure if I was rubbing his back for him or for me lol. 

Nick had to visit with a few more fans and then he grabbed a seat with one of his guitar players, talked for a bit, and then started singing a few songs. After this, Nick answered questions while we sat Indian style on the carpet. I felt like I was one of my kids in storytime lol. I would say one of the most interesting tidbits we heard from the Q and A would be that his parents were going to name him Chris until they decided on Nick. The name Chris is good, but I couldn’t see Nick being anything other than a Nick. Plus, there's already a Chris in that *cough* other boy band. This new fact was discovered after a fan asked if he and Lauren decided on a name for their baby. He said they did, by the way, but that they weren’t going to reveal it yet. Granted, we already know that their son’s name is Odin Reign Carter. (I’ll be blogging on this and more BSB news soon). 

Nick clarified that there will only be the acoustic concert on the cruise and it seemed to strike a cord when he answered a question about how it feels to be the youngest in the group but the oldest among his siblings. I should have asked him what his feelings are on the 50 Shades theme on the cruise, but since I'm not going I didn't want to ask a cruise question. I did want to ask him what his favorite part of the All American show is, but felt like being laid back I guess and didn't try to ask. There were one or two questions on Dead 7 and I wanted to ask what his favorite scene was to act in, but didn't.

I really enjoyed just having a laid back moment with Nick singing and talking and I’m glad he put on this lunch. After this, we lined up for the professional pictures. 

When it was my turn with Nick, I gave him another hug and told him that I didn’t know who to give the trophy to so he took it. He asked if I wanted the trophy in the picture and I said no lol but it ended up being in the picture anyway. The only reason I said no was because I wanted Nick to wrap his arms around me and touch me and not his gift haha, but the picture turned out really nice so I’m not complaining…and he’s still holding me :D Then I surprised the hell out of me lol. I had no plans at all to do this, but somehow I just did. Before I left, I gave Nick a kiss on the cheek and gleefully walked away lol. It practically felt like I was skipping…maybe I was haha! I’m such a geek around him. 

 I met a friend outside the room and after I told her I might die from what just happened, we walked to the House of Blues together. I know I teared up somewhere in between walking from the hotel to the House of Blues.

VIP Soundcheck

There was already a huge line outside to get into the venue, but I knew our vip line had to be inside. Well, it was inside but we couldn’t find it. No one could really help us either. Eventually we found it and it was rather long. That was okay though because I knew I didn’t want to be really up close to the stage before pictures were taken. I ended up being in the middle of the crowd. I met up with another friend and we watched the opening act perform, a young Britney Spears type that was alright sounding, and then of course Nick! I also happened to run into an old college friend and her sister and we talked a bit. I love how I see so many familiar faces through Nick’s events!

Nick’s soundcheck seemed to go fast and then it was time to line up and get our pictures taken with him again. I wanted to be in the front of this line and thought I was too far back, but it ended up working out just fine. We had to go upstairs to one of the balconies for the picture. 

 Finally! It’s my turn! I gave Nick another hug and didn’t know what to say so I didn’t say much. He said it was good to see me again and gave me another hug and made a cute sounding noise lol. We took our picture, which I love, and then he surprised me and gave me a kiss on the cheek! I didn’t even have to ask! Yay! I’m wondering if it’s because I kissed him before I left last time and skipped away lol. Either way, this made my day!!! I was so excited that as I was leaving, I quickly said that he picks out the best cover songs and he said “oh yeah?” and with a big smile. I think my last interaction with Nick was the best for me and it was an incredible way to end vip. I love when he sings cover songs and he picks songs that mean something to me and fits his vocal abilities. The way he sings Oasis’ “Wonderwall” is perfect! Sigh.  

Nick ended up liking our photo on Instagram, which happens to be the first time I ever posted a photo besides my profile picture.

The Show!

After this wonderful moment, I practically ran down to the stage and started the standing game. I was in the center and ended up with only one person in front of me. I thought I would be farther back, but this was the closest I ever was for a show. I just hate how there always seems to be one person in front of me, but at least this time I was able to hold the barrier for support. The long standing and pushiness is hard to tolerate. Because I wanted to secure my spot, I ended up having nothing to eat, not going to the bathroom, and having water. There also was someone trying to cut in front of me and girls getting out of their spots to use the bathroom. Not to be harsh, but I think if you leave the spot, you should lose the spot. I held it and knew I wouldn’t be able to get that close if I moved.

The opening act was better than previous opening acts, but not my thing. I did manage to get a guitar pick thrown into my bra from one of the guitar players…too bad it wasn’t Nick’s. 

Finally it was time for the man of the hour! Nickolas Gene Carter!!!!!

I loved his entrance and the whole show was remarkable! His stage presence and energy is perfect and he sounded great! The show was made up of his solo songs both new and old, BSB songs, and even some Nick and Knight…without the other guy lol. He is so sexy and confident on stage and it radiates! I loved hearing my favorite songs of his sung and seeing his dance moves up close. I enjoyed every cover song moment and had so many great BSB moments at the House of Blues venue. 

I am this close to the stage! lol

 Some funny moments were when Nick mentioned that he was getting zapped in the butt by his mic pack and when he did his pelvic thrusts. There was no towel thrown out during "Swet," which might have been a good call after the jersey fiasco at the volleyball event last summer. I liked when the band was all lined up and when Nick did some of his moves from Dancing with the Stars. When he sang "Falling Down" it reminded me of Nick's sister Leslie and my mom's passing.

After the Show

I met up with the girls to see the merch booth after the show. We were going to buy enough merch to get another selfie with Nick, but they sold out. I did end up getting two shirts. The one I wanted was sold out, so I’ll probably get that one on Nick’s website. 

My Nick swag lol

 Because of all the standing, we shared a cab to our hotel. I thought the hotel was rather nice and was satisfied. We ended up having the best time talking about the show, BSB, the cruise coming up, and how hot Nick is. It was nice having those to talk to that were as interested in Nick and the rest of the guys as I am and to have some girl talk. We ended up going to bed around 2.

In the morning, we grabbed some breakfast at a diner down the street and then went back to the hotel for a little while. We parted ways shortly after with the girls going to the museum and me finding my way back to Union Station. That was an ordeal, but I made it back and got back home safely. 

I had so much fun and Nick is so kind, fun, and wonderful! I wish I could be seeing him on the cruise in two weeks, but I’ll get to see him soon for a zombie convention in the area. 

It’s sad to not be able to go on the cruise this time around, but I can’t wait to hear all about it…particularly about 50 Shades of BSB. I hope to hear my friends having tons of interactions with the guys and enjoying Spain, France, and Italy with our five men. 

Thanks for reading and because of this being a tardy post, I’m going to blog about baby Odin, BSB in Vegas, and my cruise thoughts soon.