There truly is a magnificent country talent, and his name is Jon Randall. The guy is the total package from his fantastic songwriting to his very talented picking, and his great looks, but then there is that absolutely unbelievable voice that can sing a ballad like nobody else can. Even the song will be in tears by the time Jon gets finished with it since you can truly feel every conceivable emotion that Jon himself is feeling as he sings one so beautifully.
That is what attracted me to Jon in the first place. I am a lover of ballads. Nine years ago I found myself listening to this guy with my first CD of his. I found myself playing those ballads over and over with tears running down my face. I thought anyone who can do that to me deserved to have me as a fan. Ha! Then and there I began my search for any Jon Randall music possibly available to get my fix, and could hardly wait until the day I could finally see one of his live shows.
The chance finally happened with the memorable cruise, albeit nine years later. As soon as I heard Jon would be one of the artists, I had to sign up for it. My only hope was that for all these years I wasn't supporting someone who didn't respect a most avid fan who has anything I could ever lay my hands on in my collection. I wanted to be able to talk to my idol and to tell him how much I adored him for all these years.
The cruise ship was called Elation, and aptly named since I was so elated to meet Jon finally. It left Galveston TX. Oct. 27th. and returned Oct. 31st. 2005. We were supposed to spend one day in port in Cozumel Mexico, but because of the devastation from hurricane Katrina, that wasn't possible. We eventually spent one day in a little Mexican town called Progreso.
We were underway when the port was finally determined where we would disembark for the day. The option was to either take a day trip to the ruins or to shop in town. Although I wasn't aware of the easy accessibility to get to town to shop, I was able to just walk to the smaller shops right in front of where we docked and to enjoy a few fast hours of shopping for Mexican wares and saw Jon walking in the area shops as well. That tells you how the artists were just a part of the rest of us and were so accessible to all of us loving fans. I saw Shelly Fairchild returning to the ship behind me and she was kind enough to pose for a photo when we boarded the ship again.
The artists on board were Jon Randall, Wade Hayes, Shelly Fairchild, Jeff Bates, and Trent Willmon. Storme Warren from GAC's "Country Across America" series was also on board. A dee-jay named "Mike In The Morning" was there from one of the local radio stations as well. Everyone was in an incredible mood and all of the artists were so sweet and allowed all the fans to take pictures, sign autographs or just chat for a few minutes. I left the cruise being a fan of each of the artists more than I was when I left home. I had all of their CDs already, but the trip made me admire these great artists for the kind people they were to all of us fans and for their wonderful talent after seeing them in person. They all looked like they honestly enjoyed being there and appreciated the chance to get the exposure and all of them put on fantastic shows.
The first night (Oct. 26th.) was spent in Galveston TX. at the Harbor House Hotel and from there we would meet up with the cruiseship the next day. There was going to be a short showcasing of all the artists that night who would be on board. First there would be a BBQ with the artists roaming the grounds as well. I am not sure how many fans can truly relate to what their first experience was like when they got to meet their idol in person. All these thoughts were going through my head of what I would say, how I would feel, and how I would either be my typical babbly self, or perhaps clam up in utter disbelief at finally meeting Jon. It didn't take me long to find out. I took the first route mentioned here!
Seeing Jon for that first time was truly euphoric! There is something spectacular about being in the same space and time of the artist you love whose music has brought you such incredible emotions only on a CD player or seeing him on TV, and then there you are, face to face with this person who you truly adore. I told him how much I had loved his music for nine years, and how much I adored him. He truly was so moved and said such a heartfelt "thank you." He had a smile on his face that lit up an already darkened sky. He let me take our first picture together and then I asked if I could kiss him for another one, and he so kindly obliged.
Jon is a gentleman. A gentle man, and a gentleman who is so charismatic with his beautiful southern drawl and good looks that he could charm anyone who talks to him for a minute. He truly cares about his untarnished reputation and he cares about making people feel special.
