PAGE 12 - August 5, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
American Idols Tour,
Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm & Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
(352)447-2611
Up Close & Personal
BuddyandFreds.com
Special to The Newscaster by Robin Russell
46 U.S. Hwy. 19 Food Ranch Plaza Inglis, Florida
Not previously being a fan of American Idol, I didn’t know what to expect when I
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attended the American Idol Live Tour concert in Tampa on July 28.
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The tour’s Front of House Sound Engineer, Randy Lane, and I go way back, to
about 1980, where we met in a little town called Doniphan, Missouri. I was then twelve
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years-old and visiting my father, who lived there at the time. My father is Tom Russell, the
founding editor of The Newscaster.
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We lived in a very rural area, located about twenty miles from Doniphan. My dad
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owned and operated a farm, complete with animals, including horses, and a large, wholesale
greenhouse. Randy rode horses and went swimming with me and my step-brothers and step-
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sister. We watched Randy play in local little league games, more than once. About two years
later, I moved to Doniphan, to live full-time with my Dad, and we attended high school
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together.
According to
Randy, he had a crush
on me, but I did not
know this until we
reconnected on Face-
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Randy has worked in
the broadcasting and
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sound business since
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1985 and received his
broadcasting  degree
from Freed-Hardeman
College  (Tennessee) Sonja Kahmer (left) and Robin Russell pause for a picture backstage
in 1989. He quickly with Idol performer and runner up Scott MacIntyre at last week's Ameri-
developed a love for can Idols tour show in Tampa.
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sound and production.
Randy
is
self-employed in the sound engineering business. His credentials include touring with art-
ists such as Brian Adams, Fuel, Three Doors Down, Aero Smith, James Taylor and Creed,
just to name a few. He also did the sound for President Obama’s inauguration. About three
years ago, he joined American Idol to do their live tour shows at the end of each season.
Tuesday night’s concert was an amazing show. I learned that Randy is in control
of everything you hear at the concert. Each of the ten “Idols” sang two to four songs, and
they all sang together, as well. Some of my favorite moments include Scott MacIntyre and
Matt Giroud playing pianos head-to-head, the different expressions of Adam Lambert and
the heart and magnitude that Kris Allen puts into his singing.
I was disappointed that I was not familiar with the songs sung at the concert, but
learned from fans of the American Idol TV show, that the songs they performed on TV were
better known. My favorite songs at the concert were Danny Gokey’s rendition of Michael
Jackson’s “PYT,” Kris Allen’s “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and the finale song, “Don’t Stop Be-
lievin’” by Journey, performed by the entire group of ten.
My best friend of many years, Sonja, attended the concert with me. Randy, gave us
programs and back stage passes to the “Meet and Greet” designed for autographs and pho-
tos, backstage, after the concert. Sonja was quite upset when Adam Lambert decided attend
the “Meet and Greet,” but no explanation was given as to why he was not there! The rest of
the Idols were all very cordial, especially Kris Allen, who was very down-to-earth.
Will American Idol become a favorite TV show for me? I’m not sure, but attending
the concert was a fun experience, in and of itself! I especially enjoyed seeing my old friend,
Randy Lane, whom I wish much success in his burgeoning career.
The American Idols tour will average nearly one show per day and will conclude
Randy Lane (FOH) audio enginneer at his multi-mutli channel control board as Robin watches
September 15th in Manchester N.H. Robin Russell is the daughter of Tom & Debbie
the Tampa American Idols tour show last week. Photo by Sonja Kahmer.
Russell of Dunnellon and Sue and Jim Volpe of Hudson.
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