As a long time viewer of GH (20+ years) I have always wanted to attend a GH Fan club event. It wasn't until this year that I finally decided to go ahead and make the journey all the way from Texas to California. Of course I had a few friends who I was traveling with so that made it much easier. Since I had never attended the events before I wasn't quite sure what to expect, allI know is that I was extremely excited to be out there among other fans of the show.
I have many wonderful memories from the weekend but one of the most memorable was getting the chance to see Jonathan Jackson (and his family) perform at Real Andrews Gospel Hour. That event alone brought me to tears. It's hard to describe my actual feelings as I sat there listening to the wonderful music and all the singing. The best way to *try* is to say it truly felt like there was some other presence inside the room with all of us. When I tried telling people about what occurred I would get a huge lump in my throat and chills all up and down my arms. It's something that I won't soon forget!
Jonathan, Richard and their dad played several songs. Most of them Religious songs, and some from their God Candy CD. They began by singing the U2 song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".It was just beautiful! There was one song that Jonathan sang that he said he wrote for his sister (it sounded familar but I can't remember what the song title was).
It was amazing to hear Jonathan speak very deeply about his beliefs. I have heard others mention hearing him speak before and all I can say is that it is a very emotional and touching thing to hear. He spoke openly of his love for God and how God loves each and everyone one of us. He is such a grounded person and it is obvious the impact his faith has had on his life.At one point both Real and Jonathan remarked how peaceful the room was (and I can attest to that!) It was also so amazing how everyone in the room was so respectful of one another. I think that speaks alot to how much this event meant to everyone involved.
Other performances at the Gospel Event included Lisa Vutaggio (Hannah). who performed "Day by Day" from Godspell. She did an outstanding job! Then Coltin Scott (Nikolas) was asked on stage and he sang a Garth Brooks song (One Night A Day) acapella! Let me tell you, he dida Great job! Vanita Harbor (Dara) was there with son. She wasn't planning on singing but was talked in to singing "Amazing Grace" while she held her son. Jonathan & Richard also sang along with Vanita and provided backup on guitar (jon) and Bongo's (richard). The crowd got into this one and sang along since most people knew the words! As I've mentioned it is hard to describe everything that occurred in the room. I just Thank God every day that I was given the opportunity to witness this event in person. I know for me I didn't want the event to end.
I've been told that The Gospel Event will be included on a video tape from the whole weekend that everyone definitely needs to get a copy of. (btw,All money from this video will go to one of Real's Charities! That in it self is a good reason to buy the tape) Contact Real's Fan Club President LindaTorrence at: linda4@austin.rr.com
Then when I thought things couldn't get any better, I attended Rebecca Herbst's 2nd Annual Soiree just upstairs from where the Gospel Hour wasfinishing up. My good buddies from Texas saved me a seat right up front sothat I wouldn't miss a single thing. Let me tell you that was one of THE Best events that I attended all weekend (and I attended 5) Becky is such a wonderful host and this year she made sure to include all of her young co stars (Amber, Michael, Jacob and Coltin) who had us all in stitches with their jokes and bantering back and forth.
Photo's By Reb.
Later during the auction, Jonathan made a surprise entrance and brought the crowd to their feet! What a touching sight it was to see him first shake handsand hug Jacob, then Coltin and Michael (3 guys he hasn't ever worked with)before encircling Becky into a hug and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Youcould tell that she was very happy and very surprised to see him (as werewe -since camera flashes were lighting up the room) Before leaving, Jonathan was asked to autograph a Lucky & Liz sign for one of his biggest fans (Frances) who was attending her second Soiree and who has generously helped out the Auctions both years. Needless to say we were all thrilled for Frances!!As Becky's event winded down, sadly so did the GH Weekend. I have to say that overall I felt that the whole weekend was a complete success! I enjoyed all the events I attended and Loved getting to meet up with all my friends that I have met online over the past few years. I hope I have the opportunity to go back again next year! ~Gayla
Thanks to a wonderful Jonathan fan for sharing her AWESOME report and pics with Jackson Lane!!
There is no way to adequately describe what I have just experienced. It
was inspiring. And I'm usually pretty uninspirable.
As you might have guessed, Jonathan did indeed show up tonight, and it was a
miraculous experience (not to sound too corny or anything) I'm gonna carry
this with me forever. It wasn't like any fan event I've been too. It was, as
if I got to see a side of Jonathan that I've never seen. I mean, we all know
that his faith means a lot to himbut today, I actually think I totally and
completely understood it for the first time.
Ok, but enough about how the event made ME feel. Let's get to the good
stuff.what did Jon look like??
One word: HOT!!!! Actually, make that two words: HOT!!! HOT!!!
Wardrobe: gray tanktop. But not your avearage run of the mill tank top. It
was like a regular t-shirt only with the arms ripped off (not the tacky
fringe type though). Blue jeans. Not too tight. Not too baggie. Just RIGHT!!!
Black tennis shoes with little blue stripes on the side.
Jewlery: two silver hoops!! One in both ear. Each of them had little beads on
them. The beads were either black or navy. Not sure.oh! and a Christian fish
neckace.
Hair: OMG. The hair looked AWESOME!!! Longer and SPIKEY (not like toadboy
spikey. Good HOT spikey)
What he sang: Oh man
First song: "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" BY U2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES!!!! I said U2!!!!!!! I liked the song before, but now. I think
it's my favorite song in the world. His voice was just beautiful, and before
he started he talked about how he loved U2 and that he knew Bono, and what
he thought the song meant. He related it to his faithand oh man. He was just
awesome..
Okone personal moment: half way through the song, he goes "you guys can sing
along." And he looked STRAIGHT at me!!!! And as soon as I started singing, he
NODDED AT ME AND DID THE EYEBROW THING!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Next up, some God Candy stuff.
He sang Wounded Guide, and it was PERFECT! That note where he
says "someday I'll be holy." He hit the note PERFECTLY!!! He was SO
ON IT!!!
He also sang God Candy. Just him and the guitar.bliss.
Everyone was in awe of him. Coltin Scott came in half way through, and Lisa
V., and they were both just dumbstruck! You could tell they were just staring
at him like "omg."
He then sang one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life. It
was a song written by he and Richard called "True Love" and it was written
for their SISTER on her BIRTHDAY!!! How sweet is that? Can you even
STAND IT!!! Some of the lyrics were like "count on me, come to me through it
all, I'm your one true love.." ugh. JustI can't even describe.
He sang a few more spiritual songs, and then he sang Jesus Loves Me and
Amazing Grace. This was like..oh man, the BOMB!!! He sang it with Vanita
Harbour, who was carrying her baby on her hip!! Oh man. Jon was just so good,
and Vanita's voice is like heaven as well. I thought the girl was gonna break
the windows. Jon stopped towards the end and just let her sing while he
played guitar. Then, Vanita stopped singing and Jon took over again. He
forgot the words and the crowd and his mom were shouting them to him! It was
SO funny! EVERYONE in the room was singing Amazing Grace.
Oh! And Jon with Vanita's baby! He was making faces at the baby, and rubbing his back, and
running his hands through his hair. Man, Jon was just totally affectionate
with everybody! He and Coltin hugged ( I hear from the grapevine that Coltin
came up to him after the performance and told him he was awesome). Jon
totally patted Lisa V.'s head before she sang and was rubbing her back too
(she's a pretty darn good singer btw). Jon seems big on backs. Hehehe. This
is gonna sound corny too, but Jon is ALL about the LOVE! LOL. He was just so
sweet with everybody.
He just astounded me. Everything he said was just, profound. I actually WEPT
through parts of it. He and Real had such wonderful things to say about each
other. Real said that sometimes he forgot that Jon was 20 years younger than
him. The things he says to him will have him thinking for weeks! Jon said
that it wasn't a mistake that their dressing rooms had been placed next to
each other, that it was a blessing.
Jon talked about how he's changed, and how in the beginning when he was 11 it
was really hard for him to deal with fans. That when he went to restaurants
and people were staring at him he couldn't really handle it. He said he'd be
honest. That he had pushed fans away, but he's gotten to the point where he
can totally deal with it, and he thinks it's a blessing so he embraces fans.
He just made us feel SO welcome! Truly like we were in his living
room (and that's what he kept saying he WANTED us to feel like). Even when he
was "preaching" he was never "preachy." I think everyone in that room felt
like they KNEW Jonathan.
Jon explained why his faith was so important to him and his acting, and how
it had pretty much effected everything with Lucky and Liz. How we got caught
up in Lucky and Liz, because he was caught up in it. His love for God and his
faith were totally his motivation.
You know, I just can't even tell you how awesome this whole experience was. I
feel like if I never again see Jon in personI'll be ok. It was everything I
wanted and more. His singing has gotten even better. His guitar playing is
out of sight, and more than anything, Jon as a person has impressed the Hell
out of me once again. He's just such a good person. I saw him take a girl's
video camera from her, and turn the tables on her! He smiled at her and asked
her what her name was. He started laughing as she giggled and waved, not
knowing anything to say. He just smiled and handed it back to her after a few
minutes.
For the longest time before they began, he just SAT there on the stage
talking to people. He was all smiles, and JUST happy. I don't think I've ever
seen him this happy.
Gospel Hour Photo Gallery 
Jonathan, Richard and their dad played several songs. Most of them Religious songs, and some from their God Candy CD. They began by singing the U2 song "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".It was just beautiful! There was one song that Jonathan sang that he said he wrote for his sister (it sounded familar but I can't remember what the song title was).
It was amazing to hear Jonathan speak very deeply about his beliefs. I have heard others mention hearing him speak before and all I can say is that it is a very emotional and touching thing to hear. He spoke openly of his love for God and how God loves each and everyone one of us. He is such a grounded person and it is obvious the impact his faith has had on his life.At one point both Real and Jonathan remarked how peaceful the room was (and I can attest to that!) It was also so amazing how everyone in the room was so respectful of one another. I think that speaks alot to how much this event meant to everyone involved.
Other performances at the Gospel Event included Lisa Vutaggio (Hannah). who performed "Day by Day" from Godspell. She did an outstanding job! Then Coltin Scott (Nikolas) was asked on stage and he sang a Garth Brooks song (One Night A Day) acapella! Let me tell you, he dida Great job! Vanita Harbor (Dara) was there with son. She wasn't planning on singing but was talked in to singing "Amazing Grace" while she held her son. Jonathan & Richard also sang along with Vanita and provided backup on guitar (jon) and Bongo's (richard). The crowd got into this one and sang along since most people knew the words! As I've mentioned it is hard to describe everything that occurred in the room. I just Thank God every day that I was given the opportunity to witness this event in person. I know for me I didn't want the event to end.
There is no way to adequately describe what I have just experienced. It
was inspiring. And I'm usually pretty uninspirable.
He sang a few more spiritual songs, and then he sang Jesus Loves Me and
Amazing Grace. This was like..oh man, the BOMB!!! He sang it with Vanita
Harbour, who was carrying her baby on her hip!! Oh man. Jon was just so good,
and Vanita's voice is like heaven as well. I thought the girl was gonna break
the windows. Jon stopped towards the end and just let her sing while he
played guitar. Then, Vanita stopped singing and Jon took over again. He
forgot the words and the crowd and his mom were shouting them to him! It was
SO funny! EVERYONE in the room was singing Amazing Grace.
