Newsfeed
Printer-Friendly ModeWinter WonderJam heats up Saginaw
January 17, 2005 —
Diana DeGarmo now knows why they call it the "Winter" WonderJam. The 17-year-old 2004 "American Idol" runner-up hails from Snellville, Georgia and isn't quite accustomed to the subzero January winds swirling outside of The Dow Event Center.
The energy inside, though? That's something DeGarmo can get used to.
The 2005 WIOG Winter WonderJam rocked the theater at The Dow Event Center on Saturday, Jan. 15 and left thousands of local music fans feeling all warm inside.
Along with DeGarmo, the WonderJam featured up-and-coming artists Tyler Hilton and Jesse McCartney as well as rapper Nitty. The three-hour music fest concluded with a performance from headliner Fabolous.
Palm Springs, California native Hilton took the stage first and warmed the crowd with songs from his recently released album, "The Tracks Of," including his hit single, "When It Comes." Despite his impending rise to stardom, Hilton said he is able to maintain a level-head and keep everything in perspective.
"I don't feel like it's really overwhelming because this is something I've worked so hard for, for so long," he said. "I've been doing this for over seven years now and it just feels like a really great payoff."
Hilton was gracious as he sat in his dressing room, a few guitars tucked away in corners of the room and a plate of lukewarm chicken in his lap. When asked his age, Hilton smiled, pointed to a bottle of wine on the table and proclaimed his admiration for finally making it to 21. Despite his age, Hilton's words were beyond their years as he offered important advice in regards to pursuing one's dreams.
"If you like singing or songwriting, graphic arts design or whatever, the important thing is to do it as much as you can," he said. "If you're good, people will find you."
Though Hilton has already been discovered, he never allows himself to forget that at one time, no one knew who he was.
"I just try to go out on stage and feel confident," he said. "But every time I'm up there I can't help but feel lucky. Damn lucky."
While Hilton's performance was reminiscent of his many coffee shop gigs, Nitty followed with an energy level that no Java Hut could contain. The Bronx, NY rapper brought the deafening crowd to their feet while performing a number of songs including his smash hit, "Nasty Girl." Nitty sent the crowd into frenzy when he asked how many of Saginaw's "nasty girls" were in the house and left the stage having delivered one of the best performances of the evening.
Though Nitty was full of vigor on stage, off stage he was soft-spoken and polite. He expressed his admiration of the Saginaw crowd saying, "It was one of the best crowds I've had in six months of being on the road."
Nitty's interview was interrupted momentarily as two backstage fans ran up, screaming his name and almost breaking down into hysterics. Nitty was visibly flattered as he signed the ladies' passes, posed for pictures and gave them hugs. Later, as he walked backstage, Nitty said he is proud that he is able to elicit that type of reaction.
"That's what it's all about," he said.
"The rap game has been so serious for so long. It's nice to see that we can make people happy and that what we do is good. It's the only reason we're here."
Next up was DeGarmo, bringing the same charm to the stage that made her so popular on "American Idol." DeGarmo's performance on stage lasted only a few songs but the impression she made on fans backstage lasted much longer. Amber Buckley, an 18-year-old incoming freshman, was clearly impressed with DeGarmo.
"I was just standing there talking to her and cracking jokes," Buckley said. "It just shows how great these people are and what kind of character they have to come to Saginaw and spend some time here."
In between acts, DeGarmo entertained fans again, leading a group of fans and WIOG interns onto the stage to perform the "Cha Cha Slide." Clearly, DeGarmo was on her 'A' game and was enjoying herself in the process.
As the night went on, no one familiar with such events was surprised by the artists or their fans. WIOG DJ Jimmy Hamm talked of the performer's personalities and accessibility.
"There's such a positive energy around here tonight," he said. "All of these artists are just so nice and so personable."
"They're so genuine, so real," added fellow DJ Man at Large. Large, a Mississippi native, was unmistakably excited about the evening's events. After some time away from the WIOG microphones, Large returned just two weeks ago and was already elbow to elbow with the stars. He is well past being nervous, but says he is excited for those who have never had a chance to experience the same things he has.
"I've been doing this long enough where it doesn't bother me anymore," he said. "But it's a great thing for those who are just coming in and they get to experience something like this."
The next-to-last act of the night was clearly the fans' favorite. Jesse McCartney took stage just around 9 pm and those in attendance never sat back down. Girls rushed the stage every moment the teenage heartthrob drew near. Those in the upper balcony proudly held signs displaying hearts and messages to McCartney. Every movement he made drew louder screams from the crowd, as did McCartney's confession that he and Hilton would be signing together. Just then, Hilton returned to stage as the two performed Gavin DeGraw's "Chariot."
McCartney finally exhausted the crowd as he finished his set with the nation-wide hit, "Beautiful Soul."
While Fabolous took stage as the last act, McCartney pulled his sweatshirt hood over his head and quietly watched from backstage.
It was clear he didn't want to draw attention to himself as he went to an isolated area in the back to be interviewed.
"I'm pumped," he said. "The reaction that the crowd was giving me was unbelievable."
"It's just been so awesome," he added.
"Today I'm here with Fabolous. Last week I was in New York City with Kelly Clarkson and Ashlee Simpson."
When asked what it is like to go from performing in New York City to performing in Saginaw, McCartney chuckled and said, "It's such a cool feeling…it amazes me. I've never been to Saginaw before, but people know me and it's just a great feeling."
Fabolous came out next to a crowd still hungry for music. Fans danced in the aisles as security continually had to keep fans away from the stage. As Fabolous finished and walked off stage, the crowd remained on their feet, almost too stunned to realize the show was over.
As the theater at The Dow Event Center emptied, a few backstage stragglers remained to get autographs and pictures from a few of the performers.
"I think the concert came off very well," said DJ Demas. "When we put on concerts, we try to have something for everyone.
Someone like Diana DeGarmo might be enjoyed by the moms and dads in the audience while the kids may be more into Jesse McCartney and Fabolous."
With that, The Dow Event Center was empty. The 2005 WIOG Winter WonderJam was over and everyone went their separate ways. Music fans from all over the area walked to their cars in the still January night; their ears still ringing with a night full of music and then slowly quieting as it was carried away by the frigid winter winds.