I walk along the city streets, you used to walk along (with me)
And every step I take reminds me of just how we it used to be
Oh, how can I forget you, when there is
Always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

OK, this has been a terribly busy work week for me. Hardly had time to go online and properly do my Archu duties!

But even if focused at work and harriedly going about my mum choirs, memories of @DavidArchie manage to sneak up at the oddest hours!

Like when I was driving home after doing the groceries, where would I find myself? Driving by the last spot where I said my goodbyes to David. Arrrghhh!!!!

At the Shang exit, the spot where David waved his last farewell

19 Feb 2012

I remember him walking fast but not-so-furious to the waiting car that would finally take him away from us… away from Manila. A couple of feet from the van, I stopped following him. You know to give him space… But inches before he reached the van, he turned to me, waved and with a smile mouthed “Bye… Thank you!”

What a perfect photo opp, right? A perfect ending to my chronicling of his 38-day stay in Manila. Instead, as he said his last farewell, I lowered my cam and achingly savored that moment. Forever committed to memory. Am sure you would understand…

Perci was looking on and I almost blurted out, “Take me with you!” Good thing I didn’t! LOL

So, that spot has a special place in my heart. Heck, EDSA Shang IS a special place for a lot of Archies with all the shenanigans and extraordinary times that happened there. Ha-ha-ha. But every time I pass that spot, I heave a sigh of you-know-what

The next day, on my way to work, I saw this car in EDSA. Now I happen to love some Mini Cooper. So I can’t help but smile whenever I see one on the road. But something was oddly familiar with this particular Mini Cooper… Hmmmm… I was thinking, “This one reminds me of the car David used for a photoshoot…”

As I looked at its plate number, I LOL and said to myself, “What are the chances!”

When I reached my office I checked on David photos and confirmed my hunch. It is the car! The same actual car David used for Forevermore album at Pin Antonio’s lovely house!

See what I mean by odd hours?! Isn’t it strange how part and parcel David has become of our stream of consciousness? Perhaps more than we care to admit?

What about you? What are the things that remind you of David? Would be nice to hear your “always-something-there-to-remind-me” moments.

~ jackryan4DA

At long last! David gets his own page on eOne’s Music website. And folks, it is looking GOOOOOOOOOOD!

From the eOne’s homepage, click on MUSIC on the header tabs, and this is how you will see David

When you click on the encircled image, this is how David is displayed

Then we find two links on the succeeding page. FIRST is his own artist page – woot-woot! Take note that you could also stream his music on this page.

NEXT, on the side, it leads to a separate page featuring an article. I think this is where they will put the latest on David

And who is not thrilled to see a ready page for this?!

Thank you Team Archuleta. Thank you eOne. Kari couldn’t have said it any better during the Sounds of David event

I know how much you miss David…I miss him so much too, but he will be back. … And he’ll be back bigger and better than ever.

Who knew going indie would be this cool. We best get ready folks! Don’t forget the defib and tissues. Seriously.

~ jackryan4DA

ps: Let me leave you with this gem of a smile

Click the image to make it LARGER

What could be more heartwarming than friends, fans and admirers coming together for a cause while celebrating the music of beloved idol who is far and away pursuing his personal mission? A gala in honor of David was held last April 6 at the Newport Beach Marriott Bayview in Los Angeles, California.

An auction was held to benefit two charities close to David’s heart — ChildFund International and CMN Hospitals

As we await stories, sharings and more footage of the recent Pamela Pike initiative, let’s watch the 1st set of videos posted

VIDEOS

SUNNY HILDEN Talks about How & When She Met DA p1/2 (credit – @lizmag3_DA2014)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrRD8P8so9M

SUNNY HILDEN Talks about How & When She Met DA p2/2 (credit – @lizmag3_DA2014)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaXbSQwVymM

SUNNY HILDEN – MKOC Poem (credit – @lizmag3_DA2014)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-zNpz6MdFg

Man in the Mirror – Cover by Dorian Holley (credit – jenleighbarry)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjDSYZFxuLI

Man in the Mirror – Cover by Dorian Holley thanks to MsPoochiesan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6AIknIVPbU

My Funny Valentine – Cover by Dorian Holley thanks to MsPoochiesan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLxfxcvK410

Archies singing CRUSH thanks to MsPoochiesan

PICTURES

@kariontour 7 Apr
Look who Jon Hunt and I ran into at the Sounds Of David event we stopped by at! Its @DavidArchie pic.twitter.com/uCN0Tze2co

The Centerpiece as posted by MasterClassLady

Will add more as they come. Here they are!

SOD preparations from their FB

“VIP” Moment of Archies w/ David

As the Sounds of David FB states

This past year we have received many gifts from David’s heart and we hope this event will give our gift of love to him and the many children he always supports

Quite certain that David will be thrilled and as usual, overwhelmed by this wonderful gesture. Thanks Pam for following through with this.

Amazing fans of an amazing person

Finally! The most anticipated day in Archuland for the year 2013 is upon us

Some hours ago, for a number of countries, iTunes began its delivery of No Matter How Far, generating an online squee-fest from David Archuleta’s dedicated fans. Some US fans went around the metropolis buying the physical CDs – although for sure these same peeps pre-ordered the album, LOL. Such are the ways of true-blue Archies.

Team Archuleta did a fantastic job pacing the build-up towards the album’s launch date.

From Kari’s very tempting teasers –

to eOne’s periodic tweets –

to the streaming of NMHF on Billboard & AOL –

to the release of Kylie’s animated DRA MV on davidarchuletaVEVO on the eve of the album’s launch –

THE OFFICIAL DRA MV

THE MAKING OF THE VIDEO

to the back-to-back dressing-up of the OS & the VEVO channel –

And now, a CD contest for the fans!

Will Charting Matter?

As of 3pm (Manila time), NMHF album sits at #16 in the Pop iTunes Charts. Marketing budget may not be a-plenty but this is not bad for an album whose artist is in absentia – at least for the next 12 more months…

It may also be good to note that NMHF arrives exactly a year after the Forevermore album was launched. Sure makes it easy for the fanbase to remember the numerous milestones in David’s young career.

David’s Liner Notes

Can you think of another artist whose liner notes is as anticipated as David’s?

And he does not disappoint here. His grateful heart cannot contain the bountiful appreciation that he expresses for all the people around him.

And of course he saves the best for last — for his fans. WARNING: Read and weep with joy for its sheer poetry –

… Lastly, I want to thank all of you fans. I appreciate your respect for what my focus is for these 2 years, and appreciate all of the messages you have sent my way while being out here. This is another gift to all of you of songs from past projects that weren’t easily available to everyone, and also other songs that are new to you fans that we have pulled out of the vault. Thank you for all you do and for waiting. This is my thanks to you for everything in the past, present, and future. That No Matter How Far, what was in the heart before is still here, and will be here when I return.

¡Muchísimas gracias! ¡Hasta pronto! – David

Yes, I choked and bawled after reading it. Who wouldn’t? Here you are amazed at the extent of planning he made for his 2-year sabbatical from showbiz. Then, you feel blessed knowing that you are not alone, literally counting the days of his return. Plus you terribly miss him. Then KAPOW! You read that last line. WhatTHE???!!!

I have no words enough to express my… I don’t even have a word for it. All I know is I am filled with raw emotions for this guy who has blanketed my virtual alternate life with so much warmth and joy, much more than I feel I deserve. (Note: I’ll Never Go is playing in the background as I write these paragraphs, REALLY!!!!)

¡Muchísimas gracias, David! ¡Hasta pronto to you, too! (Hasta pronto means “see you soon”)

AND YOU MY DEAREST BETTER BE PREPARED for the deluge of love, affection and crazeh-ness that will come your way upon your return. Believe me Mr. Archuleta. If you think you have seen love from your fans, dude, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Let me leave you TDC with some more pics from the album

NO MATTER HOW FAR – available from iTunes, Amazon, Sears, Bars & Noble, WOW HD and many more. Get your copies now!

~ jackryan

In what could be one of the most important exposures for David’s 6th studio album, Billboard started streaming “No Matter How Far” yesterday. Clear & crisp soundcloud versions of all tracks!

The feature was not lost on the public as another round of buzz followed suit.

musicandvids.com ‏@musicandvids 26m
David Archuleta – Nothing Else Better To Do http://p.ost.im/p/dxD6jS #musicandvids @DavidArchie

LAremix.tv ‏@Laremixtv 3m
David Archuleta, ‘No Matter How Far’: Exclusive Album Premiere: In 2010, “American Idol” alum… http://goo.gl/fb/zOmqg

Live Wire Enterprise ‏@LiveWireUSA 45m
#LiveWireRecords David Archuleta, ‘No Matter How Far’: Exclusive Album Premiere: In 2010, “… http://bit.ly/YhnEum #LiveWireAthletics

Breaking News ‏@AnyBreakingNews
David Archuleta, ‘No Matter How Far’: Exclusive Album Premiere – Billboard: BillboardDavid Archuleta, ‘No Matt… http://bit.ly/WT5D3F

Movie Music Room ‏@momuroom 1h
#MusicRoom David Archuleta, ‘No Matter How Far’: Exclusive Album Premiere http://dlvr.it/36wdWP

mayhem management ‏@MayhemMgmt 4m
David Archuleta, ‘No Matter How Far’: Exclusive Album Premiere http://bit.ly/13ja6Al

American Idol Watch ‏@A_Idol_Watch 2m
#CelebrityNews #AmericanIdol David Archuleta – No Matter How Far – Billboard Listening… http://dlvr.it/36xQnK #TeamFollowBack AINews

Rickey™ ‏@rickey 1m
LISTEN: David Archuleta – No Matter How Far EP – MP3 Stream @davidarchie http://fb.me/zgnia9IE

M Is For Music ‏@misformusicnews 2m
David Archuleta, ‘No Matter How Far’: Exclusive Album Premiere http://goo.gl/fb/yRwKY

@OnAirJake 24m
Listen to David Archuleta’s album premiere on Billboard: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1554218/david-archuleta-no-matter-how-far-exclusive-album-premiere …

David Archuleta – No Matter How Far – Billboard Listening Party (AUDIO)

http://www.mjsbigblog.com/david-archuleta-no-matter-how-far-billboard-listening-party-audio.htm

http://cartermatt.com/53677/american-idol-notes-adam-lambert-david-archuleta-phillip-phillips/
David Archuleta album preview – Finally, a quick announcement for all David fans out there: if you want to preview his entire new album “No Matter How Far,” you can do so over on Billboard. We’ll have some more in-depth coverage of the disc soon, but for now we just have to applaud everyone close to the season 7 alum for finding more and more ways to keep him in the spotlight, even though he is currently going still on a Mormon mission in Latin America.

eOne Music ‏@E1Music 1m
Try It Before You Buy It: @DavidArchie’s No Matter How Far is streaming in full now on @billboard » http://ow.ly/jkzMg 3.26.13

Interesting bit in Bilboard’s feature is the fancase’s contribution to the realization of this album -

Before leaving, Archuleta recorded a number of songs that were never placed on an official album — some unfinished demos, others hard-to-find cuts that had only been shared on international releases. Thanks to his dedicated fanbase, many of these tracks were shared online, catching the eye of the label Entertainment One, who decided to compile them into a proper album: “No Matter How Far.”

What more can we do? LISTEN! SHARE! CONTINUE STREAMING ARCHIES!

So who is excited to get their hands on their NMHF CD as we countdown to 26 March 2013?

~ jackryan

Oh my heck!  It’s that time of year again!

It’s time to honor David by giving to

THE DAVID ARCHULETA MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP!!!

We’re kicking off this year’s campaign

TODAY, Monday, March 11^th!!!

David left us a piece of his heart so his fans have been using

his HEARTPRINT to pay forward his goodness in so many different ways.

This scholarship in his name is just one of the ways that

fans have worked together…using David’s inspiration…

to reach out to others while honoring him. 

While he is gone, he can be assured that his fans are enriching

their lives while giving to others.

We look forward to many more fans participating this year by giving

back to him for all he has done for his fans and others around the world.

We can’t thank you enough for supporting this scholarship,

as it is a fitting tribute to David and means a great deal to him.

DAVID FANS UNITE!!!

http://www.thedavidarchuletamusicscholarship.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0snJWDYAKc

LISTEN TO THE SNIPPETS HERE

From the time the track listing of David’s 6th studio album had been released, fan reaction has been like a pendulum on a swing – from the expected spazz-like kind to downright disappointment – the latter being a surprise.

The spazzfest that ensued is par for the course, I suppose. I mean we are a spazz-infested fandom, aren’t we? LOL. But it is taking me a while to comprehend the disappointment I have been getting from some fans.

Is the disenchantment coming from the album having just one bonafide new song? After Forevermore and BEGIN., do we realistically expect to have a spanking new album with all fresh tracks?

Considering that our guy was recording till the eve of his departure for BEGIN., when do we realistically expect him to work on some more fresh tracks?

Let’s slice & dice the track listing, shall we?
1 New – HFA
1 New but previously leaked – DRA
4 Bonus track from TOSOD Asian Ed – EAM, LDH, NM & Wait
1 Bonus track from TOSOD JPN & UK Ed – NEBTD
3 OPM album – Tell Me, ING & Forevermore

Given that 80% of the album are tracks not released in the US, am taking this 6th studio album of David as (1) a way to reach out, specifically to US listeners – fans & non-fans alike, and (2) to keep his presence even in a small way in the music world.

Am I begrudging my disappointed co-Archies? No. Am just sad that they feel that way. My hope is that they are just a minority.

Now that the snippets of the new song has been released, can we expect the disenchanted to turn around or be turned off?

Will the album or any of its tracks have any bit of chance to make waves in the US? That is a very nice notion. Realistic? Probably not, given the state of the music industry that David left behind. But you never know…

For me, anything released by Team Archuleta during his supposed sabbatical is icing on the cake. And grateful for them.

But then again, to release NMHF through Entertainment One Music – “the #1 Independent Music Brand in North America” is a good sign that David intends to follow through with his promise to return to music.

It would be interesting to see in two years time, what David will find when he makes his comeback. More important is what David will bring in. Will the twain ever meet?

What do you think?

No Matter How Far – snippets & pre-order from iTunes for 9.99

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/no-matter-how-far/id609909888

~ JR

ps: Will be uploading the snippets, at least of the new song “Hearts Fall Out”

@DavidArchie
A slightly better picture. Was not easy to stop on the side of the road in Manila in the middle of traffic! (KS) pic.twitter.com/JeKi5WOM

Has it really been a year? My, how time flies indeed! I asked MDW what was her fave scene from the series and she replied with this -

I won’t attempt to choose cos… I can’t even… It would be a futile exercise – ya know what I mean? LOL

Happy NA Anniversary everyone! Thanks Kari & MDW for the throwback moments.

How bout you, what’s your fave scene from the series?

~ JR

ps:

@MyDearWriter
“So when you find your true love… hold on to it & never let go.. because that’s what I would do…” #NanditoAkoMemories #JoshBradley #TrueLove

ps2: And for anything NANDITO AKO or anything DAJIM 2012 (David Archuleta’s Journey in Manila, here is the landing page for easier reference & access
http://www.thedavidchronicles.com/category/nandito-ako/

DRA HAS ARRIVED!

Catching everyone by surprise, TeamArchuleta made a ninja move whenDon’t Run Away, carrier single from David’s 6th studio album No Matter How Far became available on iTunes on 2/12, a week before the rumored date.

@DavidArchie
David’s new single Don’t Run Away will be available on iTunes tomorrow! 2/12/13 (TeamArchie) pic.twitter.com/1xRIp1o5

Despite the audio file being available for streaming from eOne’s soundcloud, YT and almost all major online media outlet, the Archies came in full force with the event trending in US & Canada as we greeted 2/12 and charted on iTunes’ Top 200 Pop Songs

Thanks pabuckie for capturing the moment

And this old-new song landed on #168 on the iTunes’ Top 200 Pop Songs, as of its release date. Rose to #153 fo that day. As of this writing (Feb 12; 12:41pm), it sits at #196. Should this bother Archies who are used to seeing David’s releases land the Top100?

Given that despite having new tracks on the NMHF album, David chose to have a carrier single that comes from –

– should clue in fans around the world that, at least for this track, sales or charts are not the overriding concern of David and/or his Team. To expect otherwise may land some of us in disappointment.

The album may be a different ball game altogether… With “may be” being the operative phrase.

Sending DRA to AC stations is also a wise step. Aside from the song’s style fitting the AC format, it would be a lot easier to gain radio airplay than in CHR. But if this guy is to rule it, me thinks DRA has a chance to be played on a Top 40 station, LOL!

Perhaps it is useful to go back to what David said before he left: that he did not want to leave his fans with nothing.

And he left us with SO much. SO MUCH MORE than what is naturally expected from someone leaving for a life-changing, dream-of-his-lifetime personal endeavor. As fans, am sure we are grateful and joyful of his gifts and leave-behinds. It is also not lost to us that it is double-purpose. A thank you for us fans sticking around and a way to keep his core fanbase for his return in 2014. David may be “adorkably” random but he is deliberate busineness-wise.

So, like the cool vibe that the DRA imagery present, shouldn’t DRA’s message give us assurance of his return and still our souls?

Don’t Run Away Lyrics

When something’s wrong
And too much to handle
Try to find some peace of mind
Let it go.
Wait a minute, you know this road
It’s gonna leave you on overload

Yeah…

‘Cause somebody cares, yeah

I can see you hurting (turn around)
I will be right there
Don’t run away (x3)
When I reach out to you, look around
I will be right here
Don’t run away (x3)
Tonight

Hmm…

Don’t make a sound
I’ll be your voice
You don’t need to be afraid
Anymore
I’ll shine a light out in the dark
Guide you here no matter how far

Ooooohhh, yeah

‘Cause somebody cares, oh yeah

I can see you hurting, (turn around)
I will be right there
Don’t run away (x3)
When I reach out to you, look around
I will be right here
Don’t run away (x3)
Tonight

Open up
Let it all out tonight, yeah
Open up
And everything will be alright

I can see you hurting, (turn around)
I will be right there
Don’t run away (x3)
When I reach out to you, look around
I will be right here
Don’t run away (x3)

(Layered vocals of these words)
Oh, away, away, away, away, away
Don’t run away
Oooh, yeah

Tonight…
Tonight…

In the meantime, buy, gift, stream, comment or review DRA (or REQUEST it when the right time comes!) to help sustain presence in the stream of consciousness of anyone who care to listen to music. Both images on this page are linked to iTunes’ DRA page.

No Matter How Far drops 3.26.13

ps: Way to go Malaysia!

Yes, we know it is silly… Yes, we know it can drive us crazy…

And I quite agree: it really doesn’t amount to anything as prestigious as the Grammys or Billboard; or as rewarding as a titlist of a singing competition… It is fluff, it is tedious and in all probability the object of our affection does not even care about it, whether he is actively in showbiz or in hiatus.

But it is supposed to be fun and a way to get Archies come together.

So what’s in a title? What does it mean to be 1st Pinoy’s Foreign Act Newsmaker of the Year?

Logically? NADA. Intrinsically? It’s the principle of the thing.

The simple truth is, for 2012 in Manila, David was THE Foreign Act Newsmaker of the Year. For 38 days during the 1st quarter of 2012, The Archuletor was all over Manila. TV, radio, newspaper, online – you name it, he was a media magnet.

His Manila stint even went global — trending worldwide for lengths of time.

Nandito Ako, David Archuleta, 59 WW Twitter Trends thanks to McKenzie Harris

And international Archies had been active participants in this experience! Spending late night / early morning vigils – depending on which side of the globe you are located – just to catch up on the livestream of a local mini-series. But not before we endure the pirouetting of Willie’s dancers and seemingly endless commercials of the lead-in gameshow, WTBT – bahahahahaha!

Even just for the simple fact that David learned a Tagalog song and interpreted it like he is a true-blue Pinoy himself should take the cake… and the bacon… heck, throw in the enchiladas and the spicy nachos!

There should not even be a contest about it. Of course, am biased

Buuut there is this silly poll. And there is an equally driven, if not more fanatic (yes! we have met our match!) group of fans propelling their beloved candidate to the top spot. Can’t blame them. It’s the nature of the beast. We have ODD. They have their.. whatever, LOL.

David DESERVES the title. That’s the source of my passion for this. And am not saying that if you do not share my passion, then you are not a good Archie! Has nothing to do with it.

Considering that since mid-January, David had been on top this poll, to lose it in the final stretch of the game is I think a shameful waste of everyone’s energy and time.

Last Saturday, he was leading by 146,000. We lost all that today

Of course there is the Superbowl. And Musiqtone. And our personal commitments and responsibilities. Or perhaps online voting is just not your thing- especially drawn out polls like this one A whole lot of other stuff that outweighs a silly tedious little poll.

But I never figured Archies to be quitters. Especially if we recognize that all it takes is a concerted effort if the go-getters like us are properly informed and primed.

SO: how do we make this a bit more interesting??

A. TWIT/TWEET AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!

1. The 1st 25 Archies who put up 5,000 votes on Twitter will each get EITHER

* an 8-disc set of David Archueta’s Journey in Manila 2012 (DAJIM). It is my personal collection of David’s 38-day stay in Manila from arrival to departure in glorious HD DVD format.

* OR an HD copy of Season 7 DVD. Winners can choose between the two.

I did a time and motion study on this and 100 votes is doable under 15 minutes. So 5,000 in the next 8 or 9 days? PEANUTS!

2. Tweets should be in this format:

@ELifestyleBlog #TELPinoyNewsmaker I Vote for DAVID ARCHULETA for FOREIGN ACT NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR #xxxx #NoMatterHowFarDavidArchuleta

3. If you have reached 5,0000 tweets, email me at JR4DA2012@gmail.com so I can verify the time and date, under your username.

4. Re-tweets are not counted.

5. Incentive period runs from 6pm Feb 5 and ends midnight Feb 13.

6. What is the “#xxxx” in the twit message? That’s the counter to guide us both as to how many you have twitted. For example #200, if that is 200 tweet you have sent. Of course this means if you have been voting prior to the incentive run, you need to re-set your counter back to 1 at 6pm Feb 5, ok?

7. The hashtag #NoMatterHowFarDavidArchuleta is optional. But the counter is mandatory.

8. Why Twitter? Cos it is the voting channel that we can easily monitor individual contribution.

B. BONUS INCENTIVE – WANNA GET YOUR NA FIX? — UPDATED

9. Due to copyright restrictions, I have to rescind the incentive for the NA DVD. Sorry guys. Tried pushing the edge but there are more important considerations at stake. So I hope this doesn’t deter the twitter voters. INSTEAD THIS IS THE NEW BONUS INCENTIVE, the highest twitterer, going beyond the 5K tweets will get BOTH DVD sets above! additional set of NA DVD Yes the whole series and yes in HD format as well!.

C. SO WHAT ABOUT THOSE VOTING ON POLL DADDY?

10. As soon as we reach the 1 MILLION MARK for David, every 25,000 incremental votes on top of the 1 MIL will be equivalent to 1 set of DAJIM 2012 or AIS7 DVD, to be raffled off to participants of this game.

11. Since I have no way of verifying who voted or not, we will just have to go by honesty or honor system in this case Post here at TDC, tweet me @jackryan4DA or just email me your name at JR4DA2012@gmail.com, to say you want to be included in the EL Poll Daddy raffle.

D. THE PENULTIMATE INCENTIVE – THE REAL NA FIX!:

Want to own the last shirt @DavidArchie wore during Nandito Ako Final episode? See pic below!

When we reach 1.250 million at Poll Daddy, this shirt will be the final raffle item to all those who want to participate. The top 25 twitter voters will automatically be entered in the raffle with 2 stubs in, doubling their chances of winning!

12. The list of possible recipients will be published here and from where we will draw the winners.

13. This is open to all Archies, NO MATTER HOW FAR.

14. All DVDs & the shirt will be mailed to lucky winners, ASAP.

15. Remember this incentive starts on 6pm Feb 5 and ends midnight Feb 13, Manila time.

GAME?!

~ jackryan4DA

ps: The Nandito Ako Finale Scene Shirt or what I call the “kite-flying” shirt, in all its glory! What would it take for you to own it, I wonder?