Casey Abrams - Skokie Theatre w/ the Reinharts

[Himm2]

I can't tell you what a great, great time we had seeing Casey tonight at Skokie theater in Skokie, Il. Penny and I started out by stopping by the theater early, found the doors open and wandered in to find Casey doing his sound check! We got to chat a little with him and get some pictures. Then we had first row seats with Himm, and Harry and Patti Reinhart for the show. Casey played by himself and was amazing! Patti and Harry both sang with Casey too.
After the show, got to hang taking pictures with Casey, and then all of us went out for drinks and food. I felt like I was part of the band. So much fun. Blake Lewis was there too! Remember the beat boxer from AI season 6? He was real nice and went out with us too.
Himm filmed the whole show. I got tons of picures but have to get up early, so will post later.

Casey snap chatted Haley during the show, and had the whole audience say "Hi Haley!"

And Casey got locked out of the theater during his show. He called Harry up on stage to play "House of the Rising Sun", and then announced he needed some water and would be right back. I guess he went outside, but did'nt realize the doors were locked. Harry was up on stage waiting for Casey, as he was suppose to sing the high parts. Casey was stuck knocking on the doors trying to get inside. He had to text the stage manager to get back in. Harry was like where is Casey??? It was pretty funny.

Got Harry & Patti back to their car by 1 AM that they left in my driveway for our ride down together. It was a night that I'll never forget, but I have to get to a breakfast at Rise & Dine with my wife & her girlfriends by 7:30 AM so I can't get videos & photos uploaded until I get back. see ya later.

[My Alter Ego]

Casey, doing a "one man show" -- and, yet, it's not quite a one man show. Casey's musicianship is superb.

[Himm2]

I stole the setlist off the stage as I was only 4 feet away from it, but Casey autographed it after the show and before we all had dinner & drinks together:



Group shot ( the 6th attempt at a good photo on my Camera by Casey's newly acquired groupie girl):


more videos coming as the day goes on.

[yanni5]

That looks like it was a really fun gig! One of the things I love about seeing Casey perform live is that you never know what to expect, and that he always makes you feel like you're part of the show. In Patti's case, she really was part of the show, too cool. Awesome seats you guys had too. Great vids Himm, thanks! I can't wait to see more. Now I just need to get them onto my ipod.

[Himm2]

Who remembers runner up to Jordan Sparks in season 6 of Idol? That was the beat-boxer Blake Lewis...who showed up at Casey's show and is pictured here with me. He joined us at our table of 12 at dinner after the show.



This is the ending segment after Casey got locked out of the theatre and he left Harry hangin' on the stage to fend for himself. Harry ad libed very professionally with an extra Blues song for about 10 minutes more than he had planned. Casey finally got back in and closed out with an encore of "Nature Boy" & "Mango Tree". Harry didn't want me to post his performance because he wanted Casey to do the high notes that he couldn't reach in HOTRS so that has to remain private.

[Tusk]

Blake hails from my neck of the woods, Bothell, WA.

Nice memorable night, thanks for sharing

[Himm2]

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"Blame It On Me" and "Bright White Morning":

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[lauraliz]

Thanks so much for posting all these fantastic vids and the recap! Looks like very cool Friday evening! Have seen a couple of the vids so far and loving them. Casey is great live performer. It's hard to believe he just turned 23. Even when he's solo--it's like there is a band with him--whether he is engaging the audience or with his musicianship. I also love his creativity, spontaneity and how he changes things up all the time.

So cool that Patti & Harry support Casey when he's in the area. It's so nice that this bond between Casey & the Reinharts continues on.

Anyway, can't wait to watch more of the videos in a bit.

[Haleylvr4evr]

Wish I could've been there but Skokie is over an hour from me, alot further than Wheeling.

[Himm2]

You Wore Out My Soul:



Surprised that my cellphone audio is as good as it is. I was worried that my memory card would be filled before the end of the show so I switched to my cell for these two songs. This second song called "Cougar Town" got some good laughs: