Billboard Music Awards: Keith Urban

Today was our 'VEGAS DAY'. My sister and I decided that we would take the shuttle to the strip today for the 2011 Billboard Music Award Red Carpet event. And it was pretty much everything that I thought that it would be. My Mom and about six other ladies in the group wanted to come with us. Not for the Billboard Awards but for a little visit to the slot machines. I threw on my new fedora and my cheap Hollywood style sunglasses and we were on our way.

My sister wanted to play 'War' at the Aria. But she also wanted to go to the Red Carpet with me. She doesn't have any interest in Celebrities at all. And I pretty much really do. So our plan was to hit the red carpet, see some stars and then head over to her casino for her card game that she loves. When we finally found the red carpet (after being told that it was closed to the public), it was already packed. I mean jammed packed full of people waiting to see the music industries biggest names of 2011.

We got a spot behind probably about 100 people. If it wasn't for the zoom lens that I had, we wouldn't have been close enough to take any pictures. But then we met some girls from Iowa. They actually met us because of ultra fancy camera that I brought. They said, "Hey you need to get closer. You have the nice camera". So they quickly moved us in next to them. And they were actually going to the Billboard Awards so they were dressed to the nines and ready to go. By the time they needed to leave, they have moved almost all the way up to the front. And guess who they insisted take their place when they left. Yes, my sister and I. So we thanked them and promised to email them some photos that I took of the two of them and a few pics of the celebrities.

And there we were, right at the front. Just about three heads back from the barriers. Then the celebs started rolling up in their limos and blacked out SUV's. We saw Rihanna (she was my favorite), 50 Cent, Keith Urban (blip) and Nicole Kidman, Joe Jonas, Taylor Swift, Ke$ha, Niki Minaj, some of the cast from Modern family, some pro boxers, Lady Antebellum, One Republic, Fergie, they just kept arriving and arriving. The fun was when the celebs would come out to meet and greet the fans. A handful did do that. But many got out of their cars and made a beeline for the photographer/press line. But how can you blame them. The people in our crowd were going nuts. They were chanting on and on for 'Bieber' and 'Gaga'. And those two artists never ended up showing for the red carpet. Talk about some broken hearted teenagers!

The experience was really cool though. Seeing how everything is set up. How the press works its magic with the stars. And just being in Vegas during this event was really cool. My sister actually ended up really enjoying it and we didn't even have time to go to her favorite casino for her card game before needing to get back for the final shuttle. Aaah I felt so bad but she didn't seem to. I bought her a Margarita on the way out to thank her for sticking with me the whole time. We had such a fun day together! And I think that after this, she 'kinda' likes Celebrities now. :)