Josh Krajcik fans find friendship
Amanda Parkinson and Sally Shadel both live in Wooster but had never met until an unlikely event brought them together. Both Shadel and Parkinson are die-hard fans of Josh Krajcik, Triway High School graduate and The X Factor celebrity. After they interacted on the Hometown Fans of Josh Krajcik Facebook page, they decided to meet.
“We were both at the first watch party at the Olde Jaol in Wooster, and she recognized me from my Facebook picture,” Parkinson said. “Now we’re friends. We communicate all the time.”
Shadel and Parkinson said they aren’t the only ones.
“It’s bringing this city together,” said Shadel. “Just look at all of these people.”
Indeed, the square of downtown Wooster, Krajcik’s childhood stomping grounds, was crowded with folks of all ages on Sunday evening, Dec. 4, as hundreds hoisted signs and rocked out on air guitars amidst honks and hollers from motorists, all in support of the talented young man whose music, according to The X Factor judge and Krajcik’s mentor Nicole Scherzinger, “can change the world.”
“We talk to people every day from around the globe who love Josh,” said Shadel, who, along with Parkinson, helps moderate the U.K.-based Facebook fan site, “Josh Krajcik to Win X Factor USA,” created by Bernard McGawley of Kent, England. McGawley was first drawn to Krajcik largely because of Lisa Pim.
“As with millions of other viewers worldwide, I was immediately taken by Pim’s panicky persona and unerring support,” said McGawley. He has since connected with Pim and looks forward to making a stop at Wooster’s The Olde Jaol on his next U.S. visit.
“I’ve approved members from Greece, South America, Brazil, Panama, and Thailand,” Sally Shadel said.
“And Amy Kwok, a happy-go-lucky girl from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” Parkinson added with a laugh.
One international supporter is Susanne Vigsř Moiras, a Krajcik fan originally from Denmark, now living on the Grecian island of Aegina. Moiras was hooked from the first time she heard Krajcik belt out Etta James’ At Last during his first audition on The X Factor USA in September.
“Rarely, if ever, has a voice gone straight to my heart and soul like Josh’s,” said Moiras. “Everything about it is amazing--the raspiness, the warmth, the soul, the range--everything.”
Moiras said that, as a Dane, she also appreciates Krajcik’s laid-back and down-to-earth qualities.
“He seems like the guy next door, like a brother or son, so approachable.”
It’s no exaggeration that Krajcik Magic is also bringing fans together from coast to coast. Sue Phillips of North Tonawanda, N.Y. might just be the east coast’s biggest fan after she caught Krajcik’s first The X Factor performance.
“I knew I was hearing history,” said Phillips. “I got goosebumps listening to this man who was everything his over-the-top proud Mom said he was.”
Phillips has ordered multiple Josh Krajcik T-shirts and calls herself a “voting beast,” forsaking all else to place as many as 1,000 calls each Wednesday night.
“I communicate regularly with a California woman I met online because of Josh,” Phillips said. “We’ve exchanged hundreds of messages.”
Sunday’s flash mob was the result of what organizers Shari de Wever and Jodi Kennedy said was a “silly comment” made on the Hometown Fans of Josh Krajcik Facebook page just two days prior.
“I thought it would be cool to have everyone gather like a flash mob, wear Josh Krajcik shirts, and play air guitar,” said Shari de Wever, Triway class of ‘92, who traveled from her home in West Akron. “It ended up turning into an unbelievable event.”
Cayden de Wever, 5, came to rock with his decked-out guitar. When asked if he thought Krajcik would win The X Factor, he responded with an enthusiastic, “Oh, yeah!”
Krajcik wasn’t the only one with fan support. Wooster’s Jacki Chamberlain proudly raised a giant sign in honor of Krajcik’s mother, declaring, “Lisa Pim Rocks!”
“She’s part of the way over 30 crowd,” said Chamberlain, “and we think she’s a rockin’ mother.”
Chamberlain said that Pim, a retired Triway teacher, was great with her students. De Wever agreed.
“I had both Bill and Lisa Pim as wonderful teachers many moons ago,” said de Wever. “Lisa was my cheer coach and made such a huge impact on my life at that critical junior high age. She inspired you and believed that you could achieve your dreams.”
“This is a great family who really deserves this,” said Chamberlain.
Pim said she and Krajcik are very happy to have come from such a supportive community. Krajcik wanted to be certain that the event was recorded so he could see it.
“I loved how many kids were cheering,” said Pim, who was also thrilled to see Santa himself rocking out to Krajcik’s rendition of the Foo Fighters’ Pretender.
“It’s amazing how we can come together,” said de Wever. “But I’m not shocked. Wooster’s just that kind of community.”
And, apparently, the world is that kind of community, too.
A video of the flash mob can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/krajcikmob.
“We were both at the first watch party at the Olde Jaol in Wooster, and she recognized me from my Facebook picture,” Parkinson said. “Now we’re friends. We communicate all the time.”
Shadel and Parkinson said they aren’t the only ones.
“It’s bringing this city together,” said Shadel. “Just look at all of these people.”
Indeed, the square of downtown Wooster, Krajcik’s childhood stomping grounds, was crowded with folks of all ages on Sunday evening, Dec. 4, as hundreds hoisted signs and rocked out on air guitars amidst honks and hollers from motorists, all in support of the talented young man whose music, according to The X Factor judge and Krajcik’s mentor Nicole Scherzinger, “can change the world.”
“We talk to people every day from around the globe who love Josh,” said Shadel, who, along with Parkinson, helps moderate the U.K.-based Facebook fan site, “Josh Krajcik to Win X Factor USA,” created by Bernard McGawley of Kent, England. McGawley was first drawn to Krajcik largely because of Lisa Pim.
“As with millions of other viewers worldwide, I was immediately taken by Pim’s panicky persona and unerring support,” said McGawley. He has since connected with Pim and looks forward to making a stop at Wooster’s The Olde Jaol on his next U.S. visit.
“I’ve approved members from Greece, South America, Brazil, Panama, and Thailand,” Sally Shadel said.
“And Amy Kwok, a happy-go-lucky girl from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” Parkinson added with a laugh.
One international supporter is Susanne Vigsř Moiras, a Krajcik fan originally from Denmark, now living on the Grecian island of Aegina. Moiras was hooked from the first time she heard Krajcik belt out Etta James’ At Last during his first audition on The X Factor USA in September.
“Rarely, if ever, has a voice gone straight to my heart and soul like Josh’s,” said Moiras. “Everything about it is amazing--the raspiness, the warmth, the soul, the range--everything.”
Moiras said that, as a Dane, she also appreciates Krajcik’s laid-back and down-to-earth qualities.
“He seems like the guy next door, like a brother or son, so approachable.”
It’s no exaggeration that Krajcik Magic is also bringing fans together from coast to coast. Sue Phillips of North Tonawanda, N.Y. might just be the east coast’s biggest fan after she caught Krajcik’s first The X Factor performance.
“I knew I was hearing history,” said Phillips. “I got goosebumps listening to this man who was everything his over-the-top proud Mom said he was.”
Phillips has ordered multiple Josh Krajcik T-shirts and calls herself a “voting beast,” forsaking all else to place as many as 1,000 calls each Wednesday night.
“I communicate regularly with a California woman I met online because of Josh,” Phillips said. “We’ve exchanged hundreds of messages.”
Sunday’s flash mob was the result of what organizers Shari de Wever and Jodi Kennedy said was a “silly comment” made on the Hometown Fans of Josh Krajcik Facebook page just two days prior.
“I thought it would be cool to have everyone gather like a flash mob, wear Josh Krajcik shirts, and play air guitar,” said Shari de Wever, Triway class of ‘92, who traveled from her home in West Akron. “It ended up turning into an unbelievable event.”
Cayden de Wever, 5, came to rock with his decked-out guitar. When asked if he thought Krajcik would win The X Factor, he responded with an enthusiastic, “Oh, yeah!”
Krajcik wasn’t the only one with fan support. Wooster’s Jacki Chamberlain proudly raised a giant sign in honor of Krajcik’s mother, declaring, “Lisa Pim Rocks!”
“She’s part of the way over 30 crowd,” said Chamberlain, “and we think she’s a rockin’ mother.”
Chamberlain said that Pim, a retired Triway teacher, was great with her students. De Wever agreed.
“I had both Bill and Lisa Pim as wonderful teachers many moons ago,” said de Wever. “Lisa was my cheer coach and made such a huge impact on my life at that critical junior high age. She inspired you and believed that you could achieve your dreams.”
“This is a great family who really deserves this,” said Chamberlain.
Pim said she and Krajcik are very happy to have come from such a supportive community. Krajcik wanted to be certain that the event was recorded so he could see it.
“I loved how many kids were cheering,” said Pim, who was also thrilled to see Santa himself rocking out to Krajcik’s rendition of the Foo Fighters’ Pretender.
“It’s amazing how we can come together,” said de Wever. “But I’m not shocked. Wooster’s just that kind of community.”
And, apparently, the world is that kind of community, too.
A video of the flash mob can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/krajcikmob.
Published: December 7, 2011
