Ok I just got back from my 4 1/2 hr drive from Philly....I got there yesterday and spent the night and went to the biggest mall on the east coast for this book signing....No idea what to expect.

I got there at 8 am got my ticket then went back to my hotel and came back around 11:30am. Not too many people in line but I got in line and got served cookies and water! Then the line started moving and within 20 minutes I was infront of the store and could look in and see Trisha, Beth and Mrs. Yearwood(couldnt call her Gwen!) Well the store said no photos but I brought my camera just in case. And when I was a few people away from Trisha I introduced myself to Jarrah and told her I really appreciate how awseome she is and they way she does meet and greets as well as Trisha, especially after some sour experinces with other stars! And she thought that was really sweet I said that and she was suprised I knew her name lol. I also told her my first meet and greet was 1995! Then when it was my turn to get my book signed I walked up to Trisha and Jarrah took my camera for me(just like at the concerts) and told Trisha I have been coming to her shows since 1995 and I forget Trisha's reaction because all I remember was Mrs. Yearwood's jaw dropping lol. She was suprised she said I was too young lol. I also told her I loved when she was Fan Club President because her newsletters were great and she said "I Know werent they awseome!" when you meet her mom everything about Trisha's personality is seen in her! I told Beth I remembered when she was Trisha's date to the 1998 ACM Awards and she was suprised by that and I mentioned how great the CMT Homecoming special was. Trisha was very sweet and talkative and asked how long of a drive I had, again Mrs.Gwen's jaw dropped lol. And Beth asked me how traffic was lol. Trisha signed a copy of the book for me, a friend, and my grandma, I told her my grandma loved XXXs and OOOs so Trisha signed it "To Thelma, XOXO Trisha Yearwood" then Beth and Mrs. Gwen signed as well. For mine Trisha wrote "Hi Cory!! Love Trisha Yearwood" She was just as sweet as in a meet and greet but you had more time. After I got my book signed I got to stand right behind Jarrah and watch Trisha and co talk to everyone and a group of long time fans that Trisha recognized the second they walked in She jumped up and hugged them and Trisha explained that they had been fans since 1992 and have come to over a hundred shows. Thats when Mrs. Gwen pointed at me and said "He has been coming to her shows since he was 5 years old!!!" I almost passed out lol. Then the coolest part Trisha came out with everyone to the kitchen area to try her soup and was standing right next to me and some other people and commented how the cook did it right lol. And she turned to me and the lady next to me and said this is the size spoon I need!(it was extra small)

Again Trisha has always been down to earth but this time seemed extra special I love every second of it! And still cant get over I spent nearly two hours standing with Trisha!!!!!

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing that. It sounded so awesome. I am jealous of you! Trisha's the best! I can't wait to get my cookbook--I preordered it and am anxiously waiting for it to arrive.

Seriously it was nearly a 2 hr meet and greet with Trisha. They let us stand right infront of her table while others got their books signed. One guy got 8 books signed!!!!

And now that I know what to expect, if I could take the time off work and had enough money, I would drive 8 hrs to Nashville for another signing. It was that good!

Plus I met some really nice people there, no suprise.....If Laurie is lurking on the boards, HI! haha

Hi,

Thanks for that awesome report from the booksigning! Can you tell me how long you stood in line to get a ticket or book in the morning? Just trying to decide how early I need to get there to get our ticket for the Georgia booksigning. It sounded wonderful!

Robin

OK Cory, I'm officially jealous!! Glad you had such a fabulous experience with all three Yearwood ladies. Mrs. Yearwood is the best. (I too couldn't call her Gwen when I got to meet her backstage once while waiting on Trisha for a meet and greet.) Sounds like they are having a great time doing this project together. Miss Gwen sounds too cute when she was amazed about you going to shows since you were five and had such a long drive just to go to the booksigning. Very cool! Share pics when you can!

I didn't get to the post office today, but hopefully my cookbook arrived.

That's awesome Cory! I suppose that awesome Yearwood Women moment was well worth your drive!

Hey Cori, VERY, Very COOL! I'm so happy for you! I totally agree with you, meeting Gwen, Jack and Beth is definately among some of my fondest memories! They are so sweet, and kind, and yes, you definately see where Trisha gets it from!I'm glad that you had such an AWESOME Experience! Are you still on Cloud 9?! Standing there just talking to her for that long and hanging out, sounds alittle bit like my experience at Sound and Speed when she was with Kevin Harvey...I'm glad you made the drive, and were able to really talk to her, and her family, and Jarrah to(isn't she just the greatest!)...if you do decide to drive to Nashville, HAVE FUN! I bet you'd definately get some special attention if she saw you again!!
I wish she were coming somewhere closer to me...for all of you that have the chance to go, it sounds like you Don't want to pass up this wonderful opportunity! HAVE FUN!!!

I am still on cloud 9....as for getting there early I got there at 8am and there was a small group of people so I we all just walked in and out. And at 1pm people were just coming in and buying the book and getting in line. All 300 tickets didnt sell out. Which at first I was kinda bummed, but Trisha gave us more time! Call the bookstore they can tell you what to expect!

That's fantastic Corey--I'm so, so happy for you!!!

Thanks Corey for your answer! I called the bookstore again this morning to make sure nothing had changed. It is a two hour drive for us. I think we are going to go up tonight as they sale the book in the morning at 9:00 and then the signing is at 7 that night. I have never met Trisha and I am so nervous. I have no idea what to say. I will take it as it comes. When we get home I will let everyone know how it went.

Robin

Hi Robin, Have a Great Time!! And relax, lol, I know, it seems impossible, but when you meet her, you'll understand...Trisha is just so awesome, and once you're in front of her, and she gives you that Beautiful Trisha smile and says Hi, it's not like meeting a star, it's like being with a friend! She immediately puts you at ease, and you just start talking...Enjoy it! I can't wait to hear about it!

Thanks for telling us all about your book signing Corey! What a great story! Loved it! And Robin, have fun! Trisha is so down to earth and wonderful to talk to. Just enjoy it all! Thanks again for sharing!

anyone know if I am allowed to post a link to photobucket? I have over 20 pictures and I dont want to resize all the ones I want to show, So I posted a link to all the photos in my profile, just click view my website

Rock on Cory! Awesome pics!! Looks like you and the three Yearwood ladies were having too much fun. Love how Trisha and Beth almost match LOL! Very cool. Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks for sharing your experience Cory! It was great reading it.

Thanks Cory! If I would have had off work, I would've been there. I'm very jealous of you, but I'm so glad you had such a great time and were kind enough to share your experience.

Robin-Trust me...when you see her and hear her voice (just speaking), you will instantly become calm. She has this amazing ability to make you feel like you're chatting with your best friend. She's really amazing and you will have such a wonderful time.

HI Cory! You caught me! I decided to give up lurking and register. Glad you got home safe. I had such a great time at the signing. Now I am busy looking through my cookbook and deciding what to make first.

Hey Cory
I am so jealous. I found out too late to make plans. Glad you had a fantastic time.
Your pictures are great. What a nice memory of the day.
Thanks for retelling your adventures.
Take care,

Frank

Cory, thanks for posting the pics. WOW, Beth looks just like her sister! and Mrs. Yearwood is such a beautiful woman, looks like they were having a lot of fun.

Stay well,
Carrie

Hi Laurie! I was hoping you would register! Me and Laurie were next to each other in line the whole time! It was really fun! You have to post some of your pictures when you get a chance!