Thread by @MJJRepository

POSITIVITY: It's been an entire year since opportunists rekindled their crusade to ruin MJ's legacy for fortune and fame.

I want to reflect on my experience of recently attending one of many sold out MJ tribute shows across the nation as a cross-section of MJ's public reception.

It is easy to misjudge the public's reaction toward MJ when #MJFam becomes so engrossed by every drip of news & tabloid sleaze that hits, while most people pay no attention to it.

My encounters after a year of media hysteria has reaffirmed that MJ's legacy is not going anywhere.

Michael Firestone's "I Am King" is one of the popular tribute shows that kicked off this year. Mr. Firestone met MJ in 2002, featured Jennifer Batten in some concerts & appeared at numerous fan conventions.

His concerts are a model example of what all tribute shows should be.

I attended one of Firestone's midwest tours this month. The 1,200 capacity venue had sold out more than two months in advance, which I was told was an unusual occurrence for the theater.

People filled the sidewalk and then the interior up to 90 minutes before the doors opened.

Prior to the event, I checked out some neighboring stores. At Hot Topic, a mother and son were busy checking out the MJ shirts to see what was available in their sizes.

This particular store had four designs in stock including 2 on display (Thriller, Bad, Smooth Criminal, BoW).

At the venue, it was exciting to see such diversity in the crowd—from children to the elderly. I saw one with an "I ♥ MJ" handbag, several in Thriller jackets & hoodies, many t-shirts and children + adults in full attire complete w/ fedoras and sequined gloves. It was endearing.

Once seated, everyone was reading the promotional flyer with a lot of chatter about which songs were their favorites.

In all of the conversations overheard in the 90 minutes before showtime, I didn't hear a single controversial topic raised. Everyone was celebrating MJ's legacy.

For the introduction, a host of a regional radio station that sponsored the concert appeared. He was proud to explain that they play MJ music every day, would be dedicating several shows toward his music the next morning and how it represents "the greatest music on the planet!"😎

The show opened with MJ's image materializing on screen & moonwalking across the sky to a round of applause. This immediately followed by the MJ Innocent graphic (a welcomed surprise) and MJ quotes.

The crowd cheered as MJ's unmatched awards & achievements rolled out on screen.

The concert offered a great balance of reminding the crowd of the legend himself, while also paying homage to him.

MJ's image and voice were featured throughout the various interludes and backdrops, from 1969 (Ed Sullivan) through 2009 (TII). Always to an ecstatic audience.

Mr. Firestone was also great at engaging audience participation. Throughout the concert the audience was on their feet dancing & singing along to MJ's hits including We Are the World, Beat It, Black or White. He walked up and down the aisles as the crowd roared to be part of it.

MJ's spoken "Planet Earth" poem juxtaposed with footage of our planet and "Heal the World" played during one interlude. I found it heartwarming to see MJ's prophetic & forward-thinking humanitarian messages spreading to new generations.

MJ would be very proud of this inclusion.

Michael Firestone's actual performances were very entertaining and passionate. He performed more than two dozen songs live spanning much of MJ's discography from the Jackson 5 days on.

Every time he performed any of MJ's signature moves the crowd naturally erupted in applause.

At the end of the event, a line spanning the length of the facility formed to buy merchandise & meet Michael. There was a table of merchandise available including MJ-inspired pillows (Heal the World and Dangerous-themed), clothing & more. The merchandise quickly sold-out.

Despite the failed naysayers, 2019 saw a massive increase to MJ's music streams. Millions of new subscribers and fans across all platforms.

Official shows & tribute concerts are always in high demand. Legions of new fans are discovering MJ every day. MJ's legacy is timeless. ♥