HARTFORD--"American Idol" winner Nick Fradiani, alongside his band Beach Avenue, sang his first Connecticut concert post-win on Wednesday afternoon.
The performance was private – only fans who won tickets by entering an online sweepstakes or calling in to 96.5 TIC were able to attend. It was held at the Russian Lady in Hartford.
Danielle Formica recalled that she was screaming and jumping up and down when she found out she won admittance.
"He's really good. He's really cute. He looks like a really great guy," said Formica.
North Branford's Ashley Perone said she followed Fradiani during every step of his "Idol" journey.
"He represents Connecticut and everything it stands for so that's really great," she said.
Fradiani sang "Bright Lights," which he rocked on the show, as well as his band's original song "Coming Your Way," and his first single, "Beautiful Life."
Jeff Kaine of Somers remembers Fradiani from the old days, playing at Connecticut venues with Beach Avenue.
"Some bars down in North Haven and Hamden, Connecticut and of course at Mohegan Sun," said Kaine. "Great band. I knew that -- I knew that he had the star power. I’ve been backing him all along. You know, everyone says they’re the number one fan but my wife would tell you, for sure, I’m the number one fan."
That nostalgia wasn't lost on Fradiani himself.
"I used to play at City Steam down the street, every Friday and I would play all these different bars in Connecticut and that's kind of what this is right now. Just gonna be hanging in a bar, playing music so I feel like completely at home right now," Fradiani said.
The singer belted multiple extra, unplanned songs to his hometown fans after his set ended.
You can also catch Nick on Fox CT Thursday morning on the Morning Extra between 9 and 10 a.m.
