Yaminfluenza!* Catch it!

Forget McPheever! Richmond’s got a raging case of Yaminfluenza!

After Wednesday night’s “American Idol” stunner in which Chris Daughtry was sent home, a more subtle shock has jolted Richmond. Elliott just might win this thing. I think we’ve all been saying, “Isn’t it so great he’s gotten this far?” and now we are truly starting to think he could go all the way.

Elliott’s back in town today for a bunch of appearances at Q94, Lite 98 and Power 92.1 (where he used to work). Then he’ll sing a song at the James Center between 12 and 12:30 p.m., and drive up Boulevard in a convertible with cheering fans lining the street at 4. Tonight at the Diamond, he signs autographs for fans at 6 p.m. (gates open at 5).

This must be pretty heady stuff for the guy who used to wear a Westbury Pharmacy vest and point out to little old ladies where the durable medical supplies were. It is perhaps a universal dream -- and I don’t even mean the “American Idol” level of fame and fortune -- but returning to the place you grew up, where you went to school, suffered all your humiliations and rejections, made your best friends, worked your good jobs and bad as a hero.

I hope this day is magical for Elliott. He may not win it all (although now with Chris out of the way …) but today could go down as one of the greatest days of his life. I hope he drinks in every second as slowly as possible.

*Hey, look. It's the best I could do with the name.