I have tickets to 3 upcoming local concerts. Bret Michaels will be at Keyster's. Black Label Society and Black Stone Cherry are playing the ValAir Ballroom. Guns N Roses will be in Ames. Three great upcoming shows! That will put my yearly total at 18, which is one shy of last year's 19. I'm sure there may be another one or two to tie or put me over.
Out of the three, I'm most anxious for the one this Saturday. I get to take my woman to see Bret Michaels. He's being backed by Evick, a great band from back east. As a few previous posts will show, I was fortunate enough to meet Evick on two occasions while backing Bret Michaels. Evick performed with Bret at Waterstock Rock 2005 and I got to meet and hang with the guys at the dividing fence after the show. Pete, Ray, and Chuck were as cool as could be signing things and telling stories of the road. Pete Evick is a Metal Sludge fan and we talked about that website for a while. Later that year I caught the Bret Michaels show in Davenport, IA, and again Evick was backing Bret. I peeked into the window while Evick was soundchecking and Pete saw me and motioned me to come inside. After the show, we all hung out. My roommates, Steph, and I were just having a blast visiting with Evick, Big John, and even meeting Bret Michaels to get a picture and autograph. We took a group photo that night with everyone except Bret to publish on Metal Sludge to put some rumors about Big John's employment to rest. They were truly one big happy and fun family on the road. I tried earlier this year to get Pete Evick in touch with anyone and everyone about getting Evick on Waterstock 2006, but it fell through or didn't work out. I knew Bret would be there with Poison and it just seemed right that Evick should be on that bill this year, too. I hope they get on this next year.
I've been fortunate enough to meet Bret Michaels on two occasions. Steph was kind enough to help me get to meet Bret in Cedar Rapids in 2004 at 3rd Street Live. I was part of the first small group (all women except me) to get on Bret's bus for a short meet and greet after his show. He was very gracious and funny and even though he didn't have to, he asked me what my daughter's names were when I mentioned that they loved his song Raine and enjoyed the video. The second time I met Bret was in Davenport and it was just a brief spot in line for a picture on the steps of his bus. The really cool thing was that I mentioned I was anxious to hear Menace To Society from his CD Songs Of Life. He started into a verse and I joined him for a couple lines. He looked at me and said, "Yea, you got it." I actually sang with the guy I grew up seeing on MTV for about two lines of a song! Now that's cool!
With my ticket for Saturday night's show, I am supposed to be able to meet Bret and the guys from Evick before the show. I've e-mailed Pete to let him know I will be there. It will be great to see the guys again and welcome them to Des Moines for what could be the first of many times. It even looks like this show may have already sold out and they just announced it at the LA Guns show last Saturday.
I've heard stories and rumors posted online about Bret Michaels. Some are completely idiotic, but most have a very common theme. This is a guy who loves to play music live and he's always gracious to those he meets. I've seen this up close in two very small encounters and can see why this guy is still at it.
Poison was my rebellion as a kid and seems to be that as an adult. I was struck by the guitar and attitude of Talk Dirty To Me the first time I saw it on MTV and have followed the band ever since. Being a singer, my favorite of the 4 was always the guy who has the same name as me. Bret has a lifelong battle with diabetes and in spite of that has been rockin' and rollin' for over 20 years. To keep doing what you love at the level he does says something about what you love and what you are capable of. Bret is still drawing a crowd doing Poison tunes, solo CD tunes, and even a few covers.
Check out the bands I've listed in the Upcoming Shows area. Tell me what you thought. Most of all, support the artists who are doing this. They need us as much as we need them.
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