Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog

Let me start by saying there is nothing better than front row at any concert. I have been lucky enough to sit front row for some, lets say, laid back shows. BUT this was to be the first ROCK show in the front row.

When we arrived Margi and I were more than pumped. Just knowing that we did not have to try and sneak up front nor sit a mile away! Then the thought of possibly meeting the band was overwhelming to say the least.

We headed in before Cinderella hit the stage, and found our seats. It wasn’t hard to do – we just had to walk to the front! We planted ourselves and waited for the show to begin. Cinderella is not my kind of band but Margi was singing along like no tomorrow. I found myself watching the “real” groupies and photographers on side stage, trying to figure out how I could get one of those jobs!

A few people made their way toward the front to stand behind us and we let it pass - it was only Cinderella. One couple with nice cameras offered us $100 for our seats. “Uhh.. Hell no.” I love money but now we all know where my priorities are when it comes to rock n roll. During Cinderella’s encore song we hit the stairs for a smoke and refill of our adult beverages. Outside we talked to some friends from westWayne, and met up with our group. Knowing we’d be inside for a while, we smoked and smoked…smoked and smoked.

OKAY, back in and to the seats we go. Ready, set, come on Poison! Why are all bands late?

The lights went down and the drums banged out the first beat! HOLY SHIT we are close! My hair is moving to the bass drum and my feet to the rest.

Here comes Bret on stage, man is he hot! They started off with “Nothin’ But a Good Time” and then proceeded to do all the popular songs from 1986-1996. This means “AGAIN.” For the last ten years, every concert is the same song list. I never get to hear anything from Crack a Smile - nothing from this millennium!

Dammit man, I’m in the very front and still find something to complain about. Nonetheless I’m still very giddy. Somehow Aunt Kat found her way to our seats for about 4 songs and then off she went. That was fun and I’m glad she still has it in her to sneak up front! The couple that offered us $100 now offered $20 to just stand beside us. We didn’t want the $20, but made a deal to let ‘em stand there if they promise to send some of the photos to Sticks of Fire.  The deal was made (but we haven’t gotten the pictures, dammit man), so on with the show. Some drunken chicks make their way up and security got on them quickly. CC DeVille blew me a kiss, Bobby winked and pointed at us, and Bret just kept looking down in our direction. We don’t want the music to stop, but here comes the confetti, meaning the show is over. No encore. But OUR encore is about to start…backstage.

Margi and I had our instructions in hand and headed to section 101 to meet Boners Kara and Sara for further instructions. Well, so were about 80 other Poison fans. While we hung out at the bottom of the stairs the crews began to clean everything up. Chairs were being folded and confetti swept. The roadies already had the drums packed away and speakers were being rolled off the stage. WOW they are fast.

Then Roddie, the roadie (heh) starting yelling at everyone to sit down on the right side, we were on the left with the winners of 101.5’s Party Like a Rock Star contest. Those people had lost the guy that actually won that contest, but his peeps were going on backstage without him. Kara and Sara told us to wait, and we noticed most everyone else had green passes, and we had nothing. They assured us we would get ours (it’s in the scrapbook now!). Then they took back several groups while informing everyone that we wouldn’t be able to meet the entire band - too many people. Poison was leaving for West Palm right after the meet and greets and needed to hit the road. “Shit,” I wondered. “Which one will we meet?”

Our group was taken last and we were walked around the stage and out the back doors. We all lined up along the side of a tour bus (CC’s? Bobby? Bret????). Roddie wouldn’t say. We had listened to Poison for 90 minutes, and waited inside for another 20. We both have to pee but there is no way I’m leaving the line. After another 20 minutes, Roddie came out of the bus with 8×5 glossy pics of… Yep, Bret Michaels. The glossy pics could be purchased for only $5 and of course, Bret would sign them. Woo Hoo! I bought a concert shirt for him to sign, and don’t need any glossy photos, but am happy to hear we will be meeting hottie Bret Michaels.

Margi and I are first in line to go in but we had to wait another 10 minutes or so!! Finally, the doors opened suddenly, and Margi is told to go in and right there at the front of the bus is Bret! With way too much make up. Didn’t matter. I was beside myself, there is Bret - the man I have wanted to meet for 20 years. Margi is sitting on his lap, and trying to say something to me, but I can’t really pay attention. Oh. Oh yeah… She wants me to take the picture. Duh. So I did. She got her autograph and a kiss on her cheek as she requested. Now it’s my turn.

I go up and sit on his lap and say “This is like Santa!” Bret replied, “Yes, I’m the Santa of Rock N Roll.” Roddie the roadie (heh) was kind enough to take a photo with my camera, because Margi is now bouncing around the side of the bus somewhere – likely in Heaven. Bret says he likes my shirt and my only response is to say “I borrowed it.” Dumb, dumb, dumb. But then Bret says “I saw you in the front row and really liked the shirt.” This time my reply is “Thanks.” Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Bret Frickin’ Michaels takes notice of me and gives me a compliment, and all I can come up with is “Thanks!” Most of you would have been much smarter, but not me. I froze. Still being frozen, I just asked him to sign my concert t-shirt and he said he would love to, and asks me to hold it out flat for him. I did and he went to work on it. I started to pick it up and he tells me he is not done yet. Dumb, dumb, you know the rest. Well, he finished his autograph, and tells me that he hopes to see me again in the front row at the next Tampa show. Shit. He doesn’t know what I did to get these tickets. I told him I would try and then I tell him to have a great show in West Palm.

Now we all know that I am a happily married lady. Even though it was dumb, this turned out exactly how it should have. But, dammit man!

Then Margi and I walk off like to school girls laughing, giggling and going over what had just happened over and over again! What a great time!

Anyone know when they are coming back?

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