Ride the Wind to a Bret Michaels Show

Once upon a time, there was a wee girl, we'll call her "Erica," that lived that lived in somewhat magical place called Chicago. The wee girl loved to go concerting (yes, I decided that's a real word) with her friends, in particular, the Fair Maiden, Kate. Over time, Erica's nemesis, the Evil Economy, grew so bad, that Erica and her family had to move to a faraway place for her and her husband to find work. Erica and the Fair Maiden Kate were sad that they couldn't "concert" like they used to, and sadder still that they had not seen a Bret Michaels show together. It just so happened at Christmastime when Erica and her family were traveling back to Chicago, that Erica received a very special phone call from the Fair Maiden Kate. Here, boys and girls, is where Erica and Kate's fairytale begins. . . .

Kate: Hey, Bret Michaels is going to be in Arlington Heights Friday night. I know you have an eight hour drive in that day, but if you think you can make it in time, I'll drive us both to the show.

Erica: Seriously? Count me in. I'll make sure I'm there.

Now fortunately, Erica's family were very good sports about the long eight hour drive ahead of them, and hardly stopped at all to eat or use the "facilities" on the road. And so it happened that Erica and her family made it to Chicago in record time. Unfortunately, by the time Erica and her family made it to Chicago there was quite a bit of snow raining down from the heavens. AND Erica had promised her eldest son that she would drop him off at his best friend's house on the way to dearest Kate's house, so the by the time Erica and Kate made it to Arlington Heights, Erica had been on the road for 12 long hours that day.

But this was a long overdue GNO with KATE and a Bret Michaels show to boot, so--don't be shy, sing it with me. . .

Ain't no mountain high enough,
Ain't no valley low enough,
Ain't no river wide enough,
To keep me from getting to you babe!

As I said, after braving a blizzard, Kate and I arrived at the venue. Even though we arrived right before the opening band, there was still plenty of room left toward the front. I think the bad weather worked to our advantage. Kate and I were fortunate enough to score third row standing room in front of the stage.

In no time at all, the lights dimmed and Guns N Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" began to play on the house system. (I read recently that "Welcome to the Jungle" is one of  Bret Michaels' favorite songs from the '80s.) As "Welcome to the Jungle" was coming to a close, Bret Michaels answered the call of his screaming fans when he burst on to the stage with long time Poison favorite, "Talk Dirty To Me." Bret continued with many Poison hits, including, "Every Rose Has its Thorn," "Unskinny Bop," and "Look What the Cat Dragged In." Kate and I were both oh-so hoping to hear "Ride the Wind" and were DELIGHTED when Bret announced he'd be playing that song. Here is a short video I shot of "Ride the Wind." And do please pardon the poor video quality. It is an IMPOSSIBLE task to hold still for the video while Bret is so very close on the stage!

At one point in the show, Bret Michaels called to the stage anyone who is or was in the armed forces. Bret explained that many in his family have served in the military. He implored the audience to support current and former military members, regardless of what side of the political fence one might lie on. After shaking hands with all of the vets that had joined him on stage, Bret Michaels performed a heartfelt version of "Something To Believe In."

The highlight of the show for both Kate and I came during Poison's hit "Nothin' But A Good Time." Bret Michaels had made his way over to our side of the stage and was reaching out into the audience when he grabbed hold of Kate's hand and gave it a good squeeze. Yay, Kate! SCORE! Then he immediately reached out and grabbed my hand with a lingered hold! *Giggles*

To wrap up the show, Bret Michaels invited Warrant's front man, Robert Mason, to the stage to help sing "Your Mama Don't Dance" or was it "Rock and Roll All Night?" Hmm. . . it's hard to remember. . . (Forgetfulness. Forgetfulness, friends, is what happens when you're a mom of three and don't have the time to immediately blog after a show.) Anyhow, the point is, both Bret Michaels and Robert Mason were on stage. Together. Kate and I were in the third row. I'm having a moment here. *Dreamily sighs*

The show ended and audience members were encouraged to buy the few remaining backstage VIP passes, along with the announcement that all of the proceeds from the VIP passes for that show would be going to a wounded veteran charity. I truly believe that Bret Michaels VIP passes are worth every penny. And I love the idea that the proceeds were going to such worthy cause. Unfortunately, I didn't happen to be operating on a VIP budget, especially that close to Christmas.

All my rocker buddies know my top two bucket list items are to meet Jon Bon Jovi and also to meet Bret Michaels. I told concert buddy Kate that I have wanted to meet Bret Michaels since 1986 and I felt like it was my lucky day, VIP pass or not. Kate decided she couldn't argue with that so we hopped in her car and headed to the back of the venue to try to scope out his tour bus. As you can imagine, we weren't the only girls with the old "hang-out-by-the-tour-bus" idea. Many girls were parked in their cars peering at the tour bus, or driving slowly by the tour bus, or the old groupie standby of waiting outside by the tour bus in the freezing cold. It was about 20 degrees and dropping. And windy. And snowing. This was Chicago after all.

Kate and I had to park a good distance away because there was such a slew of girls parked near the tour bus hoping for a glimpse of Bret. Then all the "cray cray" girls started coming out of the woodwork. You know, those girls that try to get on the tour bus uninvited? And I do use the term "girls" loosely. I'm talking women in their early forties through about their late fifties. May I just take a minute air out my grievance? Dear women my age and older, just because something was cute, funny and acceptable in your teens, does not make it OK now. Please DO show a little respect for yourself and for Bret Michaels. Please try to grasp that the tour bus is his HOME on the road. It is in no way OK to peer in the tour bus windows, or to knock on the door, or worst of all, to just try to OPEN the door and let yourself in.

Fortunately, Bret has a good security team that was partnering with police protection that night, and all such "cray cray" girls were promptly escorted out and forced to leave. And after one too many flaky groupies, the security/police started going up and down the alley asking all of the girls waiting in cars to leave as well. Kate and I thought, "Oh, well. It was a good try anyway," but since we had to park so far away, the security/police never came to Kate's car and asked us to leave! Yay! I told you it was my lucky night.

After a good couple hours (yes, I did say a couple hours), Kate and I decided to park her car closer to the tour bus. I told Kate that it couldn't be much longer until Bret came out, and I was going to try to wait outside. She told me that I was nuts because it was FREEZING outside, and because there were was a security guard and roadie stationed outside the tour bus. But I told her it was my lucky night, and everything would be OK.

I strolled right up to the security guard and roadie and asked if I could wait by the tour bus. The roadie intensely replied that only those that had purchased a VIP ticket could meet Bret. I cheerily responded, "OK. I understand. So can I stand here and wait by the tour bus?" He said, "Lady, I don't care what you do." I thanked them both and stood a few feet away from the tour bus for about 15 minutes. Unfortunately, I was no match for the cold, and had to retreat to to the car for some much need warmth. However, while waiting by the tour bus, I could clearly see the room where the VIP party was being held, and so I knew from which direction Bret Michaels would approach his bus.

After waiting at least another 45 minutes, we saw Bret and his entourage of about 12 security guards and roadies all emerge from the VIP room and head toward the bus. I quickly hopped out of Kate's car and called Bret's name while cautiously approaching Bret and his crew. A very big and stern security guard was instantly in front of me with his hand held out toward my face and told me to stop. I stopped immediately and held my hands up in the  "surrender" position to let him know I meant no harm.

Bret had heard me call his name and saw his security guard stop me. He called out to his security guard and in the most welcoming voice said, "Let them come. Let them come." (My husband at this point in the story likes to say, "What is Bret Michaels Jesus now? "Let this little children come unto me." LOL!) All smiles, I walked up to Bret, who said in the most pleasant manner, "Come here, honey. Do you just want a picture with me?" (YES! YES, that ALL I WANT! THANK YOU Bret Michaels for understanding your fans!) I replied yes to Bret, and he asked for my phone. I handed him my iPhone and he worked my iPhone for me, pulling up the camera, and then held out my camera in his hand to take a selfie with me. When he saw how dark it was he said to his security guards, "I need a spotlight here." A security guard held up his flashlight as a spotlight for us and Bret snapped the picture of us together. Then Bret gave me a hug (MAN! HE SMELLED GOOD!) and a kiss on the cheek and said, "I love you. Thanks for coming to the show." Aw, Bret! I'm melting!

At this point Bret noticed that Kate was halted in the back with the security guards who had not let her come through. Bret said to his security, "I said let them come." Kate came forward and Bret also took a selfie with Kate using her iPhone. He also gave her a hug, kiss on the cheek, and a heartfelt, "I love you. Thanks for coming to the show."

We both could have died happily right there. But it gets better. Bret turned to us and excitedly remarked, "I saw you in the crowd. Did you see me see you in the crowd?" OMG! YES! We saw you see us in the crowd! Could this moment get any more awesome? He wished us a Merry Christmas, thanked us both again for coming to the show, and went on his way.

Oh man! What a glorious few short minutes this was! I fully acknowledge that Bret Michaels did not have to stop and take time with us after a full show and VIP party. I am so grateful for his kindness.

Thank you ever so much, Bret Michaels, for your goodness and graciousness to your fans! You made this fan's THIRTY year long dream come true, and I will be forever grateful!

Forever Fangirling,
Erica Basile