Melissa wrote:Hard to pick one, but I would probably go with the last MR fest, lol. I got to see several bands I never got the chance to before but had wanted to hear live for so long! Growing up an AF brat and my dad getting orders and us all moving to Japan when I was in high school, I didn't get the chance in high school to see so many bands I wanted to back then. We were on Okinawa and the whole time we were there the only 2 concerts that took place were The Monkees

and Lee Greenwood. Ugh, lol. So it was awesome to get to hear some of them live finally and all in one weekend. And it'll be that way again this time! Can't wait to hear Harem Scarem most. But also like Travis mentioned, Vegas in '08 was so great too, such a fun time and great funny memories with Dean.
I love your love of the music Deb!
Definitely lots of funny memories of Dean to go around. He came to most of Jeff's shows when I was down in Cali. I remember one, mainly because of his laughing so hard he was almost doubled over. We were at the venue already and Dean comes through the door.....harmless flirt that he was he grabs his boobs and points at me. I assumed the gesture meant he wanted me to grab my boobs, so I jokingly did. LMAO! He still had a belly laugh going as he crossed the bar and gave me a big old Canadian bear hug. Haha didn't realize till after, he was gesturing that HE wanted to grab my boobs. Still makes me laugh when I think about it. I definitely miss seeing him at shows. Haven't seen Lula in ages either, glad her and lil Wy-man are doing well.
I have to agree, have met some great friends off of MR and to this day still go to shows with them when I get the chance. Have had some great fun and stellar memories to look back on. Meeting you all at MRF1 being one of them. Not to mention met some of the most down to earth musicians on the planet. Lucky enough to have met all 3 of my fave singers, Jeff, Eric and Steve. I just had a feeling Jeff and Eric would be stellar people when it came to their fans, from hearing/reading about them and from first hand experience of how geniune and down to earth they are. Perry I thought would be very good to his fans too, but wasn't as sure as he was more reclusive. But was very pleasantly surprised at just how down to earth he was and funny! Who knew he had such a great sense of humor and so free with his hugs. He hugged us hello and after chatting and some pics, he hugged us goodbye and take care. Exceptional and treasured experience, for this fan for sure!
I think the two that probably surprised me the most regarding a preconceived idea that I thought they would be like, is probably, Kip Winger and Paul Gilbert. For some reason I thought Paul would be the least talkative of the Bigs and being such a talented bugger he would, in my mind, probably be the least of the 4 to be fan friendly. Not the case at all! Paul was very talkative and friendly (ok not quite as chatty as Eric, but who is?!).
But Kip Winger was probably the biggest surprise of all. I remember being very much into Winger back in the day, but didn't follow them much after and I don't know why, but I just assumed because of how popular and great looking Kip was/is I just assumed he would have quite an ego on him and such. But he was exactly the
opposite of my preconceived idea of what he might be like to meet.
I was at a Mohegan Sun show, mainly to see special guests Eric and Jeff join Scrap Metal. Kip and the Nelsons were also special guests. Was a great show and met some great east coast MR friends; like Maria, Debbie, Maria, Mindy, great fun. If I recall I think Ed and his wife and a couple other Annex peeps were there too. After the show there was a meet and greet. I mainly stayed for the meet and greet to say hi to Jeff and Eric. Not totally skipping Kip, Mark Slaughter or the Nelsons, but probably they weren't as much on my radar. LOL! We were talking with Jeff and Eric in the line and Jeff gestured for me to come around the table to get a pic with him and Eric. I was just walking around it when one of the security guys stopped me and said 'no-one behind the table'. Arggg. I don't think Jeff was impressed either but what can you do and LOL being the polite Canadian that I am, I didn't want to hold the line up so I carried on.......and met Kip and the Nelsons etc. After when we were off to the side gabbing and getting ready to leave, Kip is gesturing at us with his finger for somebody to 'come here'. I turned and looked behind me assuming he was gesturing to somebody behind us? He laughs and points at me and starts to walk over, Maria at this time is freaking out a little going....OMG Kip's coming to get you! He grabs my hand and marches me right behind the table to Jeff and Eric in full view of security guy and grabs my camera to take some pics with them. Because of Kip I have some priceless pics with 2 of my favorite singers and thanks to Maria a couple great pics with Kip too. Kip was a really down to earth nice guy, freely chatting....asking me lots of questions about Canada, etc. I remember standing behind the table chatting, at one point with the thought running through my head.....OMG! I am actually chattin' it up with Kip, Jeff and Eric!! LOL one of those star struck moments!
Sheesh, I'm long winded today!
