Kristi_Powers's Blog

Yes I went to 3 of the 4 nights of this rock fest! I had to leave early on Saturday ... I got a message from work that I had to be in at 2am (instead of 7am) to cover Gustav. I was beginning to think Gustav was going to ruin my Monday RTB with Bret Michaels, Twisted Sister, and Kix.

I did not go on Sunday. I wanted to go, but I knew I had a long day at work with Gustav hitting on Monday.

All weekend, I kept trying NOT to get my hopes up about meeting Bret Michaels ... I'll confess ... he was my teenage crush for years and years. I still like him - probably always will. I had a feeling Gustav coverage was going to ruin my chance of meeting him.

First, let's get to Saturday's shows and rocker run-in's ... I saw the end of Enuff Z'nuff ... Great White ... and a little of Dokken. I missed the Lita Ford and Blacklist Union (an up and coming band out of Hollywood) concerts because I had to go home and get to bed. All the bands I saw sounded great.

I was really excited about seeing Great White ... I love this rock band with a bluesy sound. I took pictures down front for the first 2 songs and then headed up to the side of the stage to take more. Had a blast! The lead singer and keyboardist/guitarist posed for pictures for me. It was cool to see Michael Lardies set list and guitar changes. I watched his roadie tune up the guitars, clean the harmonica, and check the keyboard. I became friends with the professional photographer (Jamie Miller) hired by Rock the Bayou to photograph the entire event. At one point, he said, "Give me your camera and I'll take a picture of you side stage." I said - OK. The guitarist came over and was playing behind me, taking pictures!!! Jamie has those pictures, I can't wait to see them (and the suprise on my face when I figured out what was going on)! When I get them, I'll post them. After the show, I caught up with the guys backstage and took pictures and got them to sign a CD cover. The guitarist said a had a nice smile and the drummer thought I looked like someone they knew (he said it was a good thing)! Really nice, laid back, & down to earth guys!

On to the meet and greet's ... Lita Ford's was lame compared to the other bands. We were disappointed. She walked in, sat down for a minute or two, and didn't allow anybody to come up and take pictures or sign anything. After her minutes were up, she left. She did look good for her age.

We caught up with Blacklist Union in the press tent too. These guys just look like rockstars. All band members were cool. Once I told them I did the weather, they wanted to know about the hurricane and if was going to rain here or not and what I did all day at work. They gave me a CD and we took a quick picture. They asked if I was going to watch their concert, I had to say no because I had to go to bed with Gustav (I felt bad) - maybe I'll catch them in LA. Viper Room/Whiskey ... here I come! The majority of the band members liked "Wicked Love Song" from their CD. I'll try to play it one of these days on the air.  And Ambre (from Rock of Love) was there, apparently with the lead singer ... I guess her and Bret Michaels are no more.

After I finised an eleven hour shift working Gustav ... I took an hour nap and got up and got ready to go rock again! This time we were looking to see KIX, Twisted Sister, and Bret Michaels. Again, all bands sounded good and played all their big hits.

I ran into KIX in the press tent ... these guys were funny. They let me take a picture with the band right after they finished up their XM radio interview. One of my friends knocked on their tour bus door (during the madness of Bret Michaels about to take the stage), and the lead singer of KIX opened the door and he got to chat with the band for a little while .. in the tour bus!!! How cool is that?

I almost missed Dee Snider (Twisted Sister lead singer) at the meet and greet. I had an opportunity to interview him, but my photographer wasn't finished working Gustav coverage yet (darn it)! They introduced me as FOX Weather ... he immediately said, "What the he#* is up with this hurricane? He gave me a hard time about it. I told him I was trying to keep it away - I didn't want it ruining my Rock the Bayou weekend! He said, "Spoken like a true rocker." He took a quick picture and then he was off for crazy makeup! They put on the best show!!! And they let the press stay down in the front as long as we wanted! Very cool! I wish I could've interviewed him, but it was on to my next challenge, interviewing Bret Michaels.

Bret Michaels did not do a meet and greet. I ran into his bodyguard (Big John, who you might know from the Rock of Love Show) and his said he was fighting laryngitis and was sleeping and would not do the meet and greet or an interview. I was so bummed. My attitude changed quickly just before he took the stage. My photographer, Raymond, and I were waiting for him to make his way to the stage. I had a moment where I thought, 'I don't know what to say to him ... and ... don't say anything stupid.' But as soon as I saw him, I was fine - I had a goal. I yelled to Bret (we were far away) to see if we could ask a few questions. He said yes and motioned us over!!! I asked him a couple of questions, took a quick picture and off he went to take the stage. I happened so fast, I didn't have time to get nervous ... until afterward! I took a few pictures up front and then hung out with my friends/hubby who were 3rd row for the rest of the concert.