I'm Kathy from New Jersey, USA!

   I have been a huge fan of Bon Jovi since 1983, when the band played at my
   college in upstate New York, USA, opening up for Eddie Money.  I've seen
   them about 40 times, in bars, at VH1 Storytellers, huge arenas, etc. 

   On May 10, 2001, Bon Jovi came to the Saturday Night Live/NBC studio for the
   sound check for their upcoming Saturday Night Live performance on May 12.  I
   had been trying to get tickets for the Saturday Night Live show for about
   two weeks prior, with no luck.  I have an excellent connection with a New
   York producer who got me into VH1 Storytellers in October, 2000.  Anyway, a
   close and cherished relative happens to be an electrical contractor who does
   all the electrical work in Rockefeller Center and told me about the sound
   check.  I met my relative and arrived at the studio at about 1:00, the sound
   check was scheduled for 2:00.  I was freaking out but remained calm!  There
   I was, standing right next to the stage, with all the guitars and
   instruments ready to go.  We hung out for a few minutes and then all of a
   sudden, there was Richie about 20 feet away, having a soda!  I wanted to go
   talk to him but was frozen!  Richie walked away so I moved towards a back
   hallway where food and drinks were set up for the band and crew.  In a few
   more minutes, Tico came by to get a cup of coffee and I just went up and
   started talking to him, telling him how much I loved the band and how long I
   have been a huge fan.  Tico was very nice and thanked me.  Soon after, Jon
   arrived and went directly into the "green room".  I think that the band was
   all in there having their picture taken.  Jon was wearing an orange shirt,
   blue jeans, and a cowboy hat.  I didn't see him right away, my relative did.
 

   In a few more minutes, the band walked out of the room and into the studio.
   We followed behind them.  They went to the stage and sang two songs, each
   twice (It's My Life and Bad Name).  I was standing about 20 feet from the
   stage, with absolutely NOBODY in front of me or around me except for a
   camera guy.  There were about 20 people in the whole studio at this time,
   all working!!  I was the only "fan" and it was like a private concert just
   for me!!! It was amazing.  When the sound check was finished, the band
   walked off the stage.  Jon, Richie and David were standing there and some
   other guy came up and started talking to them for a minute.  The guy then
   walked away and it was back to Jon, Richie and David, just standing there.
   Now was my chance.   I walked over to the three of them and touched Jon's
   arm and just started talking to him, actually telling him the speech I have
   practiced in my head for about 10 years in case I ever got the chance to
   actually talk to him!  I felt bad because Richie and David just kind of
   walked away!  I told Jon that I've loved the band for 17 years, saw him at
   my college, blah blah blah, and he was just smiling and said "really?
   Thanks a lot, that's nice of you to say".  I kind of did all the talking and
   he was so nice, just kind of standing there smiling at me.  So then I
   thanked him and walked away.  Right after that, the band started to sign a
   guitar for somebody, not a fan, and I had my "Keep the Faith" CD cover with
   me, so I went back to Jon and asked him to sign it.  He smiled and asked me
   what my name was again and then signed it.  It says "To Kathy love Jon Bon
   Jovi".  I left right after that and have been high ever since.

   Truly a dream come true, as you all can imagine.  Incredible, amazing,
   awesome, once in a lifetime.......