If, after browsing, you decide you like my page, 

you're welcome to vote for me by clicking on the TOP 50 link:

When Cheryl Met Melissa :-)

I had 2 Wednesday night tickets to her Chicago Theatre concert in August 2001. My now ex-husband was a local DJ and had a few connections to the business end of meet and greets. He had called me from work on Tuesday to tell me that if I could somehow get my tickets switched from Wednesday to Thursday, that he had a surprise for me. I tried like hell to find someone to buy the tickets from me. (I don't have any friends who are as "obsessed" about her as I am, so it was difficult to find a buyer.) 

I ended up eating the cost of those tickets, but as I found out later, it was well worth it. I had my grandparents, who live in Evanston, go to their local ticketmaster and purchase two tickets for me. (I can't remember now why I couldn't do it.) I sent them a check in the mail the following week. Anyway, my now ex-husband came home from work Tuesday night and asked me if I was able to get the dates switched. It told him no, not really, but I had arranged us to get two tickets for the Thursday night show at the will call. 

I couldn't believe what he said to me next. We were going to the Chicago Meet and Greet!! I could hardly sleep Tuesday night, and I already had Wednesday night off from work, because that's when I thought I was going to see Melissa. I could barely contain my excitement. Thursday morning I was awake and ready to drive to Chicago(3 hours north). We couldn't really leave until 12. I made sure my guitar was in the car the previous night so I wouldn't forget to grab it in my excitement of leaving. I wanted to have something for her sign, and what's more perfect thing than a pearl white guitar. It was already signed by Shannon Curfman. I had her draw a picture of a guitar on fire after she signed it, in hopes that, someday, I would meet Melissa Etheridge, and she could write Bring Me Some Water next to her signature.

We get to the venue after I nearly inhaled my food at dinner and we have to wait for the R and R guy to show up. Standing there with all the other people who were also waiting to go backstage, my stomach was doing all sorts of flips and tumbles. I was actually minutes away from meeting the one person in my life I admired, idolized, mimicked in my own guitar style, and genuinely cared about. 

It was time to go, so we all followed the guy. We came to a room, which seemed like the basement of the Theatre. It was musty smelling and very dark. Then it happened. She walked into the room. I started tearing up, I felt like I was going to vomit. She was getting closer and closer. Soon it would be my turn. I couldn't help but start crying, weeping really. I was never so happy in my life up till that point. 

Melissa saw me crying as she moved in front of me for "my turn." She hugged me and I was in heaven. I babbled something about her music and involvement in the community changed my life and I hoped that she never stop recording music the way she does. I gave her a lapel pin of the energizer bunny and told her to think of me and that maybe she could put it on one of her guitar straps. I don't think she did, but I can surely fantasize about it. 

She asked if she could sign my guitar, obviously seeing right through to my nervousness and she didn't want me to forget to ask her. She signed it and asked who the other person was that already signed it. I told her the story. 

I gave her another hug and she walked away to the next person. And the next and the next. I soon realized I did not have a picture of the most incredible moment of my life. I walked over to where she was, almost done with the meet and greet line (more of a circle, really) and asked for her picture. I must have seemed impatient because she told me she's be over there in just a minute. 

I was so embarrassed, interrupting the other groups time with Melissa, but I couldn't leave without a picture, no way! So, she posed with me and my now ex-husband and her R and R guy snapped the picture. I was well aware that Melissa's chest was next to mine. I put my arm around the back of her waist and I felt instant euphoria. We are the same height, except she is taller in the picture because she has on her classic cowgirl boots.

The meet and greet was over and I had enough time to run my guitar back to the car before the concert was to begin. I put it in the trunk. I got back to my seat just as she was coming out. Our seats weren't the greatest, but I had the most wonderful time anyway, singing every word of every song she sang that night, not caring who around me was annoyed or that I belonged in the shower or in the privacy of my own space. I was happy. Every time I watch the Skin DVD, I remember that night and how I felt. 

I have only one wish. Just once I want to hear Melissa sing "The Letting Go" in concert. That song has some pretty powerful meanings for me, many of them obvious and a few not so obvious. Maybe someday I'll get my wish.

Cheryl

Graphics courtesy of