When Bret Michaels headlines this year's Uncle Sam Jam on Monday, July 3 at Lafreniere Park in Metairie - I hope that's the second night I get to spend with Bret.
I met Bret Michaels at a mutual friend’s wedding reception - but I had no idea my friend knew Bret Michaels. After we bonded at the reception, neither of us wanted the night to end, so I asked Bret if he would like to go out in the French Quarter. He agreed and we both left the party and had a drink in the lobby of his hotel - the downtown Sheraton.
The conversation covered everything from music to politics, and I was quite impressed with his knowledge and awareness of current events. We then left the Sheraton bar and walked to Bourbon, and walking down Bourbon Street with Bret Michaels - wearing his signature headband - was an experience. People would shout, "Hey, Bret Michaels!" It was a very cool experience.
We decided to go to the House of Blues, and needless to say, walking up to the House of Blues with rock icon Bret Michaels meant we were treated to a ‘carte blanche’ entrance. I believe Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was performing. We were seated in the middle of the upstairs balcony and I remember watching Bret play "air keyboards" throughout the performance. Bret got totally lost in the rhythm & blues of Gatemouth and seemed to relish in a musical genre that was very different from the glam metal of Poison.
After the show we went backstage, and Gatemouth was thrilled to meet Bret and appreciated that he was at his show.
After we left the House of Blues we ended up back on Bourbon, and at one of the finer clubs in the French Quarter. I leave it at that.
During my private time with Bret Michaels I learned what an intelligent person he is - but what stood out most to me was his compassion for people. Bret Michaels showed me a caring side of him that let me know he was very sensitive about the people who struggled in life and had less than many. I was impressed that a certified rock star like him would be so aware of those who have so much less.
Partying with Bret Michaels was cool, but his sensitivity to humanity was most impressive.
I am hoping to have a conversation with Bret on our show on WWL - along with a video interview the night of the Uncle Sam Jam. Wish me luck.