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Chris Gilland (USA)  |
Last Thursday, my absolutely best friend, whose now my gardian angel, but
don't tell her that or put that on the page, told me about a local station in
Charlotte NC, 107.9 The Link who were sponcering a concert at the Double Door in
Cornilious NC which is about 2 hours away. I told her I was going to call and
ask for details on how to get the tickets. When they answered I asked them to
give me info on how to get 'em. The DJ by the name of Chris Alans told me that
I'd have to listen the follow morning, yesterday, and try to be the seventeenth
caller. I tried so hard and nearly succeeded. I was the 16 caller one time. I
was infuriated! My one chance, blown! Chris could easily hear the hurt and anger
in my voice. "Hey man, what's your name" "Chris," I answered. "Hmm! Well? How
old are ya?" "I'm 18." "Oonkay cause you have to be 18 to get in. " I told them
that 18 I was. He said, tell you what, try and win the tickets tomorrow. If you
can't, call me tomorrow at 8 on the dot. I'll then hook ya up with a few tickets."
I asked him how much and he told me nothing! He'd do it as a kind favor. "O
thank you!" So, the next night I called him back and said I didn't win. He said
OK they've moved the concert into Charlotte because of such a large croud. I'll
admit though that there were only about 100 people there. He said have some ID
with you, and be there absolutely no later than 7:30. We were there tonight at 7
on the dot! But, Where the heck was Chris? He wasn't anywhere! I felt hurt, let
down, misused, and abanded. "What is this, a prank?" My dad told me to calm down
that I was being unreasonable. We went outside after hearing that he'd be there
in about 15 minutes. The radio van was there playing the station and they were
playing WICF. I heard a few people talking: "Where the heck are Marie and Per" "Dopn't
have a cow man, theyre coming and no, I won't call them again." It ended up
being the record executive from Edel Records. Then he said, "O, here they are."
They drove up in the parking lot. They stood there talking, totally out in the
open as if no one knew they were there. Fortunately hardly anyone did. My dad's
like, is that Roxette right there? "Yeah that's them" someone said. I was
holding my dad's elboe in case we had to walk anywhere. Then the dream of more
than an eternity came true. My dad started walking, faster and faster. He was
far from running, but still fast. Finally I saw a vaigue image of two people in
front of me just standing there. "Excuse me" my dad said. "Could you please
grant my son's only wish to speak to you all?" Next thing I new, "Hi!" Guess who
said hi? The beautiful Gun Marie Fredriksson. "Are you marie" "Yes, I'm Marie."
I nearly fainted! "O my gosh! This is a dream come true! I am Chris. I have all
your albums, from POP all the way to HAND. I'm even on the Roxette mailing list
on the Internet." "Well thank you!" Marie said. She soundedc touched. "It has
always been my dreamed fanticy to meet you all." "Ahh, how sweet," Marie said. I
doubt my dad heard it because she nearly whispered it. I just scarcely heard it
myself. Then someone put there hand on my shoulder. They gripped it sort of tite
because I was shaking. I was an absolute nurvous wreck. I turned around. Chris!
I'm Per. "Hey Per! How are you doing man?!!" "O just fine, but tired." Marie him
and I laughed. "It's so great to see you all! Could you sign my Don't Bore Us
CD?" "Deffinently!" Marie said. She handed it to Per and let him write first.
She went to speak with a family memver I think. Per then said: "Hang on. I'll go
give it to Marie to sign." He went and got her. They both came back and he
handed it to me. I started to turn away like OK bye. But something inside of me
made me cling to them. We talked for about 1 to 2 minutes longer. I can't
remember a darn thing that was said during that time though. I was going crazy.
I think they could tell. Finally I wished them good luck and said goodbye. I
told them I'd probably never see them again ever, and to please remember me,
because I swore I'd do the same for them. I told them that they had really
brought a smile to my face and we took pictures. I said that every time I looked
at them, I'd always think of them. I know with tears in my eyes that I always
will remember this. I can't explain the emotion, but let's say two things: very
personal and private so please don't publish this on the net or the list.
1. If it weren't for them, I don't think I'd ever have come to love music the
way I do now.
2. Marie's soft voice on Never is a Long Time immediately healed me from a
nearly tempted suicide attempt.
I won't say more about that though. Because of these incedents they are more
than just a band to me. They're a blessing. They literally saved my life. I sat
through the totally acoustic with no back up band concert.
They did:
WICF
LTYH
IMHBL
and The Look
After the show, Chris was on stage and said to meet outside to get autographs
and to meet them. Per even from the beginning was very shy. Didn't seem to say a
whole lot.
I got in front of the line again. They were sitting behind a desk against the
wall. I got up there once again. By this time, Marie was tremendously tuched
that I cared enough to come back again and see them. I started to say good night
and Marie very sweetly said "Hey Chris, come here and stand next to me.." I
reached out my hand to get her's. She led me around the table or desk, whatever!
My dad said he's going to take 3 more different poses. Marie was so sweet. I
felt so close to her. She was so close that I could see her well, and believe
me, with my blindness, that was close! LOL! She put her arm across my left
shoulder and rested her hand on my right one. Dad snapped the pictures. Then we
got a poster of the new album cover and they autographed it for me as well. I
asked two questions to them:
"I'm wondering: Have you all ever or do you plan on ever performing From One
Heart to Another live?" "Hmm! No we haven't, " Marie said inthusiasticly. "Hey,
Per, did ya hear what Chris said? " No what did 'e say?" "We should do FOHTA in
concert some time." "Oo Chris! That would be very pretty. We'll consider it."
"Thanks Per!" I said.
"Secondly, Marie: I've heard that your daughtors name was Inez but have also
heard it was Jossifin so which is it, I'm confused." She looked like, "OMG! How
did he know that!" She answered. "It's actually Inez Jossiffin." "My that's
pretty! I said. "Thank you Chris." She sounded very greatful that someone cared
so much about them.
Finally, I did say goodbye, but who knows: maybe not forever. I still have a ton
of hope. See? I also met the record executive who manages over Roxette. He gave
me his personal e-mail address which I obviously will not give to anyone, but he
said if I ever needed anything, please e-mail or call him. I may be able to get
him to give Marie and Per my e-mail address but it's not a deffinent. I'll do
what I can though. |
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