My Journey and It Doesn't End Here....

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My journey began the day I approached Rene Elizondo and he presented me with two front row seat tickets for Janet' s summer janet. tour back in 1994 (Ohio). I saw Rene from a distance as he was running back out to see someones car which had been adorned with Janet paraphernalia. I approached him with my janet. 2disc book and asked him if he was the guy in this picture. (photo at bottom left) He answered yes, signed my book (signature at bottom right) and continued to talk to me about Janet as well as the show. Suddenly he reached out and gave me two front row seat tickets and said enjoy the show. After the concert, I noticed Shawnette at the back gate to meet with her Aunt that lives in Ohio. I approached her and got her autograph as well (coming soon..) The story I have to share with you is my second chance. I was much wiser when I attended The Velvet Rope Tour back in 1998 and I finally got my chance.  My prayers, dreams, and admiration had finally paid off.

On July 28th 1998, I was chosen out of a crowd of atleast 25,000 people to join Ms. Janet Jackson on stage for her performance of Rope Burn. The concert was held at the Riverport Amphitheatre in St. Louis, MO. I was joined that day by my friends Curtis Smith, LaMarcus Rusk, Cedric, and Kedrick. To be honest, I wanted for one of my friends to be picked because I was just excited that we had 2nd row seats. The show itself was without flaw. I remember during If as Janet gazed into the audience how close she was to me. I was satisfied with this moment, but the best was yet to come.       At the end of I Get Lonely Janet along with her dancers stood in front of me and Janet said "You". Til this day that moment has frozen like a timeless image in my mind.

Rope Burn photos courtesy of the technicians from The Velvet Rope Tour St. Louis, MO performance Click Images to Enlarge View

I think I had to jump over one of the speakers to get to the stage but once on stage Kelly escorted me to "the chair". I remember Janet standing in the distance, and I had a camera in my pocket too. I thought to myself "what a damn good photo that would had been". Janet stood before me like no human being has ever. All I remember are her eyes and finally getting to see her tattoos up close. She stood before me as I laid my head against her stomach. She held me like only a diva would, and I felt comfortable. I was in "Control" like Janet. Finally my dream had come true.......................................... Everyone tends to ask me "What happened when Janet took you off stage?" Once back stage, Janet unwraps her Velvet Rope from behind your neck, blows you a kiss as she turns for her next costume change. (Shawnette and Tina follow) Security grabs you with the tightest grip ever known to man and as I walked out an unknown figure handed me the two photos at right. I was taken through a gate and all of a sudden back at my seat. The crowd cheered me on as if I were Janet. The night went on with more performances and memories.