Letters

Getting by with a little (actually a lot of) help from my friends! I just won the Concert Online photo contest after more than a 1,000 of my family, neighbors and online friends voted for my picture. I have basically begging everyone I know and even the ones I didn�t know very well to vote for my picture. I�m extremely excited to win all 2 cd sets of the KISS Alive 35: North American Tour in limited edition digi-packs, authentic tour road case made of wood and metal with original autographs by all members of the band, 4 exclusive USB leather wristbands with original metal buckle logo, and a certificate of authenticity. The winning picture is a shot taken of France and Gene Simmons right before the band�s show in Nashville, TN on October 28th, 2009. Gene has been my hero since I was a little boy growing up in the 70�s. When I heard he would be offering his signature Axe Bass guitar and a personal meet and greet during the band�s Alive 35/Sonic Boom tour, I jumped at the opportunity. Just being backstage was an amazing experience. Walking right by the makeup rooms, hearing Paul down the hall warming up his vocal chords with the chorus of �Say Yeah,� seeing Tommy Thayer and Doc McGhee having a one on one pep talk just before showtime. I felt like I was on holy ground. But nothing could prepare me for seeing Gene, in full makeup and costume, strolling right into the same room with us. He was upbeat and larger than life, joking, signing autographs and posing for pictures. A special thank you to everyone that took time out to help me win this contest and a huge thank you to Gene, Paul, Tommy and Eric for keeping the magic alive for another tour!