How I Met My Hero

When I was a small boy, I lived about 2 and a half blocks from the elementary school I would be attending.  I had a babysitter, (since both my parents worked) named Mrs. Kendall, who lived about a half a block closer to the school and 2 houses away from another family that had a son my age…his name was David (no, NOT David Whiteman – Man, what kind of neighborhood do you think I grew up in?!).  As the first day of Kindergarten was approaching, My parents, Mrs. Kendall, and David’s parents all decided it would be a great idea for me and David to meet and walk to school together – so, when that damp and rainy first day of school rolled around, Mrs. Kendall walked me over to David’s house.  The adults introduced us to each other, pointed us in the direction of school, and sent us on our way.  We walked, in awkward silence, side-by-side for the entire 2 blocks…each of us occasionally peaking over at the other, from beneath the hoods of our rain-slickers, only to quickly avert our eyes back to the pavement when the other would happen to look back at the same time – by the end of the first week of school…we were best friends.  David and I remained best friends through elementary school and into junior high where we began to grow apart.  We stayed friends all through high school, although we rarely hung-out together anymore, and when I went away to college…we all but lost touch.  I hadn’t seen David in about 15 years when The Wife and I ran into him at a local bar about a year ago.  We hugged and chatted and we exchanged phone numbers.  This past week I received a text from David giving me a heads-up that Richie Sambora was appearing at World Cafe Live in Philly, on Friday, for the Free At Noon series that WXPN hosts and broadcasts each week.  He said that as soon as he heard about it, he thought of me.  I texted back a HUGE “Thank You” and made plans to get to the show.  So, this past Friday, The Wife took a half-day from work and I got up early (for me anyway) and we headed to the city.  Richie did an hour set highlighting several tunes from his latest solo album (which comes out today!!) and then did a meet-and-greet afterward.  Now, lemmie tell ya…I’ve met plenty of famous people…I’ve even played in front of some – I don’t ever get nervous or geeked-up.  But as I stood in line next to my wife waiting to meet Richie…I was a little nervous…and felt myself beginning to get geeked-up!!  They say you shouldn’t meet your heroes because you’ll probably end up disappointed…and that’s all I could think about as I stood there.  But, The Wife said “If you don’t do this now, you’ll be kicking’ yourself later”…and she was right – so up we went.  I shook Richie’s hand and told him that I didn’t have anything for him to sign, but that I just wanted to tell him that he’s been an inspiration to me.  He looked me in the eyes, smiled (seemingly very genuinely), and said “Thanks Brother” – it was really cool…and my wife got a picture of it too!!  So, thanks to the very first friend I ever had, I got to meet one of my 2 biggest guitar influences – Thanks again Dave!  Oh, and if any other childhood friends are out with information on how I can meet Eddie Van Halen…please contact me!!!