MR

A while back I mentioned learning that a consultant at a clinic I do work for turned out to be a personal friend of Arnel's from the Philippines, and I finally had a chance to meet him last week. Very cool guy, and we talked for quite a while! He actually knew Arnel back in the AMO Band days, and mentioned how stunned everyone at home was to learn that Arnel had gotten the call to join Journey. They are obviously very proud of him! He also mentioned how they used to all hang out at this one club called Cal Jams (now I know where you got your first screen name from, Sushi!).

He was also surprised to learn I was present at both Vegas gigs, and I showed him a few of the videos that I still have on my cell phone from the private RE/MAX show. He also mentioned that he was hoping to see Journey in Dallas. I told him that I'm going to that show as well, and hope he can make it. We are keeping in touch.

I see free tix in your future.

StoneCold wrote:


I see free tix in your future.

And maybe a backstage pass.... but I don't want to push. Heck, if you think that's cool, I can't wait to break the news on another KILLER Rip Rokken Journey-related exploit if it pans out... Just waiting to hear back from some folks... This would be a fan's dream come true.

Rip, did you tell this guy that you think the new Journey album sucks? Might want to lie to him about that if you want those backstage passes.

Saint John wrote:Rip, did you tell this guy that you think the new Journey album sucks? Might want to lie to him about that if you want those backstage passes.

Actually, I sent him sound samples... I'm trying not to talk too much about it until I have the album in hand, because I sort of felt the same way about the new ASIA album after hearing its samples -- then I got it and it was incredible. There may be much more to these songs that we haven't heard which helps flesh them out and makes them distinctive. But two runs through the samples so far isn't impressing me at all, songwriting wise. None of that would be Arnel's fault, anyway.

I think people will be surprised at how much they will listen to the re-records, though... That's my prediction.

Rip Rokken wrote: He also mentioned how they used to all hang out at this one club called Cal Jams (now I know where you got your first screen name from, Sushi!).

You got it! What I'm very happy about though is since all this happened with Arnel, I've been able to get back in touch with pretty much all of the original AMO Band members. It's great to get back in touch with all these guys who I shared my most important dreams with in the music deal. For the most part, all of them stayed doing music for a solid career. Me on the other hand, I was tired of being that starving musician. I had a really hard time getting normal everyday jobs back in the U.S. when I returned. Two weeks after I had my waist long hair butched completely off, I got a high paying job finally. It wasn't exactly my dream job, but at least I wasn't in the situation where I wondered where the next meal ticket was going to be coming from.

Hopefully, I'll be attending one of these Journey concerts not too long from now. Aren't they going to be in the San Francisco bay area anytime this year? I thought they were going to be playing in Santa Clara or Mountain View in June. If so, I'll pay big stupid dollars to get stage side seats. I need to get my hands on a back stage pass or two as well. Anyone know anything about how I could do that? I'm not going to bother Arnel about it until I become really despirate, then I may ask.

Rip Rokken wrote:

StoneCold wrote:I see free tix in your future.

And maybe a backstage pass....

Remember who is letting you sleep on a futon in July so you can meet Augeri and Chalfant... letting this person share in the wealth would be a wonderful way of saying "thank you".

The Sushi Hunter wrote:You got it! What I'm very happy about though is since all this happened with Arnel, I've been able to get back in touch with pretty much all of the original AMO Band members. It's great to get back in touch with all these guys who I shared my most important dreams with in the music deal. For the most part, all of them stayed doing music for a solid career. Me on the other hand, I was tired of being that starving musician. I had a really hard time getting normal everyday jobs back in the U.S. when I returned. Two weeks after I had my waist long hair butched completely off, I got a high paying job finally. It wasn't exactly my dream job, but at least I wasn't in the situation where I wondered where the next meal ticket was going to be coming from.

Hopefully, I'll be attending one of these Journey concerts not too long from now. Aren't they going to be in the San Francisco bay area anytime this year? I thought they were going to be playing in Santa Clara or Mountain View in June. If so, I'll pay big stupid dollars to get stage side seats. I need to get my hands on a back stage pass or two as well. Anyone know anything about how I could do that? I'm not going to bother Arnel about it until I become really despirate, then I may ask.

Yo! You know, I never realized you were a musician, too. Very cool! Did you play with those guys? You should come to Dallas if you can to join us!

Rhiannon wrote:Remember who is letting you sleep on a futon in July so you can meet Augeri and Chalfant... letting this person share in the wealth would be a wonderful way of saying "thank you".

I've already got a special surprise I'm working on to thank you -- I'm planning on introducing you to Kevin's bass player's bass tech! (whoever he is)

That's okay.

Rhiannon wrote:

That's okay.

Ahh... I guess you are not as star-struck as I thought...

Rip Rokken wrote:

Rhiannon wrote:

That's okay.

Ahh... I guess you are not as star-struck as I thought...

She doesn't know an opportunity when she sees one.
Forget her and let's talk DRUM techs.
(or preferably - drumMERS)

bluejeangirl76 wrote:She doesn't know an opportunity when she sees one.
Forget her and let's talk DRUM techs.
(or preferably - drumMERS)

See, I could be crass and ask her for an upgrade from the futon if she wants to meet some real celebs, but I'm just not that kind of opportunist.

Rip Rokken wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:She doesn't know an opportunity when she sees one.
Forget her and let's talk DRUM techs.
(or preferably - drumMERS)

See, I could be crass and ask her for an upgrade from the futon if she wants to meet some real celebs, but I'm just not that kind of opportunist.

Define "real" celebs and we'll talk.
(by which I mean you can sleep in my car)

(and don't say Don Dokken! )

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Define "real" celebs and we'll talk.
(by which I mean you can sleep in my car)

(and don't say Don Dokken! )

Umm... Don Dokken! Oops... should have read your full post before I said that.

How far do your car seats recline, and is there plenty of leg room?

Rip Rokken wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Define "real" celebs and we'll talk.
(by which I mean you can sleep in my car)

(and don't say Don Dokken! )

Umm... Don Dokken! Oops... should have read your full post before I said that.

How far do your car seats recline, and is there plenty of leg room?

That depends on whose legs we're talking about. Its a small Nissan, so figure any Journey singer past or present could camp in my car and be comfortable. (Arnel can use the glove compartment) If you're over, say, 5'8"... best you take the fetal position in the back seat. Or the trunk. I'll be glad to remove tennis racket that I bought yet never used.

bluejeangirl76 wrote:That depends on whose legs we're talking about. Its a small Nissan, so figure any Journey singer past or present could camp in my car and be comfortable. (Arnel can use the glove compartment)

LOL, I'm thinking there's one past Journey singer that might be a little cramped.

Deb wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:That depends on whose legs we're talking about. Its a small Nissan, so figure any Journey singer past or present could camp in my car and be comfortable. (Arnel can use the glove compartment)

LOL, I'm thinking there's one past Journey singer that might be a little cramped.

Robert Fleischman?

bluejeangirl76 wrote:That depends on whose legs we're talking about. Its a small Nissan, so figure any Journey singer past or present could camp in my car and be comfortable. (Arnel can use the glove compartment) If you're over, say, 5'8"... best you take the fetal position in the back seat. Or the trunk. I'll be glad to remove tennis racket that I bought yet never used.

Well, actually I was thinking of room for 4 legs in the same space, but that's only if you hit it off with Kevin's bass players's bass tech. I doubt a Nissan will have enough room.

Rip Rokken wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:That depends on whose legs we're talking about. Its a small Nissan, so figure any Journey singer past or present could camp in my car and be comfortable. (Arnel can use the glove compartment) If you're over, say, 5'8"... best you take the fetal position in the back seat. Or the trunk. I'll be glad to remove tennis racket that I bought yet never used.

Well, actually I was thinking of room for 4 legs in the same space, but that's only if you hit it off with Kevin's bass players's bass tech. I doubt a Nissan will have enough room.

I'm small.

Deb wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:That depends on whose legs we're talking about. Its a small Nissan, so figure any Journey singer past or present could camp in my car and be comfortable. (Arnel can use the glove compartment)

LOL, I'm thinking there's one past Journey singer that might be a little cramped.

Oh right. I forgot, Jeff's like 7'6" or something.
Damn you! Why you gotta come in and jack up my joke!

bluejeangirl76 wrote:I'm small.

So are roadies! *OOHH!! Sha-zam!*

Rhiannon wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:I'm small.

So are roadies! *OOHH!! Sha-zam!*

Doesn't matter, I only ever seem to attract short guys anyway.
Don't think I've even been with one over 5'8".

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

Rhiannon wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:I'm small.

So are roadies! *OOHH!! Sha-zam!*

Doesn't matter, I only ever seem to attract short guys anyway.
Don't think I've even been with one over 5'8".

Don't think I've ever been with anyone under 6'1".
...And please, none of these "You must be this tall to ride" jokes.

Rhiannon wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

Rhiannon wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:I'm small.

So are roadies! *OOHH!! Sha-zam!*

Doesn't matter, I only ever seem to attract short guys anyway.
Don't think I've even been with one over 5'8".

Don't think I've ever been with anyone under 6'1".
...And please, none of these "You must be this tall to ride" jokes.

starting to piece together the whole "cupcakes and ponies" thing.....

Maui Tom wrote:

Rhiannon wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

Rhiannon wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:I'm small.

So are roadies! *OOHH!! Sha-zam!*

Doesn't matter, I only ever seem to attract short guys anyway.
Don't think I've even been with one over 5'8".

Don't think I've ever been with anyone under 6'1".
...And please, none of these "You must be this tall to ride" jokes.

starting to piece together the whole "cupcakes and ponies" thing.....

The Sushi Hunter wrote:

Rip Rokken wrote: He also mentioned how they used to all hang out at this one club called Cal Jams (now I know where you got your first screen name from, Sushi!).

You got it! What I'm very happy about though is since all this happened with Arnel, I've been able to get back in touch with pretty much all of the original AMO Band members. It's great to get back in touch with all these guys who I shared my most important dreams with in the music deal. For the most part, all of them stayed doing music for a solid career. Me on the other hand, I was tired of being that starving musician. I had a really hard time getting normal everyday jobs back in the U.S. when I returned. Two weeks after I had my waist long hair butched completely off, I got a high paying job finally. It wasn't exactly my dream job, but at least I wasn't in the situation where I wondered where the next meal ticket was going to be coming from.

Hopefully, I'll be attending one of these Journey concerts not too long from now. Aren't they going to be in the San Francisco bay area anytime this year? I thought they were going to be playing in Santa Clara or Mountain View in June. If so, I'll pay big stupid dollars to get stage side seats. I need to get my hands on a back stage pass or two as well. Anyone know anything about how I could do that? I'm not going to bother Arnel about it until I become really despirate, then I may ask.

Check out the end of September - I believe they are playing Concord, CA; Mountain View, CA and just an hour up the highway is Marysville (Sacramento). I won't be at any of these, I'll be in Minneapolis the whole time.

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

Rip Rokken wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Define "real" celebs and we'll talk.
(by which I mean you can sleep in my car)

(and don't say Don Dokken! )

Umm... Don Dokken! Oops... should have read your full post before I said that.

How far do your car seats recline, and is there plenty of leg room?

That depends on whose legs we're talking about. Its a small Nissan, so figure any Journey singer past or present could camp in my car and be comfortable. (Arnel can use the glove compartment) If you're over, say, 5'8"... best you take the fetal position in the back seat. Or the trunk. I'll be glad to remove tennis racket that I bought yet never used.

I'm choking on my coffee here!

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Oh right. I forgot, Jeff's like 7'6" or something.
Damn you! Why you gotta come in and jack up my joke!

On first read, I thought you said, "Why you gotta come in and put jack in my coke!"

Rip Rokken wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Oh right. I forgot, Jeff's like 7'6" or something.
Damn you! Why you gotta come in and jack up my joke!

On first read, I thought you said, "Why you gotta come in and put jack in my coke!"

Well, now, I wouldn't mind that one bit.