When I heard Bret Michaels, Dee Snider and Slaughter were coming to Laughlin, Nevada, I was ready for a road trip! Since I knew all the performers personally I was anxious to see my friends and rock out!     But before I talk about all the excitement and how incredible the show was, I have to tell the tale of what I experienced the day of BEFORE the show. I can laugh about it now but boy did it give me anxiety!     The venue in Laughlin was at Harrahs Hotel and Casino. The venue is new and I had never been there to see it yet. But one thing I can tell you is, they were not prepared for an onslaught of Bret Michaels fans and the chaos with this kind of crowd. And they were not prepared for me – that was for sure!     I had contacted the performers and everything was set up with the tour managers and managers and we had kept in touch with texts throughout the day before and the day of the show. Janna Elias is Bret Michaels manager and she texted me to head down to the Players Club to get my tickets and photo pass at 6pm. Slaughter had me down for a pass as well for a meet and greet at 6:45 and Danny Stanton was hands on to bring me back to see Dee Snider. I got to the Players club and I stood in line and then they told me to go to the Box Office. I stood in that line. Then they told me to go to another line.  Then I was sent back to the original line who supposedly had the passes and tickets. It was an older lady who then gave me a paper wristband for the Slaughter meet and greet. “Where are my passes and tickets?” I asked. She said that was all she had. I told her: “Look, I am credentialed for a photo pass that I was informed would be here with my tickets.” Things were starting to get heated with her showing my name on  piece of paper with nothing but an armband until a man named Ben showed up over her shoulder: “What is your name?” he asked. And when I told him my name he said: “Oh, yes you were mentioned in the security meeting.” (WTF?) I’m thinking to myself. Ben said he would make sure I was escorted in if he had to do it himself. “Where are my three tickets I was on the list for?” I asked. So he told the lady to give me three tickets which she was happy to do to get rid of me.     So me and my galpal Dana headed to the outdoor venue. We got to the entrance and they said I couldn’t come in with my cameras and I needed a clear bag. I called Jeff Colin (Slaughter’s TM) and Danny Stanton saying I couldn’t get in the venue. Then I saw a circle of security standing there and said to them: “My name is Sally Steele, I was brought up in the security meeting and I need to get in with my equipment.” They were all speechless and just stared at me. Luckily Ben appeared out of nowhere and brought me in. Then Danny called me to come and get me: “Where are you Sally?” “A man brought me in but I am still trying to get my passes.” I said. Danny was standing next to Janna and told her all I got was a paper armband for the Slaughter meet and greet and I heard Janna say “What?!? I had her down for 3 tickets and a photo pass!” So Danny ran to get me and give me my photo pass and Jeff took me back to see Dana and Mark from Slaughter. Man! What an ordeal! LOL.      Things went great after that. I told Jeff Blando to go in the trailer and tell Dana Strum that Sally was out there and wants some photos. Dana came out and I started to tell him the chaos that went on and he said “Well, here, take this and you can use it for the Sunset Station show as well.” He handed me an All Access pass and I took some photos with him and Mark Slaughter.     I have known Dana, Mark and Blas Elias since 1991 when I worked as a receptionist for a recording studio in California. They have all been so kind to me. Dana especially has always treated me very respectfully and I think he appreciates all the coverage I have given to him and the guys in my magazine throughout the years. Dana is also an amazing businessman and smart as a whip!”     Shortly after that, Bret Michaels appeared backstage and I went to say hello and take some photos with him. Slaughter hit the stage shortly after that to the thrill of all the fans.     Mark Slaughter is, without a doubt one of the best male singers out there. It is amazing how he can hit those high notes through all of Slaughter’s hit songs “Mad About You,” “Fly To the Angels” “I Want to Spend My Life with You” “Up All Night”, the hits went on and on with Mark cranking out the powerful high notes with ease. Dana was thunder and flash on bass, Jeff Blando was right on target with his rhythm and lead guitar notes leading the way as Jordan Cannata held down the beat in the back. You couldn’t have asked for a better band to open at a show!     After Slaughter finished up Danny Stanton called me and said Dee was waiting to see me. He took me to Dee’s trailer and Dee hugged me and wrapped his long arms around me and it was a great moment to see him after a few years. I did a brief interview and we had a great conversation. Dee is so amazing and I really appreciate the friendship I have cultivated with him over the years.       Then Bret Michaels hit the stage and the crowd surged forward to the stage. There were only two security women up at the front trying in vain to push the fans back. They kept pointing to me that I was in front and the security ladies kept yelling to them that I had a pass.  But when it comes to women trying to get close to Bret and get his attention, the two security women were fighting a losing battle from the start. A thin chain they had draped across in front of the stage was no match for these fans.      Bret is one of the most gracious and humble entertainers in the business. And with that, he makes each fan feel like they are important to him. He comes out and points to each of the fans and they get over excited that he acknowledges them and they spend the rest of the show feeling special and that he likes them. One gal that was pushing her way up close to the stage was exclaiming Bret needs to see her because he said he was going to go out on her boat. Which I am sure was a dream in her head. But Bret is always so kind to his fans and they all feel they are important to him.

My favorite songs Bret sings are Poison songs “Talk Dirty To Me” and “Ride The Wind.” He opened with those as I was getting pushed around trying to get photos of him running back and forth across the stage with his band.      Pete Evick, Bret’s guitarist and Tour Manager, Dean Cramer Bret’s other guitarist and Stormin Norman on bass worked the front line with Bret for the frenzied fans.

Then it was time to bring Dee Snider onstage. Dee knows how to get the crowd going and between Bret and Dee working the crowd, the best of the best was onstage in motion. Dee singing “We’re Not Going to Take it” and “I Wanna Rock” is always guaranteed to bring every person in the audience to their feet!      Being in the front row with the rambunctious, drinking crowd was a little much for me so I went to sit down. But as soon as I did, here came Bret and Dee and Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars to celebrate their birthdays onstage! I had to jump up and grab a few shots that I could with a partying crowd in full force around me.       Bret told the crowd how he had been looking forward to this show for some time and how grateful he was to everyone who came out. It is impossible to not love that man!

Despite being pushed around like a rag doll, I really enjoyed the show and it was great to visit with all my friends backstage. And the confusion earlier with the hotel all disappeared and it ended up to be an incredible night and experience!

Thank you SO much to Janna Elias for taking care of me for credentials – she always does such a great job and is such a doll! And of course Bret has the best people working with him!

Thank you to Danny Stanton for taking care of me as well and bringing me back to see and interview Dee!

Thank you Jeff Colen for keeping me updated and making sure I got to see Dana and Mark backstage.

And thank you to “Ben”: I am sure he will never forget me! Until the next show Laughlin!

Sally Steele

Photos: Sally Steele