I am now 10 years old; just turned ten two days ago, on the 26th.
I have had a lot of neat and exciting things happen to me, but I think my favorite memory I have is the time when I met Ronnie Milsap, who so happens to be one of my favorite country singers of all time (and this was before I had even heard of Collin Raye!).
I had seen Ronnie Milsap perform several times before in concert, and he puts on a terrific show; but something always seemed to happen, and I would have to end up leaving before the show was over. Either I got sick or had a seizure, or else when it came time to meet him I would get so nervous I would end up throwing up. I had seen him for several years, but I had yet to meet him.
Ronnie Milsap is my idol. He has always been ever since I could remember. He is such a terrific singer, and his musicianship on the piano and/or keyboards is nothing short of incredible. His talent is endless, and he consistently puts out great stuff. He can sing it all..rock, country, blues, gospel, and each time it sounds GREAT!! He has so many fans (including ME!!), and his shows are really exciting!
He is also handicapped. He is blind. He has been blind since he was born, and yet despite his vision problems he learned to play piano; and he seemed to have a gift for music. He doesn't let his handicap get him down, and sometimes during a show he even jokes about it, which makes his fans laugh.
I guess this is why I like Ronnie so much. He is a role model to handicapped people, and he is so nice, to boot! When I first met Ronnie Milsap, I was probably 7, and I remember I was scared to death! I didn't say much, for fear I would throw up on him! Now, my sister, Ronee', on the other hand, has MET Ronnie Milsap before (more than once), and Ronnie remembered her; and they would talk and visit like two old pals. But ME, on the other hand, was NERVOUS!! I guess Ronnie knew I was nervous (plus Ronee' told him I was; I gave her a look that could KILL!), but he tried to put my fears at ease. He signed a picture (I didn't know he could write, being blind and all, but he could!), and he had me pose with him for a picture. In the picture I look like a scared little rabbit, and I look like I am about to lose my lunch! I also look like a little ghost, as my face is white, nearly as white as my hair!!
I have been lucky to have met Ronnie Milsap several more times, and he is aware of my disability; but he still treats me like a regular kid, even though HE is handicapped himself. Which is how I like it. It is bad enough being in this danged old wheelchair and wearing braces on my legs; but when people treat me normally I am very happy!! Especially if that person so happns to be RONNIE MILSAP!! :)
I hope to see Ronnie Milsap again soon; it's been a while since I saw him. I last saw him in 2000, when I was just 8 years old. In fact, I saw him on my 8th birthday. I met him then, too, and he even sang "Happy Birthday" to me during his show! (Mommy had something to do with that; she told one of his band members that there was a little boy in the audience who was in a wheelchair, and that it was his birthday. Only I didn't know about that until Ronnie mentioned it; and when he did I about DIED!!!!)
I hope he comes back to Nashville soon; I sure would like to see him again!!
P.S.: I DID see him on "Austin City Limits" last night, but it's nothing like seeing him LIVE in concert!! :)
I got the idea for this story after watching Ronnie Milsap on CMT last night, on "Austin City Limits"! I also just joined his fan club! (As did my twin sister!! She's loved him for years! I have seen Ronnie Milsap in concert [met him, too!] 3 times, but Karla, on the other hand, has seen Ronnie Milsap an incredible 22 times!!! YIKES!!)
Besides Ronnie Milsap, I have also met Loretta Lynn (more than once; what a sweetie!!), "Sawyer Brown", The Statler Brothers (more than once), the late Tammy Wynette, George Jones, the late George Morgan (Lorrie Morgan's daddy), the late Faron Young, Betty Jean Robinson, Billy ThunderKloud, Johnny Rodriguez, Billy "Crash" Craddock, the late Ernest Tubb, Barbara and Louise Mandrell, Marie and Donny Osmond, Ronnie Robbins (son of the late Marty Robbins; he sounds just like his daddy did when he was alive!), Mark Wills, Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt, Sammy Kershaw, "Beausoleil", Belton Richard, Jo-El Sonnier, and many others!! :)
This is a wonderfully written piece about Johnny meeting Ronnie Milsap! It'a awesome that you've met some of your favourite musicuans I'd love to mmet some of my favourites namely Reba, Jo Dee Messina < Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Martina Mcbride and Celine Dion I think that would be completly amazing!
In Christs Love
~Michelle~
very well written story about a wonderful singer and human being, ronnie milsap. he is a legend...thanks for sharing this! (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :) (i thought johnny's favorite singer was his sister ronee' or collin raye!! SORry...couldn't resist! *grins*)
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
