For a very small time, I was able to do a midwestern bit of music journalism. I wrote for a smalltown newspaper's entertainment "magazine" and for a local promoter's magazine. Both were a lot of fun. Both allowed me to talk to musicians that were way above my paygrade, and I had an absolute blast. One of the things they seemed to get a kick out of most was that I wasn't interested in just little dibs and dabs about their album. I did my homework and asked somewhat tough questions.
And in return I was rewarded with some great quotes and fun opportunities. One of them was from a 1960s era guitarist/singer who is a staunch advocate of the 2nd amendment and sportsmen's rights.
"I am the pointman for the Louis and Clark expedition of rock and roll."
Right before the interview, my in-phone tape recorder futzed out on me, so I had to do everything typing on my computer. He said, "Oh man, do I feel sorry for you. This is gonna be painful," when I told him.
Sadly, the closest I ever got to Gene Simmons was doing photo duty at their makeup reunion tour with all the original members. That day was pretty cool. I got the call from the label saying that the press passes would be available at the will-call booth right before the show, and not to be late, because the tour manager would be there promptly and would not be waiting around.
I showed up on time, along with two other local writers from competing publications, a photographer, and a TV videographer. Every last one of them looked bored to death, but I was having a blast.
The tour manager shows up, and apparently I was the only one who had any clue that he was Tommy Thayer from Black 'n Blue. He hadn't yet done anything with Kiss onstage, but later on that tour filled in for Ace on a few shows when he got sick. So I told him I was a big fan of Black 'n Blue, and I was pleasantly surprised to meet him. He asked me what my favorite songs were, and I only later realized it was a test to see if I was just schmoozing or if I was for real. Apparently, my saying "Swing Time" got me a pass, and we all went back stage.
I was really surprised that every one of the media that was in the small group looked bored as hell.
So, if you've done the photo-line on larger shows, you know that you basically walk out for a few songs at the beginning, the band hams it up to get you some good pics, and then you are ushered off to the side, so the video crew can continue getting those shots for the people in the nosebleed seats.
So when it was all said and done, and everyone was walking off backstage, Tommy stopped me, and motioned for me to go back out front and get some more shots, motioning to Gene (we were stage right, same side as Gene). So I was able to go out exclusively and get another couple of rolls of film worth of shots, about 8" from Gene's boots. It was a very cool moment. Later on, when media was supposed to be allowed to go backstage and talk to the band, we were told we were not going to be able to, as the band had an early flight and wanted to get back to the hotel.
So, having read through all of the previous commentaries, I can add Tommy Thayer's name to the list of mensch-like personnas in the music industry, as he let the smallest circulation publication have a lot more time shooting the band than the ones that dwarfed ours. And I believe it's all because I actually gave a damn about the music.
Tell us what you really think, Tom! 
