Christina Meets The Metalgods

So I returned to the designated area at 5:15pm. We actually didn't go into the venue until about 5:30/5:40pm. We were given specific instructions before entering the meet & greet area. Metallica would not be signing any skin. Don't interrupt when they are spending time with the person next to you. Don't peek through the black curtains.

So we all move into the backstage area. A few minutes later, Rob walks in. It was so casual that it took me by surprise. He went around and shook everyones hand. There were about 20 of us total. Only 8 were from the metclub and the others were radio contest winners. Rob then spent time with each person individually. He autographed my tour book and I got a picture with him. He was so nice. I told him that it was nice to have him in the Metallica family.

We waited a little while and then James walked in. Boy did the nerves kick up then. I figured that they would save him for last so that we could build up our courage. He was very laid back and surprisingly easy to talk to. I showed him the research paper that I had written on Metallica in 1991 when I was a junior in high school. He thought that it was cool and was glad that they could help me with my homework. He joked that my paper would be a lot thicker nowI also told him that I saw the movie, "Some Kind of Monster." He seemed surprised and asked what I thought of it. I told him that it was awesome and thanks for releasing it.

Then there was a lot of waiting around. Finally, Kirk came in. He was very nice. He also thought that my research paper was cool and was sad that he didn't have time to read it. I asked him to autograph my tour book and let him choose his favorite picture to autograph. He was also nice enough to autograph something for Keidra. Then he forgot that we had already taken a picture and asked did I want a picture taken. He seems a little scatterbrained at these meet & greets. But it was nice that he wanted to make sure everyone got their picture taken with him that wanted one. All of the guys were conscientious that way.

Finally after lots more waiting, the infamous Lars Ulrich walked in. He started asking how everyone was doing and tried to get the crowd revved up. Then he made his rounds to everyone. He was so nice with the guy who was next to me. Hi Alex. Alex was so nervous that when Lars asked him his name, he didn't know what to say at first. He told Lars that he was really nervous. Lars was like there is no need to be nervous because we are all family here. Then Lars made fun of the metclub cameraman who was videotaping everyone. He blamed the cameraman for making Alex nervous and took the camera away from him. Lars started to get all up in the cameraman's face with the video camera and asked him how he liked it.

Lars also got a kick out of my research paper. He actually skimmed through it a bit and read a few parts. It starts out saying that Metallica had been together for 10 years and he says, well that's not true anymore. I told him that it needed to be updated. He asked me what grade I got on the paper and I told him an A-. So he autographed it and wrote A- next to his name. I told him that I saw the movie in Chicago and that it got a standing ovation. He seemed happy to hear that. We took a picture together and then as he was walking away, he noticed the shirt that I was wearing. He asked if it was one of theirs and I said yes and told him that I got if off of the website. He was surprised and kept saying how much he liked it. I told him that I was happy that they finally started making ladies t-shirts. He said that he was glad they could make me happy or something like that. I don't remember exactly what he said now. I thought it was sweet how Lars asked each person their name. Well, that's my Metallica meet & greet story. The Madison show was awesome. I loved the stage setup and the setlist rocked, especially "Dirty Window" and "Dyers Eve." Enjoy the pics.