Have you seen Kevin Sharp in concert? Did you get to meet him? How about that time you got pulled over for blaring Kevin music -- or when you missed the bus on new release day?

Share your story with KevinFriends!

Smiling faces

by TK, June 23, 2000

Kevin had a show in Roseville, CA on Sunday night, June 11, 2000, so he had to fly back to Nashville on Monday, the first day of Fan Fair 2000. Marlene, Elaine and I spent the first day of Fan Fair in Kevin's booth. We sold merchandise, caught up with fans and friends who stopped by to say hello, and let people know when Kevin would be there to sign autographs.

Tuesday was a busy day! Kevin was back in town, his mom was flying in that morning, it was the day of the second annual Kevin Sharp Friends Club party, AND it would be Kevin's first day in his booth. After I picked up Mrs. Sharp from the airport, we hurried to the Castle Door where the party was being held for the second year. We got there just in time to help set up the decorations (Marlene and Elaine had made three huge pots of sunflowers for the event). Then it was time to lay out the auction items, which included: a one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl that Elaine made -- that bore a striking resemblance to Kevin , and a handmade quilt that included Kevin Sharp bandanas in the design. Plus, the original version of "Love Is" with "Love Is All That Really Matters" on it, a CD single and the original video of "Love Is All That Really Matters." Two huge hand-drawn caricatures of Kevin rounded out the auction pieces.

More smiles! The shots TK took at Fan Fair 2000 can be seen in KevinFriends Gallery 7.

When the doors were opened at 11:00 a.m. everyone was excited for the party to get underway. Robert "Big Dog" Adams, Kevin's former bus driver, was going to MC the event, but was running a bit late so we had Mrs. Sharp get up and talk for a few minutes. People asked questions about Kevin, and Mrs. Sharp happily answered them. She also told family stories until Big Dog and his family arrived. Once Big Dog got situated, he started drawing names for prizes. Kevin had spent Thursday night collecting fun things to give away including some rare items like stand-ups, CD singles, and even a pair of his own jeans!

Kevin arrived a few minutes after Big Dog started giving away the prizes. He got up on stage and welcomed everyone to the party and thanked them for all of their support. After his welcome, he invited everyone to eat lunch and he'd make his way around to everyone to say hello.

After lunch, Big Dog gave away more prizes while he told stories about "the boss" and being on the road. Kevin set up shop at one of the tables and everyone was lining up to have him pose for photos and sign things. It was a very laid back atmosphere, which is what Kevin wanted and I think everyone really enjoyed it.

Once everyone had a chance to spend some time with Kevin, he took his place up on the stage and started playing a combination of "Name That Tune" and "Who Wants to be a Hundredaire." The object of the game was to guess five songs in a row correctly. Each contestant would have three lifelines, one being the audience, the other two being Mrs. Sharp and Big Dog. Kevin drew a name from the give away bag and the lucky contestant joined him on stage. He correctly guessed all five songs and quickly donated his $100 prize to Make-A-Wish. The second contestant didn't fare as well, but walked away with a consolation Kevin Sharp key chain and magnet. The third and final contestant guessed all five songs, and also donated her winnings to Make-A-Wish.

Kevin had not intended to sing at the party, but had been asked a few times to sing earlier in the party. So he took the mic and sang, "Still Love" and "Love at the End of the Road." His voice was amazing! I think everyone had chills on chills! It was wonderful!

After his performance he had to wrap up the party as 2:00 p.m. was quickly approaching. He thanked everyone for coming and talked for a few minutes, then it was time to clear out and head to the booth to meet-and-greet, and sign autographs.

Kevin signed in his booth on Tuesday from 3:00-5:30, Wednesday from 2:00-5:30, and on Thursday he arrived at 2:00 and stayed till the last autograph was done, at about 6:00 or so. Lots of people were THRILLED he stayed so long, and they made sure to tell us that! Kevin's line grew longer everyday. I wish we would have counted how many people came through the line. It was great to watch Kevin with his fans and see all the smiling faces in the lines!

Everyone had a great time at FF2K! :-)

Copyright © 2000 TK, used by kind permission.

Look Out; He's Armed!

by Kris, November 9, 1998

If I have to pick my most memorable moment, it would have to be last December when I took Kevin his Christmas/birthday present.

It was in Carlisle, PA, where my mom and I and four other friends went on a ladies-only Kevin Sharp weekend. We had everything planned out... We were going to give him his b-day present at meet and greet, and his x-mas present during the show. We had found a handmade dart gun with six foam-tipped darts. The moment we saw it, we knew it had Kevin's name written all over it. It looked like a bow gun and it was quite large, so we placed it in a HUGE x-mas bag so that he would not have a clue what he was getting.

During the first part of the show, he pulled out his huge crate that said "water world," and dumped its contents all over the stage. He got out play dough, footballs and a candy dispenser with m&m's he gave to the crowd. So at this point, it seemed appropriate to go up and give him his "new" toy.

I walked up to the stage and handed him this huge bag -- his eyes got big as saucers, and he looked at me like, "What in the heck is in here?" Of course he was very afraid to open the bag; he knows whatever I bring with me, he is in trouble. I of course went back to my seat to watch him open his gift.

He slowly starts to open it, and instead of pulling the gun out to look at it and show the audience, he sticks his head into the bag! Then he proceeds to pull the bag (with the gun still inside) up over his head so you can't see his face at all!! At this point Lee is saying, "Hey Kevin, you know you can suffocate with that bag over your head?" Of course by this time the audience and I are laughing hysterically. He must have had it on his head a good 2 minutes, and he still had not let the rest of the room see what he had gotten. He finally took it off and of course was laughing himself, then he took the gun out of the bag. He's looking at Lee and was going, "OK, help, how do I do this?" Lee goes over and tries to help him load it, they get it hooked up (they think!) and Kevin aims it out into the crowd...

With the words "LOOK OUT!" he pulls the trigger and the dart falls to his feet! He immediately looks at me and yells that we gave him a broken gun! Of course we know we didn't; we know it can shoot quite far if done right! He puts it down and says he has a better gun. He goes to his box and pulls out his HUGE nerf shooter. He shot this a few times and continued to make smart remarks about my gift. So I asked Lee to go over and get it so I could load it THE RIGHT WAY!

Kris shoots back! Kris has taken some excellent pictures of Kevin. The shots from this story are in KevinFriends Gallery 2.

As he gets it, Kevin sees him and starts yelling at me for taking it back. I explained to him that I was only going to put the dart on the right way. He still thought I jipped him, and was afraid to believe me after I gave it back to him. I finally convinced him it would work, so he decided to give it another try. He aimed it again towards the crowd, pulled the trigger and it shot almost to the back of the theater and hit some man right in the head -- pretty hard, too. He and the band were shocked. Kevin apologized to the guy for a few minutes and let him keep the dart. I later had to tell him not to do THAT anymore, 'cuz there were only 6 darts and we could not get any more of them if he gave them away.

From that night on when he used it, he turned them on the band! Jeff got to see them a lot. Kevin liked the plastic boards that surrounded Jeff's drum set.

I think the best part was to see Kevin's face when the gun finally shot. He couldn't believe how far it went!

From that night on, everytime I show up with a present, he never doubts that what I give him will be well worth showing the crowd!

Copyright © 1998 Kris, used by kind permission.

Charmed

by Jamee, November 8, 1998

My mother and I have seen Kevin Sharp 12 times so far this year. Our first show was in February. We have driven as far as Alabama, which is a 10 hour drive for us because we live in Illinois.

We have also paid our share of "premiums" -- $60.00 a ticket for the show in Fort Loraime, Ohio, just so we could get one of those wonderful hugs.

My mother and I have been very lucky because we have gotten to see him all 12 times. He is such a sweetheart. I have a charm that has the miles and hours on it, but it doesn't include the last two shows, which were Dover, Ohio and on Nov. 20 Nashville. The total on my charm is 5148 miles and 74 hours. We made Kevin a poster with all the total miles and hours for each trip.

All I have to say is, from the moment you meet Kevin, you can tell what a wonderful person he is. He just steals your heart every time. I can't forget the band though; I have never met a band that was so friendly, outgoing or goofy!! My mother and I just love those guys!!

Copyright © 1998 Jamee, used by kind permission.

75 in a 70 on 94 (in '98)

by Colleen, November 3, 1998

My faithful sidekick Ruth and I had decided that we were going to attend the show in Allegan, Michigan. So I called the ticket place and said, "I'm calling from Chicago and I need information about tickets for the Allegan County fair." The nice man on the other end of the phone promptly said, "Oh, are you coming to see the Backstreet Boys?" My reply was basically, "Um... no, I'm coming to see Kevin Sharp." The guy laughed and apologized. He then told me that I would have to drive to Kalamazoo to pick the tickets up! Kalamazoo is about 2 hours from Chicago, but I really wanted to go. So one Sunday, Ruth and I got up early and drove to Kalamazoo. On our way there, I got pulled over on I-94 for doing 75 in a 70! That's an $80 dollar ticket. We arrived in Kalamazoo, got our tickets and headed for home.

After all that, the show was great! Considering if you do all the math it cost me $105, it was well worth it.

That's my story.

Copyright © 1998 Colleen, used by kind permission.

'Hallmark' Moment

by Jeff E., November 3, 1998

Country music fans expect a country song to relate to them. They expect the singer be accessible and to treat each other with the respect of a family member. By this measure, Kevin Sharp's performance Friday night, October 30, at Frederick's Weinberg Center should qualify him as a superstar. The headliner of a concert to benefit the Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, Kevin demonstrated showmanship worthy of "Entertainer of the Year."

After opening the show with "Measure of a Man," Kevin jumped off the stage to sing his next two songs while walking through the audience. Never missing a beat, he greeted nearly everyone seated on the floor, pausing only to pose for pictures, sign an autograph, or give a hug. Finally returning to the stage, he remarked that he "felt like Richard Dawson" greeting contestents on the Family Feud.

Inspired by a fan with a sign that read "Kiss me - Neal did," (a reference to his brother-in-law, Neal McCoy), Kevin accepted the challenge and invited the girl onstage for a kiss. Afterwards, he put on a cowboy hat and did his best impersonation of Neal singing his hit, "The Shake." Fellow country singers Trace Adkins and Mark Miller (from Sawyer Brown) also didn't escape impersonation, as Kevin did his best to mimic their unique dancing styles.

Performing hits such as "She's Sure Taking It Well" and "If You Love Somebody" from his debut album, as well as future hits such as "We Can Get Through This" and "If She Only Knew," from his latest Asylum release "Love Is," Kevin had the crowd on their feet. Enticed by shouts from the balcony, Kevin sang the appropriately titled "I'm Already Loving You Too Much" from the upper seating area - all the while greeting fans. After returning to the stage another song later, Kevin allowed Mayor Grimes of Frederick to join him onstage to say a few words about the night's benefit.

Instead, the Mayor congratulated Kevin on his remarkable journey, telling the audience of the remarkable battle Kevin has fought with cancer, and the help he continues to give through the "Make a Wish Foundation". A speechless Kevin unsuccessfully fought back tears as the Mayor handed him a proclamation declaring October 30 "Kevin Sharp Day" in Frederick, Maryland. After an extended standing ovation from the cheering audience, Kevin found the words to accept the honor.

'Wy' not! Jeff is webmaster of the site Planet Wy, "like nowhere else on Earth" for Wynonna and her fans!

Through tears, he thanked his fans for their support and explained how it was music that helped heal him. "I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't come out here on stage in front of people like you every night," he remarked. He instructed the band to play "I'm Trying" because it perfectly explained how love can get you through anything.

After the applause, Kevin introduced the band and again thanked the audience for making him feel at home. Finishing his set with "Love Bomb," "Population 4000 Minus 1," and his number one hit "Nobody Knows," Kevin was cheered back onstage for a 3 song encore, including the Garth Brooks hit "Unanswered Prayers."

As Kevin Sharp left the stage for the final time that evening, he said "This hasn't been a typical night." Anyone who was in the audience that night could agree. This had definitely not been a typical country show - because, as Kevin Sharp proved, he is not a typical country singer.

Copyright © 1998 Jeff E., used by kind permission.

Visitors since
November 3, 1998