Lea Haynes-Nicko McBrain-Bruce Dickinson-Tony Haynes

     Meeting your idols which I have been fortunate to do over my life can go usually one of two ways. It confirms you are supporting the right people or you get educated to what kind of people they really are. In this case I can tell you it was a little of both with a kicker. 

    Iron Maiden has been a band I have followed religiously over my life and my love of music so when I knew I could meet Nicko McBrain and Bruce Dickinson just two hours from where I live in Southwest Iowa I knew I had to take advantage of it. 

     So I talked my wife into going with me and I bought the package where I could get a picture with both artists.. Now at the time I had no idea it was even an option for both of us to get a picture because honestly I didn't read the details (shocker) and went ahead and got the package but my cyber stalker wife Lea went to work and found out that she could be in the picture too so it was literally a bonus so I was super Stoked!! 

     Now I can tell you I have never been to a ComiCon show in my life and I have to admit I do not usually get side tracked cause I am usually super focused on whatever task at hand I am doing but let's just say that I seen enough to know I seen too much. Hell I seen a human being that would probably go 450 pounds dressed up as Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants. It's not everyday that you see that and on top of that he had no qualms about taking pictures with other and so forth.. So as I thought about this maybe I was the one who needed to lighten up a bit cause these people weren't here to bother anyone just act out their (whatever) at ComiCon. So i just took it all in and yeah it may not be my cup of tea but to each their own...

      Nicko has always been special to me because not only his skills but how he treats people so I could get an autograph and a 1/1 picture for like $100.00 so I jumped at the chance so Lea and I just got in line. As we were walking up this guy walks up and just started talking with both of us by the name of Danny Stanton. Now Danny is Nicko's manager and also Dee Snider. As we spoke and got to know each other a bit all I will really say is Danny made our entire trip. I will not go into details but I will tell you right now Danny is everything I would want my Manager to be if I was famous. He is just a Top Shelf Human Being!! I feel so fortunate to be in that place and that time of my life because of the things he said and did for us. If you ever run into me in person I'll explain in detail.

     When we finally got up to Nicko cause he definitely had fans as he should he took out all the time we wanted and had such a wonderful visit with him. I'm here to confess he was better in person than I could ever ask for and I feel so privileged to spend 1 minute with him let alone 10. 

Nicko McBrain-Iron Maiden

     My son Cole and I got tickets from my wife Lea for X-Mas a few years back to see Iron Maiden in South Dakota and right before the end of the show Nicko was out on the stage and had his drum sticks and was getting ready to throw them out. He was all the way on the other side of the stage and he tossed one out a long ways the other direction and I told Cole to look tall and he started waving like crazy and not sure how it happend but Nicko turned and seen Cole all they way on the other side of the stage and no kidding threw that stick around 60 yards in the air directly at Cole and he caught it and Nicko and Cole went nuts together with 20K people cause it was all caught on camera and the entire crowd cheered with us. (Pictured below Cole with his stick)

     Cole Haynes-South Dakota Tour

     But like I said before Danny Stanton who used to be a Rockstar himself will always have a special place in my heart and its funny how small the world really is if you are living in it because what are the odds of him even talking with us but as we spoke he said some people's names and places where I had been and spoken to some of those same people. He and Nicko are special to me and always will be. Meeting Bruce was fine but you could tell it was just a business transaction to him and that is totally understandable because I can't believe what all they go through but I wish for him that he realizes for the mortal that for us this is a really really big deal. In closing I'd tell you all if you get chance to meet Nicko and by happen stance you meet Danny you will not be dissapointed. When it comes to ComiCon I would tell you all please get out of your comfort zone and take a look at the sights and sounds.. It's something for sure!!

Danny Stanton-Nicko McBrain's Manager