Kari Simpkins

Meet Kari Simpkins from Wilmington, Delaware.

I work the graveyard shift for a computer company and I'll be turning the big 40 in August. I've been an America fan for as long as I can remember. I have all of their music. Some on vinyl and some on CD. I've been trying to replace all my old vinyls with CD's. I've some success with that. I managed to find a record store in my area that will order imports. That is how I replaced: HOMECOMING, HATRICK, HOLIDAY, & HEARTS. I've been working on getting the rest when I have the time.

I've seen America in concert many many times. In fact, I lost count. Whenever they are in our area, I try to make sure to go. They have never been disappointing. A couple of years ago, they came to a place called the POLO CLUB. Seating was first come, so my sister and I got their early and planted ourselves on our blanket right up front. It was great. After the show, I thought I spotted a bus around the back. Sure enough it was their tour bus. Taking a chance (I get bolder as I get older, as I probably would of never taken the chance when I was younger), we walked back. Guess what, Gerry and Dewey were standing outside. There were not too many fans hanging around, so mustered up the courage to go and have the only thing I could find, which was my America T-shirt that I bought, autographed. Needless to say, I was star struck. Finally after all these years of following their music, attending their concerts, I actually got to meet them and talk to them. My sister stood in the back and watched (She know's what a big fan I've always been) and said I looked so cute. Dewey actually took and held my hand while he graciously signed my T-shirt. I've never washed that T shirt. It stays in my box of memorabilia.

How do you top that experience? Well a couple of years ago now, they were giving away tickets to a free concert right near my house at a place called the Big Kahuna. America was the headliner. The catch was you had to go to certain places and pick up the tickets. Everywhere I went they were sold out. Going home with my tail between my legs and depressed (I pride myself on almost never missing an area concert), my cousin called me. Her husband's cousin, is no less than Gerry's wife Kathy. They got free tickets and asked if I wanted to go. What do you think I said? I gathered up all the inserts to my CD's, just in case of a 2nd meeting. I was shocked when I got there. VIP seating and they all came out before the show, except Dewey. I sat and talked to Gerry for a few minutes. It was wonderful. Needless to say, I felt like a little kid at Christmas and it is something I will never forget.

I'll be an America fan forever and I look forward to when they come back to my area in Delaware.

Feel free to send your comments or questions to Kari.