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September, 2001 Fan of the Month: Lisa Ann Matits Congratulations, you've won a signed Southside Johnny poster!  I'm truly honored to be fan of the
month, and I'd like to thank my mom for nominating me. After
all, she is the reason I am such a huge Jukes fan today. I've
been exposed to Southside and the Jukes ever since I was born in
1982. My earliest memories of the Jukes are listening and
dancing to Jukes records as a tiny Lisa while my mom cleaned the
house. I attended my first show at the age of three. So far, in
my nineteen years, I've been to 26 shows, and I jump at the
chance to get to any show I can. These times have been the
happiest in my life, and the memories of all these times bring
me insane amounts of joy and comfort. All I ever have to do is
think of the Jukes and all the good times I've experience
because of them to make everything feel all right.It's not that easy being a young Jukes fan. At shows, I'm always used to calculating whether or not I'm the youngest one there. The hardest part was always not being able to go to a show cause of my age. This seems to finally be behind me now! The fun part about being a young fan is how many times I've heard from people my age, "who?" I love answering the most famous question among friends and family: “Who are you going to see now?” "That same group I always do." Some people just don't get it. Others do. Over the past year, I've shared many shows with my boyfriend, Nick, who I've converted to being a Jukes fan. I myself met a friend a few years back at a show, and was converted to being a huge Bon Jovi fan as well. I always grew up with Springsteen and Bon Jovi music, but Southside was always the main man in our house, our car, and wherever else we went! This past Memorial day I experienced a dream come true as Bruce joined the guys at the Pony. I had been to many Bruce shows, but had waited to see the union on stage in person for a very long time. There are too many memories to talk about, but some of my favorites include: Celebrating my first New Years Eve with the Jukes this past New Year's and hearing "I'm so Anxious" for the first time live that night, which I had waited for my whole life, celebrating with the Jukes on my 18th birthday, Jukestock, and the CBS taping. I've done it all: stood on a chair all bundled at the meadowlands parking lot, got lost in the city on the fourth of July in a 100+ heat walking around aimlessly, waited at a bus stop in freezing December for more than six hours to catch a bus to the city, and walked in a windy downpour to get to a taping. All for the Jukes. But is always worth it, and always will be, I'd do anything for a Jukes fix. It's was an honor to do all those things or it is to wait anywhere for however long it takes or stand for no matter how long, just to be in the front row. It's all about the music, the people, and the feeling. I am always amazed by the band, no matter how many shows I see, I will always continue to be, as each show is so unique and very special. From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank Southside Johnny for being so kind to me the first time I met him and so gracious all the other times I've stopped to say hello. It's always great to stand there speechless and in awe. I'm always amazed. To all the other Jukes who I've met and who have been so kind - thank you. And to Bobby, thanks for always making me smile, and always being so sweet to me each and every time I say hi. To my mom - look what you created! If I could bring the Jukes to you, I would. To Nick - I love sharing fun Jukes times with you. To Linda and Matt - thank you so very much for letting me be your little Jukes buddy so many times so that I can experience shows I otherwise wouldn't have been able to. And of course to everyone, thank you again for the honor of being chosen Fan of the Month. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are a huge, wonderful part of my life, and they forever will be. I cherish all the past memories, and look forward to all the great Jukes times to come! Peace, Lots of Love, and Jukes!
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