My Bon Jovi Experience

One of the most sensational moments in my music career had to have been recording and performing on stage with the Bon Jovi Band during the Lost Highway Tour. Being musically connected to one of the greatest Rock bands in the world as they crossed over to Country Music was a tonic that fed the dreams of my younger self.

I met Obie O’Brien (Jon Bon Jovi’s recording engineer) in 1993. A relationship developed  and I got calls to work with Jon and Obie in various studios developing Jon’s songs which lead to my participation on his solo album “Destination Anywhere”.

When the band decided to launch the Lost Highway Tour, I was excited to be a part of the team. I was selected primarily for my pedal steel guitar playing and extensive background in country music. I was eager to immerse myself into the songs, adding 5-string banjo, mandolin, piano, guitar and singing harmonies.

The tour was met with great success, the album went Gold and Bon Jovi became the first rock band to successfully crossover into the country music audience. We toured worldwide and appeared in every major venue including the Today Show, Larry King, Ellen Degeneres, Madison Square Garden, opening the O2 in London, touring across the U.S.A., Canada, Mexico and South America, to name a few.

The band, as a unit, possessed an extremely strong work ethic. I would literally feel elevated a few inches off the stage by the soul power they each recognized in each other when the mix and energy were just right melding together with the songs. I was forever changed by this experience.

Around the third or fourth performance, Jon was looking for a way to open the Lost Highway show. I made a suggestion and he liked it. We presented the idea and after a few tweaks, you can see me opening the show on YouTube, just as the idea was proposed.

I am grateful for my opportunity to have been a part in Bon Jovi’s long and distinguished career. The people I come in contact with, wherever I may be, express admiration towards this chapter in my life. It appears it always will.

Thanks, Obie, Jon, Richie, David, Tico, Hugh, Bobby, Lorenza, and the whole Bon Jovi crew who gave me some street cred that still remains after all these years.

Wishing all the best,
Professor Kurt