Richie Says: HI, this is Richie Sambora, welcoming you online... with Richie Sambora! Happy Wednesday!

From Bob: Is Bon Jovi going to release a new album any time soon?
Richie Says: Not any time soon, it will probably be about one to two years because of Jon and my respective solo projects.

From andre@ism.com.br: I'm ERIKA from Brazil and really interest to know if you have plans to come here with your solo                                            tour. PLEASE COME WE LOVE YOUR MUSIC!!!
Richie Says: Thank you very, very much. I love being in Brazil, and hopefully after I'm done with this album. I didn't get to                      come there last time, so I hope to be there this time. It will probably be some time in the summer.

From Bonjovi@istar.ca: RICHIE....Your FAN CLUB...STRICTLY SAMBORA LOVES YOU!!!!
Richie Says: Thank you, thank you, very, very much. I love you, too.

From Joe: Do you still live in New Jersey?
Richie Says: Yes, I still live out in New Jersey. But I spend more time out here in LA due to my wife's filming schedule,                        which is quite time consuming.

From Rick: What was it like to play for President Clinton? Are you happy that he was reelected?
Richie Says: Yes, I am. I think that he has done a lot of good things for this country. It was quite an honor, something I can                      tell my kids, that I opened up for the president. And Bill was a nice guy, I enjoyed it.

From Bonjovi@istar.ca: WHEN WILL YOU TOUR CANADA ON YOUR SOLO TOUR RICH?
Richie Says: Directly after United States. Those things will come together after the record, which is where my focus is.

From asilach@warwick.net: Hi Richie! How old were you when you started showing musical talent, writing songs, playing                                               guitar, etc? My 5 year old son makes up rock songs and puts on rock concerts. Do you think                                               he's too young for guitar lessons?
Richie Says: I think I was about six when I started to show musical talent. I really didn't start guitar until I was thirteen. It                       depends on how big his hands are, when he can start guitar.

From Elvira@bcsnetwork.es: Hi Richie!I would like to know if you have ever dedicated a song to someone, if you prefer                                                  big audiences or small ones and if you will come to Spain if you tour Europe?
Richie Says: Yes, I will definitely come to Spain, I am looking forward to it. Mr. Blues Man was dedicated to Eric Clapton.                     I think that someone who tells you that they don't like big audiences probably can't draw them... I like both.

Congratulations to Wade Barth of Bismark, North Dakota. He's won a copy of Richie Sambora's "Stranger In Town" CD as well as Pepsi Live and Ticketmaster Online t-shirts from Pepsi World and Ticketmaster Online!

From Stranger@qni.com: Your solo album is my favorite album of all time. Do you have any fears about not being able to                                            match it with your new disc?
Richie Says: Thank you very much, I really appreciate that. Albums are a scrapbook, songs are pictures in time. No,                        matching it is not a question, being able to write and record a hundred percent is the question, so I'm not afraid                        of that.

From Beyond@UNI-BONN.DE: Did you ever think about playing in a movie like Jon?
Richie Says: No, it hasn't really crossed my mind. I think if it was a part that I thought I could really get a grip on, like Stevie                       Ray Vaughn in the Stevie Ray Vaughn story, maybe...

From Bonjovi@istar.ca: Remember STINKY LINKY and JOHNNY ROTTEN from Jersey.... they said to say hello                                          Rich!!!
Richie Says: Absolutely! Tell those guys I said yo! They used to come and see me play in clubs in Jersey all the time, they                      are very dear friends.

From Rick: how long have you played?
Richie Says: I started when I was thirteen and now I'm thirty-seven..so...

From andre@ism.com.br: Have you ever seen a Sambora site in the internet (There are some really interesting ones) ? Richie Says: No, I haven't yet. I'm just starting to get into the world of computers now that I'm off the road, and I'm really                        looking forward to it.

From Bonjovi@istar.ca: You are the greatest songwriter ever....has your new material changed from STRANGER IN                                          THIS TOWN??
Richie Says: Thank you very much, but there's a lot of competition out there...I think my music still has a rhythm and blues                       influence, and it's still quite romantic in a lot of ways. I'm still continuing to explore new thoughts and new music.

From DLocke@auracom.com: Hey Rich. I'm a big fan of you and of Bon Jovi. I caught your shows when you were in                                                   St.John's, Nfld. Spectacular. Anyway before I start babbling any further, my question is: if                                                   you had to pick one song that you have written, which one would be your favorite? Thanks                                                   for the great music and I am looking forward to your next solo album.
Richie Says: That can change on any given day. Right now I'm into the songs coming out on my new record, they are my                       favorites at the moment.

From tapirman@aol.com: Do you like Nirvana?
Richie Says: Yes, I do. Kurt Cobain was a true artist, he was the real thing.

From Sarah: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Richie Says: I like sports a lot, so I like to go to sporting events, or watch them on tv... I guess I don't have much free time, I                       like to keep busy.

From Sarah: Will you ever cut your hair?
Richie Says: I just did! Now I have a Beatle haircut, kind of like the early Beatles at the moment.

From Sarah: Do you have any kids?
Richie Says: No, I don't.

From sammyb@pacbell.net: Richie, how did the Life Beat gig come together? How long have you been associated with                                                those types of causes?
Richie Says: The charities that I do personally and that the band does are things that we run into, that people bring to us. A                        good friend of ours had a brother that died of AIDS, and that's how that came to our attention. Also through                         VH1.

From ctkeil94@cu-online.com: Richie i saw you in las vegas when cinderella toured with you. My grandma drove us 3                                                     hours to see you and waited in the car. When are you going to be touring in my new                                                     neighborhood champaign il bloomington/normal il? I would really like to take her to see                                                     you. She is really into you and ozzy and motley cure. yes my grandmother!!!
Richie Says: Grandmama! We love you! I'm not sure... I'll probably be in Chicago. America isn't the touring mecca it once                        was...

Congratulations to Angel Steadman of Mobile, Alabama. She's won an autographed copy of Richie Sambora's "Stranger In Town" CD as well as Pepsi Live and Ticketmaster Online t-shirts from Pepsi World and Ticketmaster Online!

From Aimee: I am a BIG fan of Bon Jovi and his band. Could you tell me what it's like working with him and being such                       good friends with him?
Richie Says: He's a great guy and we are very very close. We have a special relationship because we write songs together                      that touch a lot of people, so it's a lot of fun.

From Melissa@aol.com: I think you have an excellent voice and would make a great lead vocalist. Why did you decide to                                           be a guitarist in Bon Jovi instead of a lead singer in your own band?
Richie Says: Well, I'm a lead singer in my solo career, but it just happened to turn out that way. I was a lead singer before I                        got into Bon Jovi, Jon and I just have a great time.

From Melissa: Do fans hang around outside of your house? Jon said that he has had that problem for years.
Richie Says: Yes, they do sometimes. Not as much as Jon, I think I'm a more ominous figure.

From big-uns@aol.com: Hi! I just want to say hi to my favorite guy.
Richie Says: Hello! Thanks for me being your favorite guy... if I knew you, you might be my favorite girl... or guy.

From larry@realnet.net: Dude! What's it like being married to Heather Locklear
Richie Says: Excellent, dude!

From david@duke.edu: Will you be doing any shows as Hook and the Hitchhikers soon?
Richie Says: Not really soon, no, but they're fun shows. We just two recently here in Los Angeles.

From Joshua@ticketmaster.com: Hey Riel, Josh here at the Ticketmaster Open House. Are you in the building?
Richie Says: I am, Richie's not!

From Jamie: What is the craziest thing you have seen a fan do at a concert?
Richie Says: By golly, I don't remember! I kind of spend my time getting inside my own soul when I'm playing live... that's                     what I think reaches people, being more inward.

From Jamie: How do you feel about marijuanna being legalized for medical use?
Richie Says: I think it should be legalized for medical use, actually. If it's going to help people feel better that certainly need it,                      why not. If you can buy nicotine in every drug store in America, and no one can get off it...

Congratulations to Lavrenty Melovidov of St. Paul Island, Alaska. He's won an autographed copy of Richie Sambora's "Stranger In Town" CD as well as Pepsi Live and Ticketmaster Online t-shirts from Pepsi World and Ticketmaster Online!

From carrx019@tc.umn.edu: Are you ever going to do an unplugged album? I would buy it for sure!
Richie Says: Yes, I would love to, just waiting for the opportunity. I think it would be appropriate for my style.

From Elvira@bcsnetwork.es: What has been your most exciting moment during all these years of being a musician? P.S I                                                   love your album 'Stranger in this Town'.
Richie Says: There's too many exciting moments to just pick out one... your first number one single, your first stadium show,                       realizing you've made good... there are just too many. But thanks for asking.

From Kathy@compuserve.com: Hey Rich, is your new solo project going to be blues based or more rock and roll?
Richie Says: It will have it's base in rhythm and blues and have rock and roll in it... I'm writing a lot of acoustics, so there will                       be some acoustic songs.

From starr@innet.com: What is your most embarrasing moment onstage? PS - Tell Jon I love him!!!
Richie Says: When we were opening up for ZZ Top, after our first record, I walked out to start the show by myself, and my                        amplifier blew up. Then people started chucking things and chanting ZZ Top!

From toonces@vegas.com: Ritchie, are you a smoker? Because smoking is real, real bad.
Richie Says: No, I don't smoke cigarettes... I quit when I was a kid.

From michael717@ucla.edu: What early concert experiences really convinced you that guitar playing was in your future? Richie Says: I think all the early concerts that I've seen, and all the emotional guitar players. Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jeff                       Beck, guys who play with their heart and soul.

From CynMarz@aol.com: Hi, What muscians will be playing on your new album?
Richie Says: I'm not sure about all of them yet. I'm going to use some different guys this time, try some new things. Challenge                       myself with some new musical personalities.

From skimogue@alles.or.jp : Hello. This is Yoko. Are you going to play Christmas Charity Concert?
Richie Says: Yes, the Christmas Charity Concert is on, December 19th in Red Bank, New Jersey.

From carrx019@tc.umn.edu: You are my fav! Come and play for my B-Day in February.
Richie Says: I can't because I don't know where you live! P.S. I'm probably busy.

From pete@204.888: Did you vote yesterday?
Richie Says: Of course.

From Melissa@aol.com: What was it like to play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert?
Richie Says: It was a great honor, of course, playing with so many of my heroes, and just to be there, to introduce the whole                       thing to the world. I had a lot of fun.

From Bonjovi@istar.ca: It is SOOOOO cool to see you here Rich....thanks so much for taking the time to chat with your                                         'die hard' fans!!! We love ya Mook!!!
Richie Says: Thank you very, very much. I love you guys, too. It's a pleasure.

From carrx019@tc.umn.edu: Did your parents encourage a career in music or were their hearts set on college? I hope to be                                                  in a band some day. Any suggestions?
Richie Says: No, they really didn't encourage me. But they didn't really discourage me, either. I think they did have their                        hearts set on my going to school and having a more... conservative lifestyle. But, I think they're happy now.

From tartan@wchat.on.ca: What is the name of the new solo album and when will it be released?
Richie Says: Hopefully the release date will be in the Spring... I don't have a title yet... I should hold a contest.

From alphadelta@pewitch.com: Ritchie, If you hadn't become a musician, what do you think you'd be doing today?
Richie Says: Lola! How are ya! I have no idea.

Congratulations to Carol Andres of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. She's won an autographed copy of Richie Sambora's "Stranger In Town" CD as well as Pepsi Live and Ticketmaster Online t-shirts from Pepsi World and Ticketmaster Online!

From Tak181@aol.com: Richie... I have heard that it is better to learn on acoustic. Is this true? If so when would you                                           recommend getting an electric? Which did you learn on?
Richie Says: Acoustic is probably better to learn on, it's a little bit harder, so when you get to electric it's a breeze.

From LMobus@aol.com: Richie, Any chance that you will do a workshop in New York?
Richie Says: That's really tough to answer right now, I don't have any plans to.

From tim@freenet.com: Hi Richie! Do you and Heather ever get to spend time together? You both seem to be working                                          nonstop
Richie Says: All the time... so we just have to plan our work into our relationship and luckily we are both in positions where                       we have a little control over our own destiny.

From Stranger@qni.com: I know you're heavily into the blues these days, but what other bands do you listen to?
Richie Says: I'm a very diversified listener and I must buy at least ten new albums a week, of all genres. I keep current and                       retro. Quite a dichotemy.

From Elvira@bcsnetwork.es: Hi Richie! I would like to know how did Jon came out of his concert at Madrid because we                                                   were all pretty worried around here.
Richie Says: I think he just had a little bug, and we wanted to play for three hours and only got to play for an hour and a half,                       I think he just wasn't up to it that particular day. We're sorry and we'll make it up to you.

From stickpdk@madbbs.com: Any chance you'll be doing a cameo on Melrose Place?
Richie Says: hahahahahahahahahahahaHA! No.

From bjrules@ptdprolog.net: where is your favorite place to play live??
Richie Says: That's a rough one, every gig is very special. I try to look at every chance to be on stage as a privilege, and                       respect each and every moment.

From Lisa in New York: Does the band still keep in touch with Alec?
Richie Says: Yes, actually, yes we do. We all saw each other at Tico's wedding, and it was quite hunky dorey.

From scott@muskingum.edu: Personally or musically who has had the greatest influence on your life?
Richie Says: There are so many artists musically...all the emotional guitar players. Songwriters, Bob Dylan, John Lennon.                        Personally, my parents, my wife now and some of my good friends.

From neek@odyssee.net: Richie, I heard this song "Let's make it baby" on a tape that I got from a friend. You do some                                            amazing talk box stuff on it! Any chance you might consider releasing it? It's a great song man! Richie Says: Thank you. It is released on a special edition European edition release of These Days. I'm not sure you can find                       it anymore because we only released about a half million of them.

From Debra@aol.com: Does Heather know how to play the guitar?
Richie Says: No, she doesn't, but we do have sing alongs.

Congratulations to Robby Key of Loganville, Georgia. He's won a copy of Richie Sambora's "Interactive Guitar" CD-ROM from Pepsi World and Ticketmaster Online!

From Stranger@qni.com: Did you start over and write all new songs for your new solo album, or are some leftovers from                                           Stranger?
Richie Says: All new songs.

From Wendy: Richie, Right now I'm getting drunk on red wine and dreaming of you. You are the greatest artist since                          Madonna.
Richie Says: I'm getting drunk on white wine... but I'm dreaming of my wife... sorry to burst your bubble. : ) But dream on!

From carrx019@tc.umn.edu: Richie, what are you planning to do after you retire? Or are you not planning to ever retire? Richie Says: I'm not planning to ever retire. I hope to always be making music, and to be involved at least with bringing new                       music into the world and getting new artists into circulation. I hope to always be a part of that.

Richie Says: Thanks everybody, for being my pals on the internet, and all your questions, and I'm sure we'll do it again.

Thanks to all of you for participating and thanks again to Richie for being here. Check back here immediately after the chat for a very special announcement about our next chat here at Pepsi Live @ Ticketmaster Online!

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