ENTERTAINMENT INSIDER Backstage with The Arcada Theatre's Ron Onesti Life is about, "The Climb" As the air that I breathe is mostly surrounded by musical notes, I find that as I get older, I appreci- ate more and more outside of my musical comfort zone. Of course, Rock, R&B and Radio Hits will be my foundation, but Country (espe- cially Classic Country) will always have a place in my heart. My appreciation of World Mu- sic has been intensified by virtue of the many ethnic groups that I have worked with over the years. I have learned to enjoy the essence of Jazz and feel the emotion of the Blues. My Florentine mother taught me how to allow Classi- cal Music to penetrate my bones, and my World War II hero-father showed me the magic of Sinatra and Glenn Miller. More recently, I have been trying to become a bit more acquiesced to the current musical trends of today. I can honestly say that it is virtually impossible to get a true sense of what's happening out there just because of the count- less platforms and many sources music is coming from. But that's just me. I have had experiences with two of the biggest contemporaries out there today, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus. That gave me cause to foray into their lyrics. I was sur- prised to find, especially in Miley's case, that there were words and music that really hit home. A few years back, I received a call from the mother of a nine- year-old girl stricken with Muscular Dystrophy. Her heart-throb Justin Bieber was coming to the United Center and she wanted nothing else but to meet him. I did not know Justin personally, however I did know his manager. But with those types of things at that level, it is beyond challenging to make those experiences happen. You can only imagine the calls I re- ceived when Taylor Swift came to town! But when I learned of her story, that she was wheelchair bound, I said I would try. My friend, his manager, told me to go two hours before the show, give them my name, and I would be escorted in. The impossible just became possible! I met the little girl in person at the Michael Jordan statue in front of the United Center. She brought another little girl with her, also in a wheelchair. They both had these cute hats on, colorfully dressed and filled with excitement. We entered the arena, and no- ticed about two hundred other little girls in line who paid an exorbitant amount to get into the meet and greet. Once I gave the coordina- for my name, she put us off to the side. Hosting these meet and greets myself for countless enter- fainers, I know how these things work. This was probably going to be two hours of waiting and a quick, emotionless picture and out we go. Still an exciting experience for two little girls who would not let physical challenges get in the way of being cool little girls! The moment for Justin to en- ter the room came. Hundreds of phones shot up for photos and LIFE there he stood, evaluating this monstrous task of meeting and greeting hundreds of crazed fans. As he walked towards the throb- bing crowd, he looked over at us and made a sharp detour. He came up to me and gave me a warm bro-hug. Then he knelt down to the little girls and spent ten minutes with them, which seemed like a lifetime to these little bright- faced fans. Unrushed and sincere, he gave them a lasting memory and more importantly, made them feel that those wheelchairs were merely pieces of metal, unimportant and almost non-existent. Regardless of what is said in the press, I will always be a Justin fan because of the gift he gave to those two little giants. I met Miley at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremo- nies. I was there as a guest of Joan Jett who was getting inducted that night. She happened to be sitting at my table and we began a conversation because I had worked with her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus on several occasions. She was at a more controversial time in her career and when I said that my young daughter idolized her. She Presented by Onesti Entertainment responded, "DON'T let your daugh- ter follow me, I am not what you would call a positive influence,". Pretty profound. But then I see her develop into a more complex superstar with some really great performances. And her song, "The Climb" holds prob- ably one of the most inspirational messages in contemporary music today. "There's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move Always gonna be an uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb." It's a song that tells the youth of today not to focus as much on the destination, it's about life's jour- ney. And it's going to be tough, but worth it. And when the time comes for these mega-superstars to play 1000-seat venues like mine as it has for Arena acts of yesterday, I will welcome them and thank them for the positive effect they had on the youth. These days they don't get that compliment very much. I wonder what Taylor Swift will be like in her 60s when SHE head- lines The Arcada! ARCADA (97) YEARS If you enjoy reading this feature, please let me know! I want to see who is out there! Check out the ever-changing, incredible lineup at the historic Arcada Theatre by calling 630.962.7000 or at www.oshows.com ENTERTAINMENT INSIDER Backstage with The Arcada Theatre's Ron Onesti Life is about , " The Climb " As the air that I breathe is mostly surrounded by musical notes , I find that as I get older , I appreci- ate more and more outside of my musical comfort zone . Of course , Rock , R & B and Radio Hits will be my foundation , but Country ( espe- cially Classic Country ) will always have a place in my heart . My appreciation of World Mu- sic has been intensified by virtue of the many ethnic groups that I have worked with over the years . I have learned to enjoy the essence of Jazz and feel the emotion of the Blues . My Florentine mother taught me how to allow Classi- cal Music to penetrate my bones , and my World War II hero - father showed me the magic of Sinatra and Glenn Miller . More recently , I have been trying to become a bit more acquiesced to the current musical trends of today . I can honestly say that it is virtually impossible to get a true sense of what's happening out there just because of the count- less platforms and many sources music is coming from . But that's just me . I have had experiences with two of the biggest contemporaries out there today , Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus . That gave me cause to foray into their lyrics . I was sur- prised to find , especially in Miley's case , that there were words and music that really hit home . A few years back , I received a call from the mother of a nine- year - old girl stricken with Muscular Dystrophy . Her heart - throb Justin Bieber was coming to the United Center and she wanted nothing else but to meet him . I did not know Justin personally , however I did know his manager . But with those types of things at that level , it is beyond challenging to make those experiences happen . You can only imagine the calls I re- ceived when Taylor Swift came to town ! But when I learned of her story , that she was wheelchair bound , I said I would try . My friend , his manager , told me to go two hours before the show , give them my name , and I would be escorted in . The impossible just became possible ! I met the little girl in person at the Michael Jordan statue in front of the United Center . She brought another little girl with her , also in a wheelchair . They both had these cute hats on , colorfully dressed and filled with excitement . We entered the arena , and no- ticed about two hundred other little girls in line who paid an exorbitant amount to get into the meet and greet . Once I gave the coordina- for my name , she put us off to the side . Hosting these meet and greets myself for countless enter- fainers , I know how these things work . This was probably going to be two hours of waiting and a quick , emotionless picture and out we go . Still an exciting experience for two little girls who would not let physical challenges get in the way of being cool little girls ! The moment for Justin to en- ter the room came . Hundreds of phones shot up for photos and LIFE there he stood , evaluating this monstrous task of meeting and greeting hundreds of crazed fans . As he walked towards the throb- bing crowd , he looked over at us and made a sharp detour . He came up to me and gave me a warm bro - hug . Then he knelt down to the little girls and spent ten minutes with them , which seemed like a lifetime to these little bright- faced fans . Unrushed and sincere , he gave them a lasting memory and more importantly , made them feel that those wheelchairs were merely pieces of metal , unimportant and almost non - existent . Regardless of what is said in the press , I will always be a Justin fan because of the gift he gave to those two little giants . I met Miley at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremo- nies . I was there as a guest of Joan Jett who was getting inducted that night . She happened to be sitting at my table and we began a conversation because I had worked with her dad , Billy Ray Cyrus on several occasions . She was at a more controversial time in her career and when I said that my young daughter idolized her . She Presented by Onesti Entertainment responded , " DON'T let your daugh- ter follow me , I am not what you would call a positive influence , " . Pretty profound . But then I see her develop into a more complex superstar with some really great performances . And her song , " The Climb " holds prob- ably one of the most inspirational messages in contemporary music today . " There's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move Always gonna be an uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose Ain't about how fast I get there Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb . " It's a song that tells the youth of today not to focus as much on the destination , it's about life's jour- ney . And it's going to be tough , but worth it . And when the time comes for these mega - superstars to play 1000 - seat venues like mine as it has for Arena acts of yesterday , I will welcome them and thank them for the positive effect they had on the youth . These days they don't get that compliment very much . I wonder what Taylor Swift will be like in her 60s when SHE head- lines The Arcada ! ARCADA ( 97 ) YEARS If you enjoy reading this feature , please let me know ! I want to see who is out there ! Check out the ever - changing , incredible lineup at the historic Arcada Theatre by calling 630.962.7000 or at www.oshows.com