A birthday kiss for Bret Michaels (photos, video)

Bret Michaels wasn't the only one to have a blast on his 45th birthday Saturday evening at Kewadin Casino.

The DreamMakers Theatre was filled to the brim with fans young and not-so young all trying their best to grab the attention of the Rock of Love star.

A master showman with enough charisma to knock any skeptic flat on their back, Michaels worked it better than most performers half his age.

He was even gracious enough to invite members of the media on stage for a rock star view as we shot photos and video.

See the bouncy video below shot by SooToday.com's Tyler Simpson.

First gaining notoriety as the front man for Poison which exploded onto the rock scene in the mid-80s, Michaels dug deep into his musical repertoire opening the sold-out performance with Talk Dirty To Me.

The set list was saturated by Poison hits, including Look What the Cat Dragged In, Your Mama Don't Dance, Something To Believe In, Unskinny Bop, Every Rose Has Its Thorn and Fallen Angel.

Bittersweet from his 2003 solo release Songs of Life, Driven from his third solo album Freedom of Sound and covers of Sweet Home Alabama and Knockin' On Heaven's Door rounded the evening out before his encore performance of Poison's 1988 smash hit Nothin' But a Good Time.

Although I got the impression Michaels would have loved to have invited all 1,500 attendees to the back stage meet and greet following the show, only 33 lucky audience members were allowed to the intimate gathering.

Hugs, kisses and autographs were eagerly accepted.

As was a phone call to Kyle Gravelle's girlfriend, Jessica Peller.

It may have been Bret Michaels' birthday, but it was the fans who received a truly unforgettable gift.

And the four young men of Nixon Dixon will ride high for quite some time after their once in a lifetime experience of opening for Bret Michaels.



Click here to watch using Windows Media Player.