I have been a tremendous fan of Ann-Margret all of my life. The fact that you have found this page proves you are as well. Welcome. Thank you for visiting.

Several years ago I was surfing the World Wide Web looking for any sites related to Ann-Margret. For most of us, the web was a brand new frontier to explore, and when I didn't find a web site honoring Ann-Margret, I soon got an account with a local internet service provider and within a day the first Ann-Margret site was born.

I've always said my site might not be the flashiest fan page in cyberspace, but it does have the distinction of being the first site devoted to Ann-Margret. Through the years I have met some interesting people because of this site. Since my last name is Smith, people sometimes ask me if I am related to Ann-Margret. I've also been asked many times how a person could get in touch with her. Still, others write who have actually met Ann-Margret, and all of them have nice things to say about her. Through the internet I have also met a few people associated with Ann-Margret who have been very kind to me. I won't mention their names because I respect their privacy, but they know who they are. Like the Smiths, they are very special people. Some of the things they've done for me, I simply can't repay. It reminds me that there is still a lot of good in the world, and the cup is always half-full. I grew up in a South Chicago suburb and my name isn't Sabrina. Sabrina was the name of one of my black Labrador Retrievers. Growing up I learned Ann-Margret did a lot of growing up in the Calumet Region as well. People from that part of the country are very proud. That being said, let me just say Ann-Margret couldn't of hailed from anywhere else. I know she was born in Sweden, but she has plenty of the Midwest in her. We are very proud of her. Another question I frequently receive is if I've ever met Ann-Margret. Unfortunately, the answer was always no. When I found out she was coming to town in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, my only two questions were when and where? I have always wanted to see her perform live.

Never say never.

A very nice man closely involved with the Smiths got me a backstage pass. The show was fabulous. If you get a chance to see her live, please do so. After the show I was a little confused as to where to go to get backstage. Many of the ushers and security on hand simply didn't believe me. I can't say I blame them. But you know, it didn't really bother me. I had just seen Ann-Margret perform live, which was something I never thought I'd see. I hadn't felt that good in a long time. I decided to back away from the crowd just so I could possibly catch a glimpse of Ann-Margret as she exited the building and got into her limo. Then, a pretty young lady walked out the backstage exit and called my name.

I quickly answered her and she motioned for me to come through the crowd. She then told me to follow her, and she took me and my wife back into the building through the backstage door. My personal contact had come through just as he promised, although I never doubted him. He had spoken with Mr. Roger Smith, and now, Mr. Smith was asking for me!

The nice young lady led us through the back of the building and told us Ann-Margret would be right out. She told us they had to take special care of her because they had a small problem with security the night before. Within ten seconds, Mr. Smith walked through the door carrying his dog. Right behind him was the lady herself. She was beautiful.

Lucky for me, an old school friend from Chicago was also waiting backstage and Ann-Margret spoke with her first. This gave me a little time to come back to earth. I talked with Mr. Smith a little bit and he was extremely kind. I pet his dog and he told me it was the same dog from the movie Any Given Sunday. I looked at my wife and she was noticeably more nervous than I've seen her in years. She knew better than anyone what this night had meant to me. I remember I asked her, "Hey, do you know who that is over there? That's Ann-Margret." Imagine idolizing someone for more than 30 years, then one day she is standing right in front of you. How wonderful after all of these years your paths finally cross, in the city known as the Crossroads of America. The world is vast. The world is small. Somewhere in between is the place where dreams come true. This special corner of the earth is the place where old dogs never die, summer vacation goes on forever, and nice guys finish first. I watched as Ann-Margret recounted old times with her school friend. Watching her, I remembered the young lady who first got my attention with her role as Ann-Margrock on the Flintstones. I remembered how happy I was when I found out Ann-Margrock was a real person. I remembered her as the swim instructor who stole the show in Viva Las Vegas. This was also the lady who threw Roger Daltrey through the mirror in Tommy. I can only say the way I felt at that moment was similar to how I felt each time the doctor handed me one of my newborn babies for the first time. I've always said that feeling is like getting a small sliver of heaven handed to you. You know at the time the feeling will only be temporary, but in that instance you feel as though you are walking next to God. It is a feeling that never totally leaves you. That presence is with you for the rest of your life. I have several children so I know the feeling well. Soon thereafter, Ann-Margret finished talking with her friend and she turned around and smiled at me. Mr. Smith then introduced her to me. I extended my hand but instead I received a hug. I told her she looked great.

Ann-Margret was the sweetest person I've ever met. We talked about hometowns and kids. We talked about dogs and where we went to school. I introduced her to my wife and coincidently my wife has the same name as her step-daughter. She asked how long we've been married, then told us how long she and Mr. Smith had been married. She signed my copy of her autobiography, which will always be a treasured trophy to our family, for she made it out to all of us. Then we talked about kids again. She made us feel so special.

We were really the last people she spoke with, and as we headed towards the backstage exit, we almost felt as though we were dreaming. In front of us were Mr. Smith and Ann-Margret. Behind us was Mr. Gary Sandy, who played Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in the play. In front of the Smiths and behind Mr. Sandy were police officers.

Security helped Ann-Margret and Mr. Smith to their limo. As me and my wife stood on the landing next to the backstage door, the car pulled away and Ann-Margret waved good-bye to us. It was a night I will never forget, and one worth waiting 30+ years for. I would have gladly waited another 30+ years. I've always said on the eighth day God made little red-haired girls. I thank him everyday for giving us Ann-Margret.



Stage Exit