Sad event leads to a happy occasion meeting

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Feb 22, 2000 Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Submitted By: Y Daughter of victim of car crash meets Backstreet Boys. Related Article: Prized time for mom, daughter ends in loss By Miriam Longino Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer It had been a weekend of extreme highs. For Renee Poisson, Saturday night's bouyant Backstreet Boys concert was a time of closure and healing. Eleven weeks after losing her mother, Sheila, in a car accident following the group's Dec. 5 show in Florida, the Dahlonega 17-year-old was showered with hugs and condolences by the singing idols in an emotional meeting backstage before the show. The Poissons' tragedy gained widespread attention because the mother and daughter had won the trip to the Florida show from Atlanta Top 40 radio station Star 94. Saturday's meet-and-greet lasted about 10 minutes as all five Backstreet Boys - dressed in the action-hero bodysuits and microphone headsets they wore in the opening number - chatted with Renee and a small entourage of family and friends. The group included Kim Gatewood and Jamie Brown, the mother and daughter who were riding with the Poissons when the accident occurred. "We were shocked when we heard about it and wanted to do everything possible to make it up to her," said Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell, after posing for a picture with Renee. "I told her I had prayed for her." The mood was mostly upbeat as the singing stars mugged for pictures and signed autographs. "It was really exciting, what I expected and more," Renee said after the encounter. "You could tell they actually cared." Jive Records promotion man James Heathfield, who was with the contest winners the weekend of the accident in Florida, arranged the meeting and also provided 10 fourth-row tickets. The Backstreet Boys, he said, "absolutely wanted to do this. It was a priority for us." Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: utilizera Submitted by: pasparty Submitted by: Shawn Submitted by: Louise Submitted by: James Submitted by: Shawn Submitted by: Edward Submitted by: James Submitted by: Ann Submitted by: Eugene Click here to see more comments. Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet.net's open forum on the engagements: Good, Bad or Both? Prev Item: Generation Gap