Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Nov 11/05) - Hilda Cazon went to the George Jones concert in Edmonton bearing gifts.

It doesn't work for every fan, but it seems that her thoughtful gesture enabled her and her cousin Florence Cayen to meet the Possum backstage on Oct. 21.

Cazon and Cayen were standing in the concourse of Rexall Place when another fan pointed out George JonesO wife, Nancy Jones, who was helping out at one of the memorabilia stands prior to the concert

Cazon said she went over, introduced herself and showed Nancy the two souvenir Fort Simpson T-shirts that she brought for her and George. Cazon told Nancy about Fort Simpson and the Papal visit in 1997.

"She was really friendly. She was like your next door neighbour," Cazon said of the amicable chat.

Nancy offered to have Cazon and Cayen go backstage to meet her famous husband. They quickly accepted.

Generally it's only fan club members who get such a privilege, but Nancy made an exception for them, Cazon said. Sure enough, security allowed them through and they had their picture taken with The Possum.

Cazon presented him with the t-shirts. He smiled and shook their hands.

"He was happy. He said thank you twice," she said.

The encounter only lasted a few seconds, but it was a thrill for the Deh Cho cousins.

"I said, I can't believe we got to meet him," said Cazon. "I just couldn't get over it... it was like a dream."

They then took their seats for the concert and thoroughly enjoyed watching the 74-year-old belt out his numerous hits.

"I grew up listening to his songs," Cazon said.

"I like the gospel music that he came out with."

It was her first time seeing the country-and-western star live.

The opportunity came courtesy of Cazon'.html s son, Lance, who gave her two tickets to the venue as a birthday present.