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20 Years of Stars on Ice: 1995

Although Kurt did appear as a guest star partly through the 1994 US tour, 1995 was Kurt's first year as a full-time member of the US cast. 1995 had some highly memorable group numbers. Five Minutes for Icing highlighted some of the greatest footwork skaters of that era by strapping microphones to their skates and setting them loose to one-up each other on the ice, with the sounds of their blades on the ice providing the main audio accompaniment for the number. The Rolling Stones finale is frequently cited as one of people's favorite group numbers ever in Stars on Ice, with the skaters having a great deal of fun playing with the Mick Jagger persona. However, what Kurt fans probably remember most about the 1995 tour - at least the Canadian one - is what happened during retakes of the Toronto show. Microphone in hand, Kurt was keeping the audience entertained while they set up for retakes by taking questions from the audience. He got to a little girl, who asked him "Are you married?" He skated away musing "Am I married...", and then called for his then-girlfriend Sonia Rodriguez, who was sitting in the audience, to stand up. Then, to the shock and delight of the 16,000 fans in the arena (and probably Sonia herself), Kurt dropped to one knee and proposed. After nodding her acceptance, Sonia came down to rinkside for a kiss, and was whisked off backstage by Kurt, who scooped her into his arms and skated off. Scott Hamilton came out soon after, whooping in joy as he confirmed to the crowd that Sonia had accepted. It was an utterly Kurt moment - unplanned and spontaneous, yet totally heartfelt and genuine. And, thanks to the fact that there were TV cameras in the arena for the CSOI broadcast, it was a moment captured for all time.

US Tour:

Cast:
  • Scott Hamilton
  • Kurt Browning
  • Paul Wylie
  • Kristi Yamaguchi
  • Katarina Witt
  • Rosalynn Sumners
  • Christine Hough & Doug Ladret
  • Ekaterina Gordeeva & Sergei Grinkov
  • Elena Bechke & Denis Petrov
  • Natalia Annenko & Genrich Sretenski
1994-1995 Tour Program

Kurt Programs & Group Numbers/Video Downloads:
Please right-click and download, do not play directly off my site What they said then (articles)...



Five Minutes for Icing

Hey Pachuco, Here I Am
Canadian tour:

Cast:
  • Scott Hamilton
  • Kurt Browning
  • Brian Orser
  • Kristi Yamaguchi
  • Josee Chouinard
  • Isabelle Brasseur & Lloyd Eisler
  • Natalia Annenko & Genrikh Sretenski
  • Christine Hough & Doug Ladret
  • Ekaterina Gordeeva & Sergei Grinkov
  • Elena Bechke & Denis Petrov
1995 CSOI Tour Program

Kurt Programs & Group Numbers/Video Downloads:
Please right-click and download, do not play directly off my site What they said then (articles)...



Rolling Stones Finale
The fans speak...

1995 Stars on Ice Madison WI: The number: All Alone. Memories of 1994 still linger: Lillehammer, and a bad 1st season as pro. But, he landed a HUGE Triple Axel during All Alone. People went crazy! It was a preview of good things to come. Afterwards, met up with him at the skaters hotel. Always gracious & funny. Thanks for the great skating Kurt!
- Sita Ismangil

Right after Stars on Ice at Maple Leafs Gardens, they were setting up to do re-takes of some of the skaters for the TV show that was to be broadcast later in the year. While Kurt was waiting, someone asked him if he was married. He then pointed out Sonia and asked her if she would married him in front of the entire audience that was still there... And she said yes!!!

Then his Olympic moment last year running with the torch in Mississauga with his son. That was so cute. And he is even in the Torch Relay book of a picture of him with his son.
- Suzanne Butchereit

I have been following figure skating faithfully since 1994. The first time that I saw Kurt perform live was on February 14, 1995, in Kansas City, Missouri. After seeing Kurt perform live for the first time, I was hooked! Kurt skated to All Alone and Blues Berry Hill. No matter what has gone in my life, one thing that has remained constant since becoming a Kurt fan, is that no matter what kind of mood I am in, as soon as I see Kurt skate, the world seems okay, if just for the few minutes that he is on the ice. I have been chronically ill for over 10 years. Kurt's skating has gotten me through some pretty hard times. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to see Kurt perform live several times. I have loved every routine that Kurt has performed! He is in my opinion, the greatest skater that has ever graced the ice! A few of my favorite routines of Kurt's are Brick House, Peace Frog, Serenade to Sonia, Antares and Nyah. Every year I look forward to seeing what new and exciting programs Kurt comes up with. I can honestly say that my life would not be as bright without all of the wonderful memories of seeing Kurt skate in Stars on Ice!
- Michelle Sailler, Prairie Village, Kansas



Day 5: 1994 | Back to intro | Day 7: 1996