How did you meet Jason, and when ?
I saw Jason play in Flotsam at a river bottom party, and some clubs. I thought he was really cute. I knew Ed through his brother, Tim and knew Kelly Smith too. I remember the night we met very well. They were playing a show at a bar called The Bootlegger. I walked in and saw Jason on stage, and I think we made eye contact, I think he said something like, there's some REALLY good looking girls in the audience and looked right at me when he said it. I was flattered. After that set, he came over and said, "Would you ever consider going on a date with me sometime?". Of course, I said, sure! That's how we met!

Where would you go out, and what did you do?
We mostly went to Flotsam shows. We didn't go out a lot because back then, money was tight and I was in college. He spent most of his free time writing or practicing, so time was limited, too. Sometimes we went to The Bootlegger and The Mason Jar, because Jas got in free. We just hung out a lot at the Flotsam apartment on Camelback Road. We drank a lot, especially Nancy (Ed's girlfriend, who passed away recently of cervical cancer) and I!! We used to get yelled at by Jason and Ed to keep the noise down . It was funny!

Jason is from a Christian family, was this something you could notice on him?
No. I didn't know that Jason's family was so religious. I do know that he really wanted a family and children. I remember he dated a girl who had a daughter by another friend of mine, and he loved her dearly, even after they broke up.

Did you ever meet his family? If so, how were they?
No. I never met his family.

At that time, did he have any other jobs besides playing in his band?
Yes. He had a job picking up electrical waste at different construction sites when we were dating. I remember him waiting outside my house EVERY weekday morning in that huge truck waiting to see me off to school! Every day he had at least one rose for me. It was and still is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me! I really miss his thoughtfulness! But I was only 17 and not ready for a very serious relationship. I always wondered where he got those roses! I think he stole them from my neighbor's house!

How would a normal day be for Jason's back in the Flotsam & Jetsam days?
A pretty normal day for Jason would be to go to work, come back to the apt on Camelback, and do his promoting, have a beer or so, maybe practice and go to bed. He was the hardest worker I ever met, especially when it came to the band promotion stuff. I remember him writing every metal magazine and promoter possible, just to get some exposure for the band. He did tons of articles and interviews and basically forced the Flotsam name out there.

How much time did he spend on the music?
He spent nearly all of his free time doing promo stuff. But he also worked really hard at the music. They practiced a lot back then, so his real free time was very limited
Did he feel that he would be able to make a living of his bass playing?
I don't believe that Jason ever REALIZED that he would make it. He worked so hard at it. I knew that he was special and my heart always said he would go far. I don't think he could fathom back then just what was going to happen and just how famous he would be.

Which expectations did he have for the future, what was his plans before Metallica came into the picture?
He always wanted to do something with music. I'm sure he never expected in his wildest dreams what would come. I think the only thing he wanted back then was to make Flotsam the biggest band around. I do know he wanted a family and children also. I think he was mostly concentrating on day to day stuff, the next gig etc.

Was Metallica among his favourites at that time? Did he say anything about the Metallica, or did he comment them?
Oh yes. Metallica was his favorite at the time. Motorhead too. I remember making out with him in his truck outside my Dad's house and listening to Metallica! I had the import of Queensryche's first EP at the time and he liked them too. I can't listen to Metallica's first album anymore, it brings back too many memories! I believe he had a Metallica sticker in the back window of that truck, too.
On this subject. I believe Flotsam opened for Metallica at the Bootlegger one night. Jason was psyched! The band came over to the apt on Camelback, and I'll never forget, this girl who did Flotsam's photography (Tina) came running in the apartment crying. Some guy had beat her up or something. All the guys and me and Nancy ran out to the parking lot. At the time every guy had long hair and I remember just hair flying everywhere. I think that guy got pummeled by everyone! It was an interesting night, to say the least!

Do you know how his reactions were when he got the Metallica job?
I have no idea what his reactions were except what I've heard from mutual friends. We had broken up right before that. I heard he was extremely happy about it.

What went to your mind when you heard that he had joined Metallica?
Let's see, what went through my mind? I KNEW IT! I knew he would make it big. I was very, very happy for him. I thought, he has no worries now. And I believe I was a bit sad, because I knew I wouldn't see him much anymore.

How do you think Jason's life is now when he have left Metallica?
13. I hope much more relaxed and happy! That is all I've ever wished for him. I don't want to comment on how I've heard they (Metallica) treated him. But I have heard stories and I have been bummed for him. I hope he gets on with his life and has a family and is healthy. I also hope that he continues his plans for other projects. There are millions of fans still on his side who want more! He's above all a devoted musician and one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He didn't have the creative control over the music he wanted, I do know that, and being a musician, not having any say in matters will get the better of you eventually. I am glad he left and is free to pursue and control his own music.

Any good stories to share?
I wish only the best for Jason. There's never been anyone in my life who has treated me like he did. He still means a great deal to me. I'll leave you the stories of our first date and the last time I saw him. All others are XXX rated..Just kiddin!
He came over to my parent's house, met my Dad and, this was my first REAL date, so I was nervous. I opened the door and he was dressed in all white! Not exactly a Jason color! A white leather jacket white jeans and boots, and a nice dress shirt. I was totally impressed and I thought, WOW he must like me to go out of his way like this! We went to a resturaunt chain called CoCo's and had dinner, something like chicken, real simple. I remember he kissed me in the middle of dinner! I was totally embarrassed! But it was really sweet. Then we went to The Bootlegger for a few drinks. I'll never forget Bill (the owner) coming up to me while Jason was in the bathroom and telling me, 'you must be REALLY special for Jason to get dressed up like that'! It made me feel really good! We sat at a booth and held hands and kissed. One of the owners kids had one of those gooey things you throw at a wall and it sticks and crawls down it. He adored Jason, and Jas played with him for awhile. It was a great night and he took me home, where we talked and kissed for a long time. He was a total gentleman, opened my door and everything. A perfect evening!
The last time I saw Jason was backstage at the And Justice For All Tour. I waited and talked to Lars and Kirk for what seemed like hours back there. We were just about to leave when I heard, "Lauren!" I guess he was behind me for a while but didn't have his contacts in, so he didn't see me. I believe he was married at the time. I turned around and he literally swooped me off my feet and just hugged me for like a half an hour and told me how nice it was to hold me again! I asked him to sign my pass and he laughed..."you're kidding, right?" Then, his girlfriend, (wife?) came over and asked him if he was going on the bus or driving with her, and he said,"not now"! I was blown away, because I didn't know what his reaction would be to seeing me again. It was the best hug I've ever had (and the longest). It seemed to last forever!