ANNA GIRL DISPLAYS MONKEE LOVE

A radiant smile lit up 6-year-old Atlanta Foskey's face as 1960s-era teen idol Davy Jones kissed her cheek.

"I love it," Foskey said after meeting her favorite singer. In front of her parents, she vowed never to wash the cheek again.

The rural Anna, Ill., girl received a huge surprise Saturday night when she learned she would get to meet Jones.

Her parents, Melinda and Wade Foskey, brought their daughter to Cape Girardeau to see Jones perform at the Family Weekend concert at Houck Stadium.

Prior to the concert, Atlanta was greeted in a backstage tent by Jones, who became famous as a member of The Monkees band.

"That's a big name to carry," Jones said after being introduced to Atlanta.

Jones signed a poster, gave her a Christmas CD of his songs and a Davy Jones T-shirt. The band's drummer, Sandy Gennaro, gave two drum sticks to the girl.

The meeting lasted only a few minutes, but for Atlanta, the thrill remained.

"I can't believe it," she said. "I love it."

Atlanta has been hooked on the singer for the past two years. She first saw him on reruns of "The Monkees" television show. She also remembers seeing him on an episode of "The Brady Bunch" sitcom.

"He sings good," she said.

Today's teen idols don't compare. "I like him better than all the rest," she said.

Atlanta knows all the songs on The Monkees Greatest Hits CD.

Her parents asked university President Dr. Ken Dobbins for help in arranging the meeting after their daughter underwent eyelid surgery this summer.

Another fan, Anne O'Reilly, the 38-year-old president of The Monkees Maniacs fan club in Australia and New Zealand, made the trip to Cape Girardeau to see the singer.

O'Reilly, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, said her group has about 100 members. She has been to over 100 of his concerts and has met Jones on several occasions. Saturday's concert was the first for her in four years.

O'Reilly said the long trip was worth it. "I like the music," she said.