Kristi Lynn Gibson To Wed Bret Michaels?

Surviving a brush with death in April has given Bret Michaels a wake-up call.

The rocker and reality show star told "Early Show" co-anchor Erica Hill Wednesday he's taking another look at his relationship with Kristi Lynn Gibson, his on-and-off girlfriend of 16 years and mother of their two daughters, Raine Elizabeth, 10, and Jorja Bleu, 5.

There have been reports they're engaged, but Michaels said it's not true -- at least, not yet.

"No. It's a work in progress," he told Hill. "What happened is she has a beautiful promise ring. A promise ring, a friendship ring with benefits. So, it's -- that's what we call it. But, yes, is it a work in progress. Absolutely. She's a beautiful woman. She's strong. I love her. We respect each other. And I think that's the start of a great relationship."

Other new doors are opening for Michaels, whose career was revived with the help of reality TV.

With his undying love for music and his amazing comeback story, Michaels is being eyed by "American Idol" to become a judge. The Poison frontman told Hill it just might happen.

"Here's the talk, what happens is I went back on 'Idol,' I said 'thank you' to three generations of awesome fans. It was the only standing ovation of the night, you know, for everyone that was out there. It was a great feeling," he said. "You know what it was? It was very real. I walked out, no big hype, same way I always walk out, I played real music. Everyone wants real music. That's why pop music shows are being canceled. They want to see Dave Matthews, Bret Michaels and Lynyrd Skynyrd. ... We'll see. We're working on that."

Bret Michaels: The Resilient Rocker

If he doesn't land the "Idol" gig, he has his own reality TV show in the works.

Michaels, whose starred in hit reality TV shows, vh1's "Rock of Love" and Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" will be taking on his own reality TV show this fall called "Life As I Know It".

"Well, here's the thing, with 'Rock of Love,' the first time that came around, I had done other music shows 'Nashville Star,' I love being around music, and I had never done a dating show where you're out and it's that kind of exposure. The first time it came around, I had just broken up with Kristi."

Michaels said he initially turned the show down because he felt it was too scripted, but then when he was told he had more freedom to do what he wanted, that's just what he did.

"There was a lot of debauchery, fun, a lot of sucking face and a lot of face suck, and it was good. I had a great time. The truth, at the end, the girls on that show 'Rock of Love' made it great. I had a great time doing it. I was ready to move on." he said.

Now, viewers will see a new side of Michaels with "Life As I Know It."

"What's great about it, I get a can to show everything that goes on in my life," he said.

As a type 1 diabetic since he was 6 years old, Michaels' lifetime struggle to overcome the disease as well as a brain hermorrage and hole in his heart has furthered his mission.

"That's why I fought so hard on 'Apprentice' to make it work, to win it. It's real to me. Having the brain hemorrhage, certain things happen, even the comedy of errors that is my life. There's a lot of things that happen that seem to come out, but I struggled through it and make it," he said.

Michaels will be the first recipient of the American Diabetes Association's prestigious Chair's Citation Award, which recognizes what the organization calls "the outstanding accomplishments of individuals, corporations, institutions or organizations who have demonstrated significant dedication and commitment in their local market and have had a positive impact in advancing the mission of the American Diabetes Association."

Michaels has traveled a long and sometimes difficult road to success. First as lead singer of Poison, selling over 20 million albums, and most recently as a reality TV star who nearly died at the height of his new-found fame.

Throughout the late '80s and early '90s glam rockers Poison were one of the biggest of the world led by Michaels, hairspray and rock music struck a chord with fans.

But in the mid-'90s the band fell on hard times.

He reemerged in 2007 with the VH1 reality series "Rock of Love," one of the highest-rated reality shows at the time. The show won Michaels a whole new generation of fans and a spot on Donald Trump's TV series "Celebrity Apprentice."

Then, last April, a near tragedy -- he was rushed to a hospital when a blood vessel in the back of his head burst. Doctors said the brain hemorrhage would likely kill him.

No stranger to comebacks, he fought for his life and beat the odds.

The roller coaster ride continued. In May, Michaels was diagnosed with a serious but treatable cardiac condition with a hole in his heart. That didn't stop the rocker. After two decades, Michaels can still bring down the house.

Michaels, who's currently on tour, released his brand new CD, "Custom Built," which shot right up to No. 14 on the Billboard chart. For tour dates, go to BretMichaels.com.

And just like his famous song "Every Rose Has A Thorn," Michaels' life has had some beauty and some thorns - healthwise.

"I had a brain hemorrhage. I'm very lucky to have survived it. Very few people do. It was one of those things where, you know, you're so grateful," he said. "I love life, I love being around people, I love having a great time. It really puts life in perspective - what matters most to me. At that point it was my two daughters, Raine, Georgia and (on and off girlfriend) Kristi. It was such an amazing, amazing feeling to have made it through it."

Michaels recently brought his kids on-stage during a concert: