transferring data from masterpage to content page

[abehm]

help.
i'm trying to show the selectedindex from a dropdownlist of the masterpage in a label on the content page. I've tried doing (DropDownList)M aster.FindContr ol() as shown in other posts, but it comes up as null. can anyone explain this to me please?

[abehm]

 public void LoadTestBoothData()
    {
        DropDownList testBooth;
        testBooth = (DropDownList)Master.FindControl("ddTestBooth");
        this.lblVertical.Text = testBooth.SelectedIndex.ToString();
    }

[abehm]

also, I have 2 nested masterpages. i'm not sure if that makes a difference or not. can anyone help me?