Dream Team Autographs

When anyones goes autographing nothing is ever assumed to be predictable though planning is always a must. I have always heard that ZACK WYLDE of Ozzie Osbourne fame was one of the nicest and friendly signer that most people have met over the years. His greatest of being a wonderful guitarist was only surpassed on how much he appreciated his fans. His band BLACK LABEL SOCIETY was on tour and I always wanted to meet him and sign a couple of items that I have collected for years. My friend Hotdog and I decided to drive to Tampa apx 2 and half hour drive and thought about even catching the show. We were always told this venue is very accessible to graphers as the bus is always parked on the back street. So we got to the area apx 15 ft from the bus and waited with 3 other professional graphers in a polite manner hoping for our one and one with Zack. A security guard stood by the door and then everything was not in the stars. First the Manager known as "BORIS" had the van pull rig...

Thought I would share a funny memory.  50 years ago meeting a favorite celebrity was not always a reality unless you lived in California or New York. So as I did many would write to their favorite TV and Movie stars asking for an autograph. No self addressed envelope just the stars name and Hollywood, California. To this day everyone hopes that it is signed personally by that star but many were by secretarial, printed, auto pen and today by even laser. But that blog is another day. Well, I sent for ALAN HALE Jr. who played the Skipper on Gilligan’s Island. After a few weeks a 5x7 picture came to my home but even at 12 years old I could see it was printed and not an authentic autograph. I place it in my album anyway along with many others. One Day my Dad told me he was going to a Telethon and Alan Hale was to be there. I gave the picture to my Dad and asked if he could have the same picture sent to me be autographed as “This One was a Fake" My Dad said he would do his best and I k...

        Last Night I caught HERMAN HERMITS which is really PETER NOONE at the Epcot Concert Series. They were the number 3 all time British Bands from the 60's invasion for selling records only behind the Beatles and the Stones. Many of us remember Mrs. Brown You Got a Lovely daughter and Henry the 8th I am as 2 of their many great hits. Peter Noone comes back every year for the Flower Power Series and I have to say puts on one of the best shows and keeps the audience entertained, plus his voice is still excellent throughout his PERFORMANCE. The evening was going great as I had a couple of albums and photos that I gave to the manager who had Peter sign them between the 3 shows he performs for 3 days. She brought them out to me and I wanted to see the last show and hopefully get a picture with him and also Thank Him.        Peter always leaves quickly so you have to keep an eye out to watch both ways he may exit. Well sure enough he left o...

There is a Bike-fest in Leesburg, Florida which has entertainers headlining each day and tonight's was VANILLA ICE {Robert Matthew Van Winkle} the American Rapper who was a big sensation in the 90's with his biggest hit ICE ICE BABY .My son and I decided to try our luck in meeting him and catching the free show. We parked quite a distance away and made our way to the Downtown Square where the concert was to be held. It was crowded and we had to scope out where to go and as luck would have it I approached this fellow and asked Do You have any idea where the Ice Man may be.  His name was Cinderella Sal and it turned out that he was with Vanilla Ice for the past 25 years.  We struck up an instant friendship and told us that he would not be here until 9:45 for the 10 O'clock show, So My son Jon and I had 90 minutes to kill and relax and observe all the people who probably had not seen a big show in their town in many years. Finally  Vanilla Ice shows up at almost 10 sign...

I always believe there is luck and fate when You are out graphing and today was one of those lucky moments. A friend who goes by the nick name HotDog and I went down to catch the group  BERLIN with lead singer TERRI DUNN. She is famous for singing the Lead song in the movie  Top Gun ( Take my Breath Away) . Catching the show was one treat but the main issue was to meet her and sign her albums including Top Gun soundtrack. We asked someone and they said she was not doing a signing but did have a meet and greet. Well , we went downstairs in hopes of seeing her go by and ending up in a hallway talking with a very personable security employee. Before we knew it people were lining up behind us all with VIP badges. HotDog and I kept looking at each other knowing sooner or later they would ask us to leave BUT it never happened. Then Terri came out to us and we were first on line, getting pictures and having her sign our items. It was terrific. She was as charming as she wa...

Many Times I always refer to the old adage its people you know to find out information. A Very Good friend of mine was playing in a tournament consisting of 40 and older baseball players at Disney and knowing my passion he gave me some inside information that his team had just played DOUG FLUTIE representing Boston. (Flutie won the Heisman Trophy playing for Boston University as the top College Player). A friend and I decided to take a trip down to the fields in hopes of getting a chance to meet him. As we were figuring out where to go we saw him pull in the VIP parking lot with his sports car. Also like 2 cats waiting to jump into action we waited until he came around the bend and approached him. Whoa was his first words and we politely asked if he would sign our items. I had 4 footballs that I have been collecting for 20 years all with Heisman winners and though he has a reputation of being a hard signer he went along and signed all but not before a few comments. You are selling the...

I have seen BB KING play several times over my lifetime and have met him 5 times and just like anyone can be his mood may change like the wind. Many years ago before EBAY existed, you could meander about and hang out with many of the musicians after their shows and were all very approachable.. But over the past 15 years with meet and greets it is has been quite tougher to meet some of the legends and luck and ingenuity plays very heavily today. BBs autograph continues to increase in value as it is becoming more and more difficult to obtain. We were waiting in the lobby of a hotel and BB was pushed in his Wheelchair with a tremendous entourage and never blinked except to admire some of the classic albums people were asking to have autographed. Now another grapher and I took a ride to Daytona once where he was playing a smaller venue. As we were waiting we happened to catch a glimpse of the bus coming down the road and I drove like a wild man and followed it to the hotel they we...

I had an old friend whose favorite movie was Back to the Future and all the movies that followed in the Series. I always thought it was a good movie but not in the classic category. UNTIL NOW. I watched it again this evening and realized that each one of those stars were perfect in their roles and should be a great movie that all should enjoy. Over the years I have met many of them which has enhanced my feelings and the different personalities and the memories of them when I met them with many of the other graphers. On a recent post I spoke of CLAUDIA WELLS who is as genuine as they come. She played Marty’s first girlfriend and was signed to play in the following 2 movies but had to back out because she took care of her Ailing Mother and knew her priorties in life. She is Terrific. There is TOM WILSON who played Biff and is as different as day and night from the role he played. He is more than friendly, speaks well of everyone BUT has this quirk that he will not sign any BACK ...

There are many personalities especially musicians that we have listen for years and thought we never would have the opportunity to meeting them. Not to long ago YANNI was in town and I was determined to meet him as I missed on the last time he was here. The last time about 2 years before I waited after the show by the stage door and he was whisked out the side entrance unbeknownst to me. So I was determined and got their  a couple hours before he was to perform. As I  chatted with the security guard a tour bus arrive and I waited off to the side. As he was exited I politely requested if I could get a picture with him as I had already given his tour manager an album and CD s for his autograph. When he heard my request, he turned and hesitated for a moment. He stood smiling and I was more than happy when they took our picture. A few minutes later as I waited for my items the security guard came over and told me " He was not too happy to have his picture taken as he had...

   Autographing has been a passion of Docs for 50 years now. He started when he was 10 years old when my Wonderful Father Jay Schleichkorn who was Director of United Cerebral Palsy in New York State took Doc along to the various telethons that were held in New York. Once a year he would travel with him to Albany and also New York City where many celebrities would donate their time and help raise funds for the noble cause.  Added to that Docs parents would take his Brothers to plays and concerts on Broadway where many times famous actors and actresses would be in the audience and were so approachable  and gracious if someone asked them to sign their playbill.  Doc was in love with old movies and marveled at the actors on the screen from Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis to name a few that I wrote too many of these stars in Hollywood. It was so simple in those days JOHN WAYNE HOLLYWOOD <CALIFORNIA. No additional address, zip code a...

We already have begun to have a great following so I would like to give a little history. As most can see we spell AUTOGRAH Hounds without the P. In this world of LLCs and so many names OWNED we have been using this name and have it under our domain. Autograh Hounds began as several autograph seekers some for profit and some for collecting as a hobby.       It consisted of about 7 individuals who shared information on who was in the area, shows that were coming up and all have different strengths that made each have a very strong character.  Because of this differences always arose because of these personalities and thus some of these "graphers" come and they go and some return. We may not always get along but I can say there is always respect among the entire field. So as this site expands Everyone may hear some names that they have no clue or ever heard of and some may return periodically but meeting personalities either my chance , work, or special...

I had a great conversation with a famous celeb when I asked " Do You Ever get Tired of signing an Autograph?" He was very candid and said" It goes with the territory" For those who did this for the sport or a business most autograph collectors know the boundaries. Never approach them when they are with their children, eating a meal and if they say no ,they mean no !!!. The so call Paparazzi does not hold to those standards. They are after the picture which is sold to a magazine  but in most cases NEVER asking for an autograph.  The Autograph seeker is trying for the item to be signed and if the personality is willing asking for a possible photo with them. Some are for proving the authentic autograph piece and some to have a great memory of someone they respect. Most celebs do not mind a picture but I always remember what the Great Musician George Thoorogood said to my son and I when we were lucky to have a meet and greet before his show. As he was posing with us he ...

My passion for music ever since I fell in love with the Beatles has never waned and continues to amaze me on the different styles and personalities they all do have  no matter how long they have been playing. The other night THE ZOMBIES were here in town playing at local venue. Their songs SHES NOT THERE, TIME OF THE SEASON were part of the British invasion in the 60's and they still have 2 of the original members ROD ARGENT and  and COLIN  BLUNSTONE still playing with terrific music. Before many of the shows I always try to meet them before either at sound checks or before the concerts begin. Today luck was on my side as I first met Colin and then talked at length with Rod Argent . Totally down to earth for a person who was the Group ARGENT with their monster hit HOLD YOUR HEAD UP/  To show why my admiration was so high, one young lady was out there talking and hanging around and was asked if she was going to the show. She honestly said Times are tough ...

Sometimes you can get into a moment where you feel you are a kid in the candy store. This past weekend was one of those beautiful and I can say fun times where numerous celebs are all in one area. The key is to recognize them as some have changed like we all do especially as time marches on. There is an annual Exotic Car Show where some of the most envied cars are shown by their owners to be recognized as one of the best. As a few of our friend were waiting to see who may arrive this year, lo and behold DANIEL BALDWIN was milling about just interested in looking at the beautiful cars. He looked a little rough but was so accommodating in signing autographs and especially anyone who wanted a picture. And off he sent as if we let a fish off the hook and disappeared in the crowd. We walked a little further and there was PAUL TRUDEL Sr. of the TV show American Choppers hanging around the bikes you do not see every day. He had a huge crowd and he was again so patient taking ...

It is very strange when we look at many actors and personalities on the screen and believe that their roles spill over into their real life personality. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Giancola Espinosa famous for his roles as Gus in Breaking Bad and also in TVs Revolution. Both roles are tough bad guys who have no compassion. Giancola in real life is just the opposite. He was attending a Movie Festival as the guest of honor and he was true class. Before his  Q & A on his movie they were showing ,he greeted at least 30 fans who were waiting to shake his hand, take a picture with and many for an autograph. he never balked or complained and gave everyone a few minutes and was cordial to all. He was the genuine item. Now this evening I with about 1000 other people listened to Ken Burns famous for his documentaries of Baseball, The Civil War, Jazz and of late the National Parks. He spoke for an hour and then sat at a table and was willing to sign for maybe a 100 people...

Some days are definitely different from others like when You get home just as it starts to pour and always feel a little lucky. Well today was one of those. I had just left  a conference and headed over to see if I could meet and get JESSE COOKs autograph who is considered one of the worlds best Jazz guitarist. As we have seen many times waiting is part of the game plan for hours at times. But Not Today. As I pulled into the parking lot there were 2 people standing and talking as they were getting their luggage from their Tour Bus. And one was Jesse. I had to take a double look as I could not believe it , and I approached him with my requests and he was more than cordial. The opening act performer took our picture , we chatted for a few minutes and back into my car as if I never missed a beat.Now I like a good challenge but it is nice once in a while to feel  that he was waiting for me. haha

When meeting many personalities you never know how they in person and not what we see on the stage or screen. Today was a very interesting one and I was not disappointed at the least. My first stop  was at a musical   venue that had AMOS LEE who to many is one of the great talents to come on the music scene . I waited in my car near what I presumed was his touring bus in hopes of catching him before his sound check for his show that evening. Had my lucky hat on and it seemed to have pay off. He was outside and I politely asked if he would mind signing a couple of items. He said" Got to go in the bus but give me a couple of minutes" Many will say the same line and take as long as they please. But true to his word, he came out and even apologized for keeping me waiting. Whoa, What a class act. He signed away and we chatted for a while as if I was an old classmate or in my case maybe a teacher. The only thing wrong is my camera did not work. He even waited to see if we could...

Now that I know we  have a following on Celeb stories I will give everyone a running diary, This past weekend we had a local Concert  with headliner NIGHT RANGER ( Sister Christian) and TOMMY TUTONE( 876309). A friend and I waited patiently  at a local hotel and if you take that approach You can never lose focus  and especially attention just in case they go flying by. Well this was the case with Tommy Tutone who if I did not look up he would have flew by and on top of it was not the same in appearance of many pictures I have seen of him on the Web. Quickly I said " Tommy would you mind signing" and he hesitated and signed an album we both had and I also had a couple of photos which he said" I will SELL these to You after the show" After I said please again he reluctantly signed them and even commented on one that he never saw that one. When I asked to take a picture he said" I am late got to go" and off he went. Little did he know that he would not go ...