Dream Team Autographs

I as almost everyone I know have a wish list of different magnitudes and in so many areas of interest.  I always wanted to meet some special actors and actresses and as of this date I have met many of them but some special ones still elude me. On my Bucket list was Actor/comedian ROB SCHNEIDER and I had the pleasure and was not let down at all when I met him not once but twice.    He always plays a different type of character and is noted for "YOU CAN DO IT" phrase which he has used in many ADAM SANDLER movies and I have never heard anyone say any derogatory comments about him at all over the many years. He smiles, shares stories on a photo you may ask him to sign and always is willing to pose for a picture with any of his fans.  Everyone should make a list of things to do to keep life interesting always. Maybe the list I will comprise may be seen by one of the stars and the opportunity would be a wish that will come true. You Never Know, So here is my bucket list. 1

When you are a grapher either for profit or just for fun it is NEVER a guarantee that you will see or get an autograph of someone you are trying to meet. Today was and up and down day and it started quite well with the opportunity to meet and share a few words with Actor WARWICK DAVIS famous for roles in WILLOW, STAR WARS and the HARRY POTTER SERIES.  He was doing a full day of meeting and signing autographs at Disney for the Star War Celebration and you had to realize that he put in a long day. As he exited his vehicle there were 6 graphers waiting for a chance to sign various photos and take a picture or two. He did without any reservations, smiled for all the photos and was the perfect celebrity we had heard about and were hoping to see that he was terrific.  Now we had heard from some reliable information that singer PHIL COLLINS was also in town and he was truly one of all of our favorites and a must to meet. I personally was his body guard in 1987 when he performed in Orlando

  I happened to turn the channel and one of the TWILIGHT Movies was playing and brought back a nice memory. We all watch many movies and have to think how many are off the screen.  Truthfully I thought I would not have the opportunity to meet any of those stars in that movie but you never know. I was invited to a charity event and found out ASHLEY GREENE who played  Alice Cullen in the series was to be the host. No second thoughts , I was going to attend. She was a delightful host, always smiling and very pleasant to the eyes. After the event she came out, stopped and chatted with many of her fans. She posed for pictures signed autographs and was just hanging around when another " Grapher" started to shove picture after picture for her to sign. Her Mother who was also acting as her manager stepped in and said " That's enough" and off she was taken. It was a beautiful moment that was somewhat tarnished but I will always walk away knowing that Ms. Greene was

These were the words out of Matt Frenette of the rock group LOVERBOY when I asked him if he ever gets tired of signing an autograph. LOVERBOY was in town playing a downtown concert and myself and a couple of friends had the opportunity to meet them and ask for the albums to be autographed.   The 4 original members were so accommodating and were happy to sign and pose for a picture or two. They have been around playing to crowds with songs such as WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND for over 30 years and still know that without their fans they all would be sitting home in Canada. This is a common trait with many of the older touring bands and I have to say something the new bands should take note and use as a role model If not my son will not be meeting any of them in 5 years no less 30.

  Millions of People throughout the world, we all watched the CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL that took place in Orlando, FL. It went on for weeks and the Judge who controlled it without turning into a 3 ring Circus was JUDGE BELVIN PERRY. Had an invite to attend a charity event for Mental Health Awareness and Judge Perry was the essential presenter whom was exceptional!   Approximately 700 people attending and he just wanted to blend in with the crowd not sure that would happen but it did until his Speech.  Judge BELVIN PERRY was humble, modest and reserved (undoubtedly due to his observing nature and Profession) but you could tell extremely confident not cocky, and proud. If you ever get a chance to meet him, go ahead as his smile will only make you feel there is a truly caring personality behind it.   

MODEST MOUSE, WE WILL ALL FLOAT ON ALRIGHT YEAH RIGHT. They have a strong following and I particularly liked their music for many years. Three of us were waiting with anything from a limited pressing vinyl to a poster in hopes of getting them signed. As the bus pulled up we stood ready but we were all not 100 percent in the ability to recognize them as their came across the street. The first 2 hurried across and wanted no part of signing anything and the friend who does sell mentioned that there is not much on the Internet for sell. So we took another approach and went right by the bus door and one of the members TOM was asked my one of the graphers who was working for my friend “WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG" Caught him by surprise and what he said next even made me smile. “YOUR LAST SONG". THERE WAS A PUZZLE LOOK ON THE BAND MEMBERS FACE SO I JUMPED IN AND SAID MY FAVORITE WAS A SONG CALLED “BROKE". He looked at me and said”What” and the other member who was very nice an

   Today I ventured out to meet whom I thought would be a very approachable artist who was playing at a small venue. His Name is CONNOR OBERST. He is definitely not a mega star ( Most have never heard of him) and I was encouraged after speaking with one of the crew that he was a nice guy. Everyone has an opinion  and hopefully he may read this and realize he lost several fans today. I waited outside the venue by myself. No screaming fans or lines hoping to get a glimpse and an autograph. As I was standing there for some time a car pulls up and drops a fellow and young girl off. I had to look twice as I was not sure it was him and he just walked on by. I called out his name and no response and went into the tour bus. Well I waited and he came off the bus and once again I called out and he AGAIN ignored my request and his girlfriend put up her arms as if to say Sorry. I could feel my blood begin to boil as these autographs were not even for me as I never listened to any of his music

  When you start out as a " Grapher" it is always for the passion of meeting a famous celebrity  and goes into a book of memories in usually a neat fashion. In most cases the passion grows either but opportunity or desire and before anyone can realize a few turns into a hundred then into thousands. I have been a collector for almost 50 years and I can honestly say I have sold a few here and there to friends at usually half the cost they are worth.  Autographs are an investment that increases in many of them either by the rarity or the popularity of the individual. BABE RUTH was one of the best signers and never turned down a request but his autograph is searched and wanted by the true collector of memorabilia.It really depends on the person and if someone wants someone or some bodies the price changes always. Over the past 10 years anyone who is organized( and the professional graphers are always no matter if they collect or sell) are always bunched together. I would say at

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        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 wa

   I was fortunate to attend a beautiful event called RUNWAY FOR HOPE that raises funds for children with cancer and the proceeds go to the charity which was attended by no less than a thousand people. One of the Co Hosts was BROOKE BURKE the very beautiful host ( Was on Dancing of the Stars) and the event was spectacular to say the least. Another grapher who goes by "Texter" and I were at the event and were prepare to have her sign a few items and pose for some   pictures. The event finished and we knew where they would have to exit and I was also interested in getting ROSS MATHEWS as I had a picture for him also. He came out first and I was able to chat a few seconds with him and he was terrific. As I turned around Texter told me Burke went hurrying by and off to the right. "SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO . I took off down the hall as fast as I could go. A long time back you could time me with a stopwatch but now it is a calendar!! I caught up with her but 100 seriously i was mov

CARLY RAE JENSEN who has had one big hit and her career looked very promising. She is a very pretty young lady, a beautiful voice BUT at the time we met her is either getting bad advise or believes she is a true mega star. There were 3 of us who we invited to a closed session at a radio station to hear her play a few songs. After these sessions people are allowed to meet ,take pictures with and sign some items. She refused to sign any items EXCEPT a photo she had given to anyone who asked and when any other requests she turned a deaf ear and acted as if that person was not there, I even spoke to one of her handlers that if she does not change her "Better than I attitude" she is going to lose a large amount of fans.  Grade D+ KEVIN NEALON the comedian who started in  Saturday  Night Live and movies Happy Gilmore and Little NICKY Kevin has taken to the road doing stand up gigs at comedy clubs and in this instance was at the IMPROV in Orlando. After the show he stands at th

  When I was a Kid my parents always took us to the city to see plays, museums and concerts and though at the time I was never overly thrilled ,I look back and realize how much it was so important in my learning and know how. I was watching EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE with Clint Eastwood with RUTH GORDON playing the feisty mother who always made comments by the monkey Clyde. Most of us remember her in the powerful movie ROSEMARYS BABY( She won an Oscar as Best Supporting actress) where is the the kind caring neighbor to Mia Farrow. RUTH GORDON was always one of my top favorite actresses due to her unique style and one I never thought I would meet.    I was about 12 and My Dad and I went to see a Broadway play and after he took me to a famous restaurant SARDIs where many of the stars would come in and eat and just mingle. On the walls you would see all the caricatures of all the stars that visited this iconic restaurant. As we were sitting there, first TRUMAN CAPOTE walked by, foll

 Did you ever want to meet a personality that you have read about and thought they would be quite interesting? Well one of my many is DICK DALE considered as the “King of the Surf Guitar" who was playing at a local venue and whom I missed the last time he was in town. There were 3 of us to start, but when one of his band members told me he does not do sound checks and usually shows up at the time of the show.    He was to go on at  10PM and just when we were doing our own countdown to call it quits he came thru the door. I asked politely as always if he would mind signing an autograph and what followed changed my opinion of this legendary 77 year old guitarist." I DO THIS AFTER THE SHOW AND I CHARGE 10 DOLLARS". I even offered to pay but his wife said Its OK you do not have to pay. He signed our photo almost anguished he would have fans who support him and when we attempted to get a request of a picture together, he harshly said " NO" in a most unfriendly

There are many National treasures in our Great Country! One of the best is singer WILLIE NELSON. I always wanted to meet this legend as I have seen him perform a couple of times but never was able to meet and have him sign my albums. Willie for years always was approachable and would sign multiple items no matter what never complained. So another chance came about when a few other individuals and I went looking for him.   Willie never stays in a hotel and finds that the comfort of his traveling bus makes him feel at home. We drove about to a couple of hotels and lo and behold it sat parked by itself in a parking lot near the venue. It was about  10 am in the morning and we did not want to disturb him by knocking on the bus so we parked near it and waited and hoped he would exit to get some exercise. About 40 minutes passed and another truck pulled up with someone carrying a guitar and he started to knock on the bus door. No Response. Willie did it again and again and finally behi

As the years progress with me in my search for autographs, 2 areas of concern have risen horribly and though some measures are being done, it is definitely not enough. FAKE AUTOGRAPHS have risen to proportions that most of the average buyer or collector could never imagine.. Most of the fake autographs have been brought on by greed. EBAY which is a recognized word in the dictionary has fueled the problem but are taking an active role to stop and even prosecute the violators. I knew of a dealer several years ago who was selling on EBay  and making a terrific profit. He had what we use to call a "RUNNER" who went out to different events and places and got a personality to sign an item and sold it to a dealer who sold online or by EBAY. Some of the stars such as DEREK JETER and even BRITTANY SPEARS are high power items that many of their fans would like due to the fact that they would never have a one on one meeting. Well, soon this "RUNNER" was bringing him 10 De

Every Day there is some news brought about of a personality which at times is negative and people read about in a paper or watch it on ENTERTAINMENT Tonight. But I thought I would share a moment that I witnessed that was never highlighted or reported that showed a beautiful side of this world known entertainer. Singer DONNY OSMOND put on a show at a local venue and I had a few items that I was hoping to get signed for a couple of patients I knew. After the show his bus was pulled back by the stage door and joining it were about 200 at times cheering for Donny Middle Age Woman and me hoping to get a picture mostly and myself for his autograph. He exited the back door and was instantly was mobbed but with his trademark smile he started taking pictures with many of them and signed what they passed on to him. Behind the 4 deep of these adoring fans, was a young lady in a wheelchair who sat back only hoping to see her idol.? As Donny came up to me , I told him of this young lady and he