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Showing posts from January, 2015

WHEN YOU'RE WITH DAN AYKROYD, You NEVER HAVE THE BLUES

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      There are many celebrities that anyone meets on a given day but some can not be forgotten especially on the way the treat fans and friends that they meet at functions and even on the street. DAN AYKROYD is one one of the true classy people if he is around ,don't miss the opportunity to say hello. From the days of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE to his classics THE BLUES BROTHERS, 1941 and one of my favorites NEIGHBORS all starring with his friend the late JOHN BELUSHI.     Though we have met him a couple of times, he was co host of the United Cerebral Palsy Fundraiser in Orlando and showed his true compassion for a cause and took the time to take pictures and sign autographs even though he was on a tight schedule. Our Impression is that no matter what you see as an outgoing personality, he truly is shy, quiet and humble around so many.      Meeting him backstage ,he chatted to those that approached him and never hesitated to sign an au...

WAKE UP WORLD, LISTEN TO MAYA LIN  

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      When one autographs anytime a bit of culture or learning can be done, We also jump at the chance to expand our horizons. When We heard that famous Architect and artist MAYA LIN was giving a presentation of her words and a discussion, it could not be missed. Now My first knowledge of Ms. Lin was she was the designer of the VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL in Washington DC and though we knew she was a world renown accomplished and respected artist ,that is all I thought she would talk about. BUT WE WERE WRONG.     The beginning of the talk was a bit slow due to time concerning physics and the movements of water which had some of the older distinguished crowd starting to nod off. Our attention began to grow with one statement she made which is so profound. She said" WHAT WE CAN NOT SEE AND WHAT WE CAN NOT OWN ALWAYS DRIVES US" which she related to how much money is spent on traveling into space but not enough what lies below the vast bodies of water in our world. ...

DAVE COULIER OF FULL HOUSE IS TRULY AN ACE  

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       So many people remember the hit comedy series FULL HOUSE starring BOB SAGET, JOHN STAMOS and DAVE COULIER who played Joey Gladstone in the series. Had an opportunity to meet him as he was performing his stand up comedy routine at a local club and heard only praise about him. Well, He did not let me down.       There were 4 graphers who approached him and though he was running late for an interview on the radio, he still took the time to sign and pose for pictures. One young man had 5 photos and as he completed the fifth one, he jokingly kidded him and said" So when are these going on EBAY" but still as a true trooper took a photo with him. I imagine that he must know that not all people sell the photos they receive but it must still be in the back of everyone's mind when they are approached with multiple items. I later heard that he did not hesitate to sign before and after the show and was friendly and kind to all.  Here is a  Ter...

Madeline Stowe

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       Being in the Medical Profession, I personally have attended many Lectures and seminars of new products and procedures to battle the many diseases that attack us every year. Attending a lecture on new Meds for battling MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS there turned out to be a added bonus actress +MADELINE STOWE. Her Father suffered with the Disease and she has become a spokes person for the new line of meds to arrest the effects.        Though Ms. Stowes name may not be household yet, the opportunity to see her was to be rewarding also. She has starred in Movies STAKEOUT,one on my favorites LAST OF THE MOHICANS with +Daniel Day Lewis and is presently on TV in the hit show REVENGE. Today was a first as attending this 3 1/2 seminar, prior to lunch being served Ms. Stowe graciously went to each table to say hello and in many cases take some photos and sign a few autographs.    Madeline showed a kindness to many of the attendees who are suffe...

IF YOU DO NOT KNOW IRIS DEMENT, YOU REALLY SHOULD

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      Up to a few years back I never really listened, ( as we have found others probably never really listen to +IRIS DEMENTs music. One thing is forcertain, that it had been truly my loss.      Her song LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS was the final song in the closing credits of the +COEN BROTHER's TRUE GRIT which made many of us instant admirers. As an American Singer and song writer she has been touring playing many of her new songs from her latest album.      We took a chance and waited outside the venue hoping to speak with her prior to her show in the Orlando area. As we noticed a car pulled up to the backstage door and  out she comes. Approaching her and asking for a possible autograph, she looked at us and with beautiful sincerity and responded " I WOULD LOVE TO," Iris chatted about the tour and how much she appreciated my comments on how I became a fan after hearing her song in the True Grit Movie.    ...

Former Ambassador Andrew Young with the Dream Team

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The 50 tear anniversary of the CIVIL RIGHTS Movement is being celebrated all over our great country and today we had a chance to see and hear Former Ambassador ANDREW YOUNG speak at a Rollins  College.     Now from his days from marching with REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING to being the Mayor of ATLANTA and then the first African American to be the UN Ambassador it was an opportunity that should not be missed. Along with about a thousand people in attendance Mr. Young spoke of his days and troubles with the march in SELMA, ALABAMA and even reflected about the movie that is presently in the theaters. His wisdom and insight of what today's problems are still outweigh any idea that AMERICA is still the greatest country in the world. Though he has definitely shown his age from the difficulty in walking but  still his mind and memory were faultless, He set regally in a chair and signed and took a picture with all that waited to share a moment with a man that had seen so muc...

WHO THE HELL DOES NICKI MINAJ THINK SHE IS  

      I was talking to a women whose daughter was a big fan for Nicki Minaj and what was told to me was so disturbing  , it had to be written.      Ms. Minaj was performing in Tampa Florida to a sold out crowd of many ages but mainly teenage girls that enjoyed her music as an American Rapper.       Now first of all I always thought she did have talent  but it appears no heart. This woman who adores her daughter bought her a meet and greet to meet Ms. Minaj prior to the show. The cost was 420 dollars and that is not a misprint and also did not include the price for the ticket to the show. There were about 50 people there and was supposed to start at 7:30pm. . She did not arrive until closer to 9:30pm.        Though she did take pictures with most she would not sign any item EXCEPT women breasts. Now I thought this might be an isolated moment but a friend told me of his son when she ignored his request and ...

LUCINDA WILLIAMS and LORRIE MORGAN ARE BOTH CLASSY LADIES

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      The past 2 days I had the opportunity to meet LUCINDA WILLIAMS and then LORRIE MORGAN. Two finer women you can never meet and so loyal to their fan base.       Ms. Williams was playing her blues folk and so rock N roll with a voice that makes her so unique and her songs telling her feelings in stories. After a great sold out show she came out in some chilly weather to meet and sign some autographs to about 15 fans waiting patiently by her bus. She took a seat and chatted extensively with each fan admiring their items they brought to her and took pictures with all .+LUCINDA Williams  was truly genuine and as we always hope really appreciates her fans.      Now Lorrie ,the great Country Music star ,who is stunningly beautiful signed away after the first show also taking pictures with about 100 people. She was always smiling and thanked everyone for being here. When another fan observed the photos she signed for me commenting " ...

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN WITH LEE GREENWOOD

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Jon and I took a  nice ride to see the everlasting LEE GREENWOOD perform at a small venue near Ocala and world recognized for his moving ballad " GOD BLESS THE USA".This was I believe the  first time performed in a the small but cozy venue in Weirsdale, I had to get the chance to meet him . I had the opportunity to catch his show many years ago but did not have a meet and greet afterwards as he was coming down with the flu.     After a terrific performance, several people got in line and patiently took their turns to have something signed and a photo to boot with him. We were the only ones with Vinyl or LPs as we still call them and when we approached his eyes light up like the morning sun when we placed them on the table. He told us that one of them we had was the only album he did not have a beard. Spoke about another that it was the only caricature picture cover and really took the time to admire them. Another album he spoke that his good friend PATRICK DUFFY...

SO MANY PERSONALITIES ARE GONE ALREADY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF 2015

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  Reality hit me hard when I started to think about how many we have lost in the first week of 2015. As we get older in age we are made aware daily on TV and Social Media of someone who has passed and some of the things that they have left as an impression that has been with all of us since we can remember. Yesterday it was BESS MYERSON famous as a beauty Queen and commentator STUART SCOTT one of the genuine Sportscasters who started in ORLANDO and then hit high marks on ESPN. Also Coach ALLIE SHERMAN who led the NEW YORK GIANTS FOOTBALL TEAM and a innovator of the T formation.        Politicians Former NYC Mayor MARIO CUOMO and first African American elected to the Senate of Massachusetts, +EDWARD BROOKE who I personally remember as my Father had him sign a TIME MAGAZINE Cover that he graced many years ago. Country Hall of Fame Singer LITTLE JIMMY DICKENS who I had planned to see at a small venue about 3 years ago but had to canceled due to illness. +CHRISTI...

+WHITNEY CARSON IS THE TRUE DANCING STAR

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       The Dancing with the stars came into Orlando to a sold out crowd at BOB CARR AUDITORIUM with Prices ranging from approximately 50 dollars to 250 dollars. For the true fans to see some of the stars perform in person from scenes that millions watched on TV .        The event was fine and entertaining and approximately 100 fans  rendezvous about the back of the Bob Carr hoping to have an up close view with hopes of maybe a picture and possibly a photograph, WHO Wouldn't. The security force on the other hand had a different plan led by a young man who must have thought his job was ruining the night for those high paying fans  ,had his SECURITY people yell and demand that everyone get way back. Even when My son and I went were heading back to our car, he rudely approached us and I quote" If You are going to your car , keep going as They will not be signing any autographs". I did not known that the Gestapo was directing all activit...

MEETING THE PIANO MAN HIMSELF ,BILLY JOEL

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      I have always admired BILLY JOEL as one of the true genius in music with his ever changing tunes and amazing lyrics that have come from his heart and mind over the many years. When it was announced several months ago that Billy would be performing in concert on New Years Eve ,I really never gave it a chance that I would meet the legend himself.     The concert sold out quickly so on a whim my buddies thought we give it a shot to see if we could have that opportunity prior to the show. Though he was not expected to go on until about 10 PM , he came to the arena we were told at 2:30. Now arriving as we did about 6 we sure did not want to take odds that we would see him at all. But after only 5 minutes of waiting ,he came out for a cigar break. Now picture about 7 people milling outside and as we turned our heads around, he was right among us. Though not very tall  he stood out like a giant and when asked to sign a few albums he went right at it. I ...