Dream Team Autographs

My Father always reminded us to learn something new and remember people who are special and have left a mark on your life. In my professional life I have treated and met some special people who will be in my thoughts and have my respect forever more. Yesterday I had one of those moments meeting a guitarist JOHN PERRI. John was part of a Rock N Roll group called WYLDE CHYLDE who performed together for several years up north in the 80's. They bordered on hitting the big time but never got the big break. They opened for Twisted Sister and several other notable bands and played with a passion because they loved making music. Though the band has disbanded several years ago John still speaks occasionally with the past members all with John as their first name. As I listened to John talk about the band and even showed me some U-TUBE Videos, I was so impressed with his sound he delivered playing his guitar as truly one of the top ten I have ever heard. John has Galen on ...

A year and half ago singer JERRY LEE LEWIS came to the Orlando area not to perform but to sell his motorcycle for over 300,000 dollars. Now most remember it's story as a legendary singer ( Great Balls of Fire) marrying his younger cousin and having a turbulent life that he has survived now into his eighties. Now though we have gotten many autographs and keep many of them we also pass them onto patients and many notable charities for benefit auctions more times than we ask credit for now and in the past. So we took a trip down to the venue and the staff of the auction house were cordial and sent a message to the manager of Mr. Lewis. After waiting for some time " The Manager " arrived and it was explained that the albums we were asking to be signed were for a charity event. The Manager looked at us and I quote " I do not have time for this. Send a letter to us" and she walked away. So I composed a letter and sent it off even with a stamped envelop...

As a long term resident in the Orlando area one is never mentally ready to understand why so much hate from one person can destroy so many lives for eternity. It just does not seem real. Everyone through out our Great Country are Orlando Family and Prayers and Love to all that have Been involved in this tragedy will have our Love and Support forever.

We were watching the championship Basketball game when breaking news of the shooting of singer Christina Grimmie flashed across the bottom of the screen on one of the local TV stations here in Orlando. Though I was not very familiar with Christina though I did remember her powerful performance in the VOICE competion which she placed a respectful 3rd. What I was truly familiar was the venue where this tragedy happen called the PLAZA LIVE. I have seen many shows there and have met even more acts after with most signing autographs and taking photos with all their different fans. This senseless shooting happened in the lobby with a meet and greet after her show where fans get the opportunity to mingle up close and personal. Most Meet and Greet opportunities can cost an arm and leg and usually is really there for the singers or groups to add more money into their pocket . I do believe Christina did not charge and was only there to thank her fans and show her appreciation to them. Though th...

MY MEMORIES OF MUHAMMED ALI I was only a young child when I first witnessed a young Black Man who thought he could beat anyone on this planet. As Cassius Clay he won the gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics in Boxing and then went directly professional. Like Many of us I fell in love with his boxing style and his cool air of being very cocky. With his upset win over then champion Sonny Liston which was cloudy for some time with the "Mystery Punch" that brought Liston down , he went through the tough heavyweight division as if it were butter. My Father who collected and got TIME MAGAZINES signed was able to get" Clay" as he was then to sign in ball point pen which I still have today. The first time I saw him up close , was his Fight with Bob Foster with a connected individual who took us as his guests. It turned out somewhat lopsided and We knew then he was an Amazing Athlete. Converting to a Muslim he changed his name to Ali and everyone knows what followed when h...

Every year the big autograph show MEGANCON comes to town with thousands of people laying down their hard earn cash to enter and pay to have their item signed and most charging to have a photo with. Though I will never condon the later the charge for an autograph may be here for a while. One of my favorites whom I had never met is the Legendary GEORGE TAKEI. Most all remember him as SULU from the STAR TREK series and as late on the Howard Stern show and even Taco Bell commercials. I once read that he never turns down an autograph request , what one reads is not always true. BUT in this case I personally witnessed that it is true. He patiently signed at the airport to about 15 professional graphers and though his assistant repeated " they are not going to pay for the autograph at the show" he still did even with a smile. He also never refused outside the show where he was signing at the hotel and the street where he is so recognizable and loved by the fans. He is a true clas...

Everyone has different tastes in all types of music and some are known by all. That's where special musicians can be found and Hancock and Shorter proudly fall into that category. Both were performing together at a special venue and the opportunity to meet was there and would not be missed. As we patiently waited Shorter arrived first and seemed a bit surprised that we were asking for his autograph and truly was very humble. Then Hancock arrived and though he honored our request he seemed a little put off . Now he was the one I wanted to meet most of all but will always remember Shorter as the one who made the experience worth while.