Dream Team Autographs

 Many times in all our daily lives we look forward to going somewhere or in our case meeting someone we have enjoyed from a far. Today singer DIONNE WARWICK was in town so 5 of us decided it would be a nice adventure to meet this singing icon. Now having met her several years ago ,  anticipated what may happen but like a good wine you always hope it gets better over the years. Now one must remember not every Celebrity will be as wonderful as a LILY TOMLIN or a JOHN TRAVOLTA or TONY BENNETT which our the standard as one of nicest anyone can meet. So as she came into our view we once again politely asked if she would mind signing. She stopped signed one each with an expression as if we weren't even there. She then dropped the marker in an album almost as if she didn't care if we were a fan or not. Not a thank you with many kind words about her career we all expressed, just a tilt of her head and her nose up in the air. Yes she did sign one but all had albums that she did make a ...

      A growing trend that is becoming disturbing with regular theme are music acts charging outlandish fees for a meet and greet. It is only a revenue scheme that shuts out many of the true fans who have faithfully bought their concert tickets, CDs and albums with a hope of getting a picture with or maybe a simple autograph. Most fans can not afford the fees that range from $150 to a $1000 for a 2 minute "hi" , "how are you" and a picture with and maybe one item signed.  It is getting out of hand and disappointment beyond words is becoming a regular event. Just the past few months HENRY ROLLINS , KENNY ROGERS,  and STYX came out and blew off only a handful of fans who waited out in the cold to ask for only a few minutes of their time and appreciation of their fans. Yes the argument is that the perception that everyone asking for an autograph are selling them on EBAY. So maybe some do but in the mist of them the true fan will outnumber them. So if people are ...

       Like so many people in life, we have certain individuals on our bucket list that we may have the opportunity to meet one day. One of mine is actor,Director, writer comedian BILLY CRYSTAL. With a stop over in Orlando he was performing at a local venue and the opportunity was there for the taking. So Rocketman and I positioned ourselves in the hopes of meeting this comedy legend and hoped our good luck would continue. As we waited we spotted and met actress BONNIE HUNT who was charming signing autographs and taking a picture with us. Then without warning I glanced up and LARRY BIRD the HOF Basketball Legend came strolling up without fan fare. Many say he is very tough when approached but not this time. He towered over us and couldn't have been more pleasant. He posed for pictures and even signed an autograph with out reservation. Now if it ended there We couldn't have asked for anymore but then BILLY CRYSTAL CAME IN OUR VIEW. I politely asked if he would si...

 Before MTV, hype and promotional tools that new and ongoing music acts Endure today there was DICK CLARKS AMERICAN BANDSTAND. Each week On Americas TV people would see and listen to the new sound of ROCK N ROLL that was sweeping the younger generation of the early sixties. They were the pioneers of the music that is still going strong today. Though I was a little lad at the time I can still remember hearing and loving the new sound when I went to the candy store, malt shops and on the TV with Dick Clarks shows. With Nostalgia a main stream in our society a friend and I took a trip to catch a few of the big names that still are performing to crowds that have not forgotten some of the innocent and when Fun was fun. After the show 3 of the performers came out to sign autographs which included JOHNNY TILLOTSON, CHRIS MONTEZ and MERRILEE RUSH ( Angel of the Morning )Had them sign a music poster of other music stars with Merrilee the most impressed and responded Holy Crap" seeing so...

      Many years ago when you were a COLLECTOR of autographs it truly was not difficult and 99 percent of the personalities were approachable and gracious about giving a piece of their DNA and posing for a picture. Plays, Movie Premieres. Promotional Stops , Charity Events and just seeing someone on the street were so accessible that people who try today would never believe it. But I have been collecting for over 50 years( yikes that is a long time) since I was 10, and lately I have noticed a disturbing trend that is getting worst and worst.  Some blame it on 911, others on EBAY , greed that some approach celebrities they no not know just as a dollar sign.  Graphers with some many items that they will have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome just looking at them and Shows were Celebrities SELL their autograph and a picture with and even paranoia due to some stalkers and crazed individuals.    My concern and evidence was just seen this past 2 weeks. We were waitin...

I am asked constantly who are the worst and best personalities to approach in hopes of getting an autograph for your collection or in many cases to try to sell. Honestly the list will change every week with the majority We can say are good but the bad stick out like a sore thumb. You have the likes of JERRY LEE LEWIS. JERRY LEWIS, KEVIN COSTNER, and even MERYL STREEP who make the list every year. But this past 2 weeks one in particular may be topping them all. Singer KENNY ROGERS was playing  what he billed as his last world tour and decided to grace us in a venue that is very accessible to meet and attempt a request for an autograph that may take 30 seconds to accommodate some that have not forgotten him.  We heard stories that he was tough but seems is believing. I once spoke to his manager and requested if I could send him a few albums for Rogers to sign and when they came back he signed ONLY one in the package of seven which were going to a special cause. I knew what may ...

      CARRIE FISHER,  Princess Leia from Star Wars, DEBBIE REYNOLDS Unsinkable Molly Brown BERNARD FOX Dr. Bombay from Bewitched and Titanic ALAN THICKE Growing Pains JOSEPH MASCOLO Stephanie from Days of Our Lives PETER VAUGH Maester Aemon from Game of Thrones VAN WILLIAMS of The Green Hornet MARGARET WHITTON owner of The Indians in Major League ALICE DRUMMOND from Ghostbusters and Awakenings ANDREW SACHS waiter in Fawlty Towers RON GLASS Detective on Barney Miller ABE VIGODA Barney Miller, Godfather FRITZ WEAVER Tony award winner from Broadway FLORENCE HENDERSON Brady Bunch Mom ROBERT VAUGHN Napoleon Solo from Man from Uncle original Magnificent Seven DON MARSHALL Land of the Giants TAMMY GRIMES Tony Winner from Broadway JOHN ZACHEALE Early TV Horror Host JAMES STACY TV Western Lancer PATTY DUKE Actress Patty Duke Show WILLIAM SCHALLERT Father from Patty Duke also Lonely are The Brave EDDIE APPLEGATE Boyfriend from Patty Duke Show HUGH O'BRIAN Played TV Wya...