Have You Ever Met A Celebrity?

I've met a few. The only one who I didn't care for was SCTV's Dave Thomas. He was a bit a of a jerk.

I've only met a few for long enough to get a real impression.

Henry Rollins - Before he became a big name outside of the punk rock scene he was trying writing and spoken word tours. I met him prior to a speaking engagement with a handful of other fans and he was a walking, talking show. A nice enough of a guy but really just a more personal version of what he was on stage.

Carl Palmer - I've gotten to meet Carl a few times. He's very polite and accommodating and his stories are amusing if you're into Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Trace Adkins - I met Trace on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. At the time I met him I had no idea who he was. I was on deck just about a half hour after sunrise. I was sitting on a bench and he came up and asked if he could sit for a bit since the deck chair still weren't out. We talked about cigarettes, beer, the deck walkers and our impressions of the cruise itself. It was the first time either of us were on a cruise ship. A pretty normal guy. I finally understood that he was a celebrity when an elderly woman and her adult son came up and asked us to take a picture of them together. He left not too long after that and talking to other people about him I learned who he was. It was a Grand Ole Opry themed cruise and I knew there were country stars on board but I didn't know any of them aside from a couple of familiar names.

Raul Julia - Very nice man
Peter Weller - Coolest guy I ever met
Mandy Patinkin - Standoffish
Jaid Barrymore (Drew's mom) - Strange woman
Rip Torn - Nice guy but pretends he's poor

Yes...here are a few:

Jorma Kaukonen (lead guitarist for Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna)...I attended a guitar workshop at his Fur Peace Ranch in September 2002. He was great....likes his motorcycles, guitars, and tattoos. Being with him and learning from him really took my playing to another level over the years. He's an incredible guitarist.

Eric "Sleepy" Floyd (former college/NBA basketball player). Pretty quiet and reserved to talk to in person, but a great basketball player. I met him during a basketball camp back in Summer 1986. He asked our group who the two best basketball players were (one was All-State in Georgia and the other was All-State in Virginia), then proceeded to beat them in a game of "2 on 1." Brad Daugherty (also former college/NBA player) was also at this camp and spoke to our group, but I didn't get to talk to him individually. However, I did get to throw up an "air ball" while he watched me play for a bit. 😃

Joe Brinkman (former MLB umpire)...he ran an "umpire school" at Cocoa Beach, Florida (USA) back in the 80s and a couple of my college baseball teammates and I got to speak with him. He was an ex-Marine and swore like a sailor...but he had some great stories. He was one of the umpires during the infamous "Pine Tar game" between the Royals and Yankees. He said he got along great with George Brett and that they would laugh and joke about it whenever they'd meet off the field. He also said the one player who didn't like him was Carl Yazstremski...he gave a couple of examples about that.

Just a few:
Jerry Lewis - It was just a signing, so it was rather quick.
Darren McGavin - Ran into him on an airplane. Very personable. Talked for about twenty minutes.
Rachael Ray - Very kind woman. My then five-year old daughter got very nervous and started to cry. Rachael got down on her knees and hugged her. She started to tear up herself. So, she held onto her until they both calmed down.

Couple other at autograph sessions and the like.

Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, many years ago, backstage following an Outlaws concert in Phoenix. Waylon was a bit quiet, but nice. Willie was very friendly, outgoing, and talkative. He took my hands in his and gave me a peck on the cheek. I also met skater Peggy Fleming way back when I used to hang out with a number of figure skaters and their coaches.

Met Mike Wolfe from American Pickers shortly after the show debuted. Was in the area and stopped at the store in Iowa. He was awesome. Probably sat down and talked for at least an hour about the show, antiques and picking. Seemed like a good dude.

I met Ed Begley Jr at an AA meeting today. Nice guy. I've seen him a million times in movies but I don't remember one. Lol.

I've met a few others over the years. My dad was friends with Chuck Norris.

I think I met Exene drunk and stoned on Hollywood Boulevard once.