Just back from seeing the movie, The Blind Side, at one of our local movie houses. This former college football coach and current television commentator has a cameo role in the flick.

Phil Fulmer posed for this shot earlier this month on December 8 as he arrived at the College Football Hall of Fame Luncheon at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Fulmer led the University of Tennessee to a National Championship in 1998. He compiled a 152-52 record in 16 seasons for the Volunteers.

Out with the old and in with the new at Good Morning America.

George Stephanopoulos is the new co-host of the ABC morning show. He replaces Diane Sawyer who is replacing Charles Gibson on ABC World News Tonight. Stephanopoulos stopped for this photo as he was leaving the Trump Towers two weeks ago during my recent trip to New York.

This shot with Sawyer was from one year ago as the Good Morning America team was at Bryant Park to learn how to ice skate.

I wrapped up a short trip to New York last night by meeting actress Carrie Fisher following the performance of her play Wishful Drinking at Studio 54. Fisher was in a great mood as she chatted with fans about the play and about her life. She signed playbills and posters from the show. And, she posed for this great shot.

I'll have more photos and stories from the trip in the weeks to come.

Catching up from a week ago tonight . . . here's actress Melissa Gilbert as she departs from the Fox Theater in St. Louis following the opening night performance of the play, Little House on the Prairie. Gilbert has the role of "Ma" in the production; she was Laura in the original TV series.

This shot was just inside the backstage door of the theater thanks to an invitation by one of St. Louis' finest. As Gilbert walked out the door, she ignored a request to sign a couple of 8 x 10s, but then decided to sign after I asked a second time.

Actor and comedian Robin Williams stopped by Braden Auditorium on the campus of Illinois State University for a sold-out performance of his Weapons of Self-Destruction Tour last night, and he stopped for a large group of collectors and fans upon his arrival.

He signed multiple autographs and posed for everyone. Robin signed this photo of us from the Late Show with David Letterman this past May and a vinyl copy of his comedy album, "Robin Williams: Throbbing Python of Love."

Kudos to Robin! I must say this beats paying $350 for his official "meet and greet."

Oscar-winning (1994's Ed Wood) actor Martin Landau was in Chicago this past weekend as the special guest at the Chicago International Film Festival for a Sunday screening of his new movie, Lovely, Still.

I met Landau as he arrived at his downtown hotel with his daughter and grandson. He signed one autograph for myself and for two other collectors and then posed for this shot.

Landau, who is best known for his roles in Mission Impossible and in Space: 1999, was Gene Roddenberry's first choice to play Spock on Star Trek.

Kelly Clarkson, the first American Idol winner, is in Springfield, Illinois, tonight at the Illinois State Fair. Earlier this afternoon, she stopped on the way from her tour bus to a Starbucks to pose for this shot and sign a CD for me. Earlier this year, her single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," advanced from No. 97 to No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart in its first week of release, breaking the record for the largest leap to the top position in chart history.

About 15 minutes later, I grabbed this photo with Kelly's opening act, singer Eric Hutchinson.

The "Wizard of Waukesha" has played his last note. Les Paul, the man who is credited with the invention of the electric guitar, died today at age 94.

I had the privilege of meeting Les four different times following his weekly Monday night shows at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City (you never knew what music legend would show up to play with Les on a Monday night; Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Slash, Steve Miller, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Van Halen to name a few). Les made you feel like a true pal. He was always ready with a warm handshake and a friendly greeting for each person who waited in line to meet him following the 10 p.m. show. It was a privilege to sit next to Les as he signed and answered my questions. I always mentioned I was from near St. Louis and he'd recall his days playing guitar on KMOX radio. Les was a great signer; one of the best. Guitars, CDs, albums, pickguards, photos, you name it, Les put his name on it.

The above shots are from my last visit with Les on December 9, 2008, my last visit with Les. He hadn't been feeling well, and there was some doubt as to whether he'd make his post-concert appearance. Nevertheless, after about 20 minutes he appeared from backstage and walked over to "his booth" to meet and greet his fans. He signed a CD for me and two, 8 x 10s, all personalized with "To: Kevin" and his trademark "Howdy" greeting.

It was Man vs. Food Saturday at the Cozy Dog Drive Inn in Springfield.

The Travel Channel's Adam Richman was in town to profile three restaurants for his show. He visited Darcy's Pint on Friday, The Cozy Dog Drive Inn on Saturday, and Joe Roger's Chili Parlor today. At each stop, Richman profiled and sampled the restaurant's trademark dishes (Darcy's Pint-horseshoe; Cozy Dog-cozy dog and home cut fries with vinegar; and Joe Roger's-five alarm chili).

During a break in learning how to prepare cozy dogs, Richman signed an 8 x 10 and posed for this shot. The Springfield feature is set to air in approximately eight weeks.

And that's the way it is . . . Walter Cronkite, CBS News, goodnight. The legendary news anchor died today at age 92.

This photograph was taken following a fund-raising event in New York City on May 15, 2006. As Mr. Cronkite was leaving the event, I asked him to pose for a photograph. I don't think he heard me, so as I continued to walk with him, I asked again. He heard me this time and stopped for just a second so I could snap this shot. This was my second time to meet Mr. Cronkite. I first met him following a St. Louis Speaker Series appearance in 2001. There, he signed a copy of his book, A Reporter's Life, for me. I asked for a photo then, but he politely declined as he was in a hurry to get back to his hotel to catch the end of a Yankees World Series game.

The Tony Awards were tonight in New York, and here are your winners for best leading actor and actress in a play:

Marcia Gay Harden in God of Carnage
and

Geoffrey Rush in Exit the King.

Both were generous with their time following their plays last month in New York. Marcia likes to ride her bicycle to the theater as I spotted her several different days either arriving or departing. And, I got both the same night, about 15 minutes apart. How's that for ironic?

I have several updates . . . so here it goes:

I was saddened to learn of the death of actor David Carradine this past week. I met Carradine last year in Peoria, Illinois, as he was in town promoting one of his movies for the new Hallmark HD Channel. He signed several 8 x 10s from his Kung Fu days and Kill Bill DVDs and inserts. He signed each with his name and then drew a "ying/yang" symbol. And, he posed for the above photo, not once, but twice, as the first shot was a little out of focus.

Singer Frankie Valli stopped by the Sangamon Auditorium on the campus of the University of Illinois at Springfield this past Wednesday for a sold out show. As Vallie emerged from the venue after his sound check, I asked him for a photo. He sort of looked around and told me to make it very fast. As his driver fumbled to get the door to his town car open, I then asked him to sign a CD, but Valli looked ahead and ignored my request. I asked again as he returned in the town car moments before the show. His first words as he opened the car door, "I can't sign anything now, I'm late for the show." I asked if he do it afterwards, and he nodded his head yes. Almost an hour after the show's end, he emerged from the stage door tunnel. About 15 fans were still waiting. He signed my CD and two 8 x 10s, although he didn't have much to say.

Here's more from my recent New York trip:

I want to rock and roll all night and party every day with . . . Gene Simmons. The fire-breathing, blood-spitting bassist and vocalist of the rock band KISS was in New York May 15 to promote the new season of his A&E television program, Gene Simmons: Family Jewels. Simmons stopped to chat briefly and pose for this shot as he waited for his limo to arrive. Simmons was accompanied by his partner, former Playboy model and actress Shannon Tweed.

Just as soon as Simmons got into his limo, 80's rapper MC Hammer arrived at the front door looking for his ride. Hammer was a willing singer and took this shot with me. He's slated to have his own reality show later this year on the network.

Actor Benjamin Bratt was also promoting his series for A&E called The Cleaner. Even though his publicist was trying to get him through the lobby of the building and on to another appearance, Bratt stopped to take photos with a group of fans.

I returned last Friday from an 8-day trip to New York City with just over 100 new photographs. Here are some of the highlights from the trip:

On May 12, I made the trip downtown to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex. Yoko Ono was appearing at one of several events to promote the display: John Lennon-The New York City Years. As she arrived in her Mercedes V12 sedan, her "people" quickly let us know she would not have time to sign autographs on her way into the event. Nevertheless, I asked if I could wait and she nodded, "yes," as she passed by me. About an hour later, she emerged and said, "You are still waiting for me?" Upon that statement she walked over to me and signed an 8x10 photo and posed with me for the above shot.

Any Star Trek fans out there? Here I am with the new Spock and Kirk at an event May 9. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto agreed to pose for this shot after signing an 8 x 10 for me.

Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush is currently starring with Susan Sarandon on Broadway in the play, Exit the King. Rush, best known for his role as Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, couldn't have been nicer. This Australian actor really enjoys interacting with his fans. Rush signed several photos and took this photograph with me following an evening performance of the play.

I had not one, but two encounters with Academy Award winning director Ron Howard. Howard was in town to promote his latest movie, Angels and Demons. This shot is after the Colbert Report taping. Earlier in the day, Howard signed several photos and posed following his appearance on Good Morning America. Ron is one of Hollywood's definite good guys as he signed and posed at nearly all his promotional stops.

Finally, here's the legendary Jane Fonda. Fonda currently stars with Colin Hanks on Broadway in 33 Variations. This shot was taken following a weekend matinee performance of the play. In addition to signing playbills, Fonda was good about signing other items from her career. And, she always has her dog, Leah, along side.

It's time to catch-up . . . so here it goes.
On Friday night, I made the cross-state trip to the University of Illinois Willard Airport in Savoy, Illinois, to catch-up with actor Matt Dillon as he arrived for his appearance the next day at Ebertfest in Champaign. Dillon was the second passenger off the plane. I greeted him as he exited the escalator, and for a moment, I believe he thought I was his driver. I asked for a photo and he obliged. As my friend, Mark, asked for a photo, Dillon replied, "OK, let's just do this." He posed for Mark and then signed one item for each of us. It was clear that it was a "one" autograph night for Dillon. As he was signing my 8 x 10 from Crash, I tried to chat with him about his running and his favorite places to run in Manhattan. Unfortunately, he didn't feel much like talking.

On April 17, Legendary singer, songwriter, and actor Kris Kristofferson stopped by the Bottleneck Blues Bar at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri. And, thanks to my friend, Mark, we got to see his show for free.

Following his 90-minute set, Kristofferson reappeared in the Bar to meet fans who attended the show (you had to have that magical “hand stamp”). He was in a great mood as he chatted up fans, signed autographs, and took photographs.

A few weeks earlier, I was expecting a quick down and back trip to Lambert St. Louis International Airport to meet Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin. However, it turned into an extra couple of hours in the terminal as their flight was delayed almost two hours. Upon arrival, I walked with them and several other collectors as the duo made their way to baggage claim. Mandy was accommodating as he posed for this photograph and signed an 8 x 10. Patti, on the other hand, just wouldn't take a photograph. She said she had no makeup and her hair was a mess. It didn't look that way to me. She just wouldn't budge. This made the fourth time I've tried for the photo. Maybe next time? Nevertheless, Patti did sign an 8 x 10 for the collection.

Finally, on March 28, Richard Dreyfuss was about a mile from my home. He was appearing, along with Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer, at a special Lincoln Bicenntennial program at Illinois College. Following the program, both signed autographs and posed for photos with just about everyone who wanted the opportunity. Dreyfuss signed a photo of us taken two years earlier at a Shakespeare Festival private reception in St. Louis. He had a little trouble recalling the event, but he liked the photo and joked "well, at least we both look good." Holzer, meanwhile, took a liking to the photograph too. Afterwards, he signed an 8 x 10 shot for me and posed for the picture below. He then said, "Now, you'll have to find me next year so I can sign OUR photo."

Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union and General Secretary of the Communist Party, is in Peoria, Illinois, today to visit Eureka College as part of Ronald Reagan Day at the college (President Reagen was a 1932 graduate of the college) and to speak at the college's Ronald Reagan Day Dinner at the Peoria Civic Center. President Gorbachev worked with President Ronald Reagan to end communist rule in Eastern Europe and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his efforts.

President Gorbachev stopped for this photograph as he was leaving his hotel this morning enroute to the college. My friend, Jay, spotted his interpreter a few minutes after we arrived at the hotel. He asked if it would be possible to get a photograph with President Gorbachev. With local police, state police, and his own security detail standing next to us, we waited patiently for President Gorbachev to arrive in the lobby. He was led into the lobby by another member of the security team. The interpreter immediately motioned for us to come over for the photograph, telling President Gorbachev (in Russian) that we were the gentleman who had been waiting for the photograph. I extended my hand to greet him as I approached for the photograph and he returned the handshake. He continued to hold a firm handshake as the photo was snapped. What was remarkable was the size of his hands. They were extremely large and thick (visible in photo above). He seemed to genuinely enjoy the quick interaction he had with us. After the photographs, his security team quickly moved him out the door and into a waiting Cadillac for his trip to Eureka College.

A throng of collectors from both St. Louis and other cities greeted Paris Hilton as she arrived at Lambert St. Louis International Airport Friday night for an appearance the following day at Macy's. Paris was just as nice Friday night as she was about a year ago when she made a similar stop in St. Louis. She signed and posed for pictures with just about everyone. Paris was especially interested in seeing her high school yearbook, which she signed for my friend, Jay. She probably would have continued signing longer; however, an overzealous collector displayed a copy of her infamous pornographic DVD. Upon seeing the disk, she promptly dropped the Sharpie on the ground and literally went skipping out of the terminal to her waiting car. That would have made some interesting video for TMZ!

Earlier in the afternoon, I got a photo and a signed book from comedian Steve Harvey at the new St. Louis downtown location of Left Bank Books. Harvey's book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, is currently on top of USA Today's best seller list. Although the book signing resembled an assembly line, Harvey did take a moment to look up at the camera for this shot. I'm happy I got this shot as we heard later from other collectors that he refused to pose for pictures as he left the book signing and at the hotel.

Unfortunately, I struck out on meeting any of the cast from the movie, Up in the Air, currently filming in St. Louis. I did manage to see Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, and George Clooney, but couldn't get close enough for a photo or an autograph. I also spotted director Jason Reitman. I watched Clooney film a late night scene at 8th and Walnut Street where he was riding in a taxi wearing a space suit, complete with a helmet and mask. The taxi drove about a block, stopped, Clooney got out and walked about 10 feet, stopping right in front of the camera. I'm not sure how that scene plays into the movie, but I'll be anxious to see if it makes the final cut.

Martha Stewart stopped in St. Louis Friday afternoon and she brought cookies!

Stewart was at Macy's in West County Center to sign copies of her latest cookbook, Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook. While waiting in line, we were served some yummy sugar cookies and double chocolate chip cookies (Martha's recipes, of course) and bottles of San Pellegrino. Martha knows how to do a book signing!

As I approached the table, I noticed a sign outlining the usual book signing rules (no posed photos, no personalizations, no other items, etc.). As luck would have it, I was the next to last person in line, so I decided to ask for the personalization and for the photo and was rewarded with both, although the photo is the dreaded "bend and twist over the table shot." I don't imagine that would have happened if I was near the front of the line. Accompanying Martha at the table, sitting quietly on each side, were her two French bulldogs, Francesca and Sharkey.

As the signing concluded, she posed for a group shot with Macy associates and then headed to an office area to sign more books. About 15 minutes later, she emerged and browsed through her namesake collection in the linen department. As she left the area, I asked if she'd stop for a better photo and she politely agreed to take another.

Later in the evening, I caught up with pop singers Richard Marx and Matt Scannell as they arrived back at their hotel from their sold out show at the Argosy Alton Casino. Marx, a 2004 Grammy Award winner, signed a platinum record award for my collection. The award is from his first release, Repeat Offender. We chatted about his new disk with Matt and about a tour he did with Warren Zevon in the early 90's that I saw in Springfield, Illinois. Marx, by the way, has written 13 number 1 singles and 40 top 40 singles. That's quite an accomplishment! Scannell is the lead singer of the band Vertical Horizon.

The evening wrapped up at the Touhill Performing Arts Center with a new photograph with folk singer John Prine. Prine posed for this shot and signed a picture of the two of us from a encounter about a year ago in Springfield, Illinois. I forgot to ask if he played, "Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian." It's one of my favorite Prine tunes.

Last night in St. Louis, Missouri, the Judicial Learning Center and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, presented An Evening with the Honorable Sandra Day O'Conner at the Ballpark Hilton Hotel. Justice O'Conner was the first female justice on the United States Supreme Court.

Despite being surrounded by eight members of her security detail, she stopped to pose with me for this photograph and pose with three other collectors as she left the event. After she took the photos, we all asked her to sign; unfortunately, she politely declined our request and was quickly whisked away to her waiting vehicle outside.

Exercise guru Richard Simmons was in Springfield, Illinois, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this morning to exercise with nearly 1,000 of his fans as part of a National Heart Month celebration.

Before the one-hour aerobic session got started, Richard made his way around the hotel's ballroom to meet and greet his fellow exercisers. He was full of hugs and kisses for everyone, yes, even including the guys. In order to get my photo (from a meeting three years ago at The Today Show) signed, and get a new picture, I had to submit to one of his hugs. I'm glad no kisses were involved.

....the things we'll do to get a picture and an autograph.

It was a 3 for 3 Friday night in St. Louis.

My evening kicked off with Oscar-nominated movie director Jason Reitman. Reitman was talking with film students at Webster University's Moore Auditorium. Reitman, whose Dad, Ivan, directed Ghostbusters, talked about making movies and then took questions for about an hour. It was an interesting program as Reitman really connected with his audience as he talked about his philosophies on making movies and told stories about his previous movies. Following his talk, he strolled to the lobby where he continued talking movies and signed autographs and took pictures. He even signed a couple of the "hamburger phones" featured in his movie, Juno.

Next, we headed the the Blanche Touhill Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis to catch up with the only musical artist to win a Grammy for R and B, Jazz, and Pop: Al Jarreau. I had arrived in the late afternoon at the venue, hoping to catch Jarreau as he arrived; unfortunately, he was already in as I saw heard him through the auditorium doors doing his sound check. So, I returned to Touhill and waited for Jarreau to exit following his show. He was literally the last man out of the building at nearly midnight, but he said, "Sure, I can do that," when asked if he would sign and take a picture. Speaking of the picture, take a long at his index finger pointing at me. Reminds me of E.T. :--)

I finished up the evening with a trip down highway 70 to the Ameristar Casino where the Pointer Sisters were headlining the Liver Foundation's Annual Boogie Ball. With the event almost an hour over, it was doubtful that I'd see the group, but decided to give it a shot anyway. Luck was on my side as after only about 10 minutes, Ruth, Anita, and Issa Pointer came walking through the Casion on the way to their hotel rooms. They happily stopped to sign an 8 x 10 for me and pose for this group photograph.

Canadian songstress Lesley Pike was at Illinois College in Jacksonville last night for an acoustic set at Cummins Dining Hall.

Following her hour-long performance, Pike met with concert goers to sell her latest CD, Blink, and sign autographs. Pike, who was the opener on Jason Mraz's most recent tour, talked with me about her travels (she had a 12-hour drive to Toronto the next morning), Canadian musicians whom she admires (Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Cochrane), and about the butterflies on her CD cover (real) and on her promo photos (Photoshoped in).

This is not one of my proudest shots . . . but here is ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich at a labor rally in Meredosia, Illinois, on September 5, 2005. What do I remember most about the encounter? After signing and then asking for a photo, he turned around to check his hair in one of the building's windows.

Rest in peace . . . Billy Powell.

Billy, keyboardist for the southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, stopped to sign autographs and pose for this shot as the band left their hotel before a April 20, 2008, concert at The Center in Springfield, Illinois. Powell, along with Gary Rossington, were the only two original members of the band to survive the 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines.

Cheech and Chong "lit up St. Louis" last night as they brought their American tour to the Pageant.

I caught up with the comedy duo as they arrived yesterday morning at Lambert St. Louis International Airport on a flight from Kansas City. Both cheerfully posed for photos and signed multiple items for the six collectors in attendance, even though their manager tried to get them to stop signing autographs. Both Cheech and Chong ignored their manager, with Cheech at one point telling the manager to "just relax."





Later in the afternoon, I met Grammy-award winning comedian Lewis Black as he exited the Four Seasons Hotel on his way to a benefit show (Tony LaRussa's Stars to the Rescue Benefit) at Chaifetz Arena. I had gotten his autograph at a previous meeting, but was unable to get a posed photo. Black is up for another Grammy this year for his disk, Anticipation.