Here's the last celeb photo for 2010.

Actor/comedian/game show host Howie Mandel was in St. Louis last night for two sold-out comedy shows at the Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom.

Mandel posed for this shot as we rode together from the Cielo Bar on the hotel's 8th floor to his suite on the 12th floor. He tried to slip past us with the hat and hood, but it didn't work. The security escort was the giveaway.

The biggest selling instrumental musician of the modern era dropped into the Peoria Civic Center Theater last night.

Kenny G, the Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist, performed a mix of his hits and Christmas favorites during the nearly 2-hour show. Near the end of the concert, he made sure to invite fans to meet him in the lobby to buy a CD and get an autograph. In fact, he said not once, but three times, that he'd much prefer hanging out with fans rather than returning to his hotel room at the Holiday Inn City Center. Apparently, Mr. Gorelick was not too fond of his accommodations.

He quickly worked his way through signing for about 300 fans in less than 15 minutes. The man was a machine! He then took a few minutes to pose for photos with those who waited until the signing ended.

Oh, by the way, if you had some extra jingle in your pocket last night, a Kenny G saxophone could have been yours for a mere $1,200.

Morgan Spurlock says "just say no to Ronald."

The Oscar-nominated film maker was in St. Louis Saturday as the celebrity guest for Stache Bash, an event benefiting the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong. Stache Bash is sponsored by the American Mustache Institute . . . say what?

The American Mustache Institute (AMI) - based in St. Louis as the city is home to the world's largest mustache - the St. Louis Arch. AMI is an advocacy organization protecting the rights of, and fighting discrimination against, mustached Americans by promoting the growth, care, and culture of the mustache.

Spurlock, probably best known for his documentary, Super Size Me, posed for this shot as he arrived in the city with the world's largest "stache." Unfortunately, he wasn't the winner of the 2010 Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year.

One of stage and screen's nicest guys was in St. Louis this past Sunday to pick up a Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Louis International Film Festival.

Stacy Keach received the award prior to a screening of his early 70's flick, Fat City. A question and answer session preceded the screening at Lindenwood University. Following the Q and A, Keach mingled with fans and movie buffs while signing autographs and posing for photos.

Stacy's brother, James Keach, was present to help honor his brother. James is an actor, writer, director, and producer. His most recent effort was directing Waiting Forever, released earlier this year. James is married to actress Jane Seymour.

Finally, an early evening screening of Winter's Bone at Webster University featured Marideth Sisco. Sisco makes a memorable appearance as a singer in the movie. She posed for this shot upon her arrival at the screening. Winter's Bone was the winner of Best Picture (Grand Jury Prize) at this year's Sundance Film Festival and is gathering "buzz" as a possible Oscar nominated film.

Television legend Carol Burnett was in St. Louis, MO, last night for a performance of her show, Laughter and Reflection: An Evening with Carol Burnett at the Fox Theater. The 78-year-old actress stopped for this photo as she arrived back at her hotel following the show. Earlier in the evening as she departed for the Fox, she signed one autograph per person while sitting in her SUV.

With Burnett's signature and photo, I now have the entire cast of The Carol Burnett Show!

Before leaving town, I went across the street to the Lumiere Hotel to grab this photo with singer Richie McDonald, voice of the country group Lonestar. McDonald was happy to take the photo and chat for a few minutes before departing. McDonald and Tracy Lawrence performed together earlier in the evening at the hotel's ballroom. Unfortunately, I missed Lawrence as he left for the bus.

Two weeks ago, the Acoustically Speaking tour rolled into St. Louis for a show at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Following the concert, all three featured artists headed to the lobby for a meet and greet with their fans.

I was especially excited to chat with Denny Laine, one of the original members of The Moody Blues and also a member of Paul McCartney and Wings. Laine and his bandmates played several Moodies and Wings songs during their set. Laine signed a Wings and a Moodies piece for my collection.

I got to say hello again to John Ford Coley, one half of the 70's duo England Dan and John Ford Coley. I had met John two years ago in Springfield, IL, and have exchanged occasional e-mails with him since. We had a nice chat to catch up and he signed that photograph from Springfield.

Terry Sylvester was the third and final member of the group. Sylvester replaced Graham Nash as the voice of the Hollies in 1969. After signing a Hollies shot, we chatted at length about various topics, including his excitement about being part of the Solid Silver 60s Show, a 31-date tour later this year in the UK. He said it would be the first time he's toured in the UK for over 30 years. And, he gets to see his family and grandchildren.

Earlier in the evening, I caught up comedian/actor Jamie Kennedy as he departed his hotel in Springfield, IL, for The Funny Bone comedy club across town. He gladly posed for this shot and signed a couple of Scream promo photos for the collection. Wow...the guy even has his own IPhone app!

Check this out from December 2008. It's features me and my friends, Jay, Mark, Doug, and Tony meeting Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters following a movie screening at a theater near Bryant Park in New York City.

And here is the photo:

Captain James A. Lovell, commander of the Apollo 13 mission, was in Springfield, IL, today for a book signing and to receive the Lincoln Leadership Prize.

Captain Lovell stopped in his hotel lobby following breakfast to sign an 8 x 10 of a previous meeting (2006 St. Louis) and pose for this new photograph. As he began signing, his wife made the "ebay comment," but once he saw it was a posed shot of us, he signed and personalized. The new photograph took some convincing, but after a few moments, he agreed to a quick shot.

Check THIS out. Unreal! Dylan is known to be one of the toughest graphs. I have friends who have tried numerous times. This guy snags him on his first try. Amazing! Wonder if it was staged for the show?

Here's George Clinton, "the Atomic Dog," at Saturdays' in-store signing at Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, considered by many to be the innovator of "funk" music, was signing copies of his new release before his evening concert at Chaifetz Arena.

"You can't get them all" was the motto for last Friday's adventure in Springfield, Illinois.

Veteran rockers Cheap Trick and Blondie headlined the Grandstand at the Illinois State Fair. Blondie vocalist Debbie Harry stopped to pose for this photo and sign a Blondie CD as she left her hotel to board the tour bus for the ride to the fairgrounds.

Drummer Clem Burke was right on her heels. He gladly stopped to sign the CD and pose for this shot (proudly displaying his purchase at local music store, Recycled Records, earlier in the day). He also picked up a copy of George Jones' autobiography on the trip to the store.

Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson was next out the door. While posing for this photo, Blondie guitarist Chris Stein left from another door. Before I could get to him for a photo, he was on the bus. Arrgh! Guess he'll have to wait for next time.

Guitarist Rick Nielsen stopped "very quickly" to sign an 8 x 10 and pose for this silly shot. As he was signing, vocalist Robin Zander and drummer Daxx Nielson hopped into the transport van. You can catch Zander "mugging" for the camera in the background.

Unfortunately, rain canceled Cheap Trick's performance and cut Blondie's set by 20 minutes.

It's been a busy weekend with the performers at the Decatur Celebration.

The weekend started with a Friday afternoon meeting at the airport with the former lead vocalist of Foreigner, Lou Gramm. Gramm visited with our group and signed my Head Games CD and the posed for this shot. I'm glad to see Gramm still recording and touring after his bout with a brain tumor.

Today I batted a thousand as I got photographs with all six performers at the Decatur Celebration.

Here are two of the original members of the southern rock band, The Georgia Satellites. Rick Price and Rick Richards. They especially enjoyed sharing the story of hitting a wild turkey on their trip from southern Georgia to Illinois.

Rap took center stage next as I got to "bust a move" with Grammy winner Young MC. He really liked my photograph and added the "bust a move" inscription to the glossy.

Tone Loc was sharing the bill with Young MC this afternoon in Decatur. While it was hard to recognize his much slimmer figure, the distinguishable voice was a dead giveaway. The "Funky Cold Medina" and "Wild Thing" artist put down his bags to sign a CD and pose for this shot. Love that voice :--).

Christian singer Francesca Battistelli stopped for this shot as she made her way to the Christian Music Stage at the Celebration. Battistelli, who swept a ton of Dove Awards (Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year) in 2009, is expecting her first child in a couple of months.

Who was first group to have four top ten singles from their debut release? If you guessed Expose', you win today's prize. The original three ladies are back together, touring a bit, and even have plans to record a new disk. Ann Curless and Gioia Bruno chatted with us for about 10 minutes while waiting for the third member of the trio Jeanette Jurado. Ann and Gioia especially loved looking at my 8 x 10, a shot of the group from the 1990 Grammy Awards. They signed the photograph, and then Jeanette finished it off when she arrived to meet the group. Before they departed for the show, the gals were very gracious to pose for the above group shot.

I wrapped up the afternoon talking with Charlie Daniels as he exited his tour bus to get ready for tonight's show. His first words off the bus were, "how long you been waiting out here?" Then Charlie apologized for making me wait. What a great guy. He gladly signed an 8 x 10 of our last meeting (Illinois State Fair-Springfield) and then posed for this new shot. He thanked me and even worked in a couple of "God bless yous" before walking into the hotel to prepare.

You know how things happen when you least expect them? Well, tonight was one of those times. I scored a photo with one of the founding fathers of rock-n-roll, Chuck Berry!

Normally, Berry is camera shy and usually refuses to pose for the camera. Tonight was an exception. He seemed in a great mood while attending an event at St. Louis City Hall honoring Devon Alexander, current WBC and IBF light welterweight boxing champion, and St. Louis native. As he worked his way through the crowd, he stopped to pose for those who asked. As I asked him for the photo, I thanked him for all his great music. He extended his arm for a handshake and the photo.

One of pop music's legends was in Springfield, Illinois today.

Bun E. Carlos, drummer for the rock pop band Cheap Trick, drove from his home in Rockford, Illinois, to the Eagles Club to demonstrate his signature drum licks, talk about his musical influences, and share lots of interesting stories from the world of rock and roll.

Carlos, whose real name is Brad Carlson, spent nearly two hours talking and playing his signature Ludwig drum kit. In his 30 plus years in music, he's played with lots of great musicians, from John Lennon to Chuck Berry. Following his presentation, he updated fans on his future plans (recording a new Cheap Trick disk) and then took questions. He concluded the afternoon by signing autographs and taking photos with fans.

Now this is a guy you have to admire! He's done this before, but never publicized.

Fridays and the Four have been good the past two Fridays.

Last night, I snapped this photographs with actor, comedian, and musician Steve Martin as he arrived back at the Four Seasons Hotel following his sold out concert with the Steep Canyon Rangers at the Roberts Orpheum Theater in St. Louis. He even put down his banjo for the shot.

A few minutes earlier, Martin signed autographs, in the rain, for about 50 fans waiting at the stage door. I asked for the photo then, but he declined citing too many people. Here's a shot of Martin signing before he autographed an 8 x 10 for my collection.

Check out Steve in action here.

Emmy and Tony Award winning actress Glenn Close was in St. Louis last night as the special guest for the Change a Mind, Change a Life Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel. She posed for this photo near the end of the cocktail hour.

She threw out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game this afternoon and is singing America, The Beautiful during the 7th inning stretch.

I also caught up with actress and fashion model Chloe Sevigny as she arrived in town for tonight's Dada Ball. The Oscar-nominated actress and star of HBO's Big Love, happily signed a Hollywood Life magazine cover and posed for this shot.

My night in St. Louis wrapped up with this photograph of professional wrestling legend Ric Flair. He is in St. Louis this weekend for a pay-per-view event. Flair threw out the first pitch at last night's Cardinals game.

Local Residents See, Photograph the Stars

Thanks to Kathy Rem and the Springfield State Journal-Register for the nice story.

I can't begin to tell you how nice it is when a famous person is less than two miles from your house. That was the case tonight as Helen Thomas, "Dean of the White House Press Corp," presented Illinois College's 2010 Phi Alpha Lecture. She also received an honorary membership in the Society. You may read about Thomas' press conference earlier this afternoon here.

Thomas was very gracious as she stopped to pose for this shot ("Why certainly," was her reply when I asked) and sign an 8 x 10 as she made her way into the College's Rammelkamp Chapel for her presentation.

Yes, she really is that short.

It's been a couple of weeks since I added to the collection, so here are the details.

On March 29, I arrived early at the Fox Theater in St. Louis for a chance to grab a photo and an autograph from Mo'Nique, this year's Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. She's currently on a tour featuring her first love, comedy. She and her entourage arrived a little less than two hours before show time. I did manage to get her attention as she made her way to the stage door, but she turned down my request for the photo. I then asked her if I could get an autograph. At that request, she stopped and moved toward me to sign my 8 x 10. However, I had to hand my Sharpie to her "guy" who then handed it to her. I asked for a photo again, but Mo'Nique said she had to get inside for the show. I inquired about after the show and she answered with a "well see, sweetie."

During the wait for her show to conclude, I did manage to get a new photograph with folk legend Arlo Guthrie. He was in concert at the Sheldon, which is across the parking lot from the Fox. While he used to be a generous signer, Arlo signed just 1 or 2 for the few fans waiting by his bus and then stopped for my photo before boarding his bus.

Back to the Fox, as the crowd exited, I heard people mention something about a "meet and greet" inside the Fox. I decided to inquire, and sure enough, she was meeting fans and posing for photos in the lobby. After a lengthy wait in line, mission accomplished. She posed for this shot, but wasn't up for signing autographs. However, I did manage to get another signed 8 x 10 as she exited the stage door surrounded by her entourage.

Earlier this month, I took a five-day trip to Jupiter, Florida, to visit the St. Louis Cardinals at their spring training home.

Access to the players and coaches was somewhat limited, depending on the location of the practice fields they were using. I did manage to capture these Cardinals photos:

Cardinals Hall of Famer and coach Red Schoendienst.

Relief pitcher Ryan Franklin.

Outfielder Colby Rasmus.

Infielder Brendan Ryan.
Absolutely the nicest player. Signed for over a half hour after one practice. He even got out of his car to sign for some fans waiting at the player gate.

Third baseman David Freese.

. . . and here's former Cardinal slugger and current coach Mark McGwire signing my baseball. He declined my request for a photo. McGwire generally avoided those who pushed things to the front to get signed and had a keen eye to pick out those who he had signed for earlier.

You noticed the jackets? Yes, it was cold . . . very cold for Florida.

Contenders for Country Weekly's hottest bachelor: country singer Josh Thompson or me. You decide. :--)

Thompson was at the Springfield, Illlinois, Best Buy location for an in-store mini-concert and signing prior to his opening set for Eric Church at The Center. Thompson did a 3-song set before meeting his fans and signing his disk, "Way Out Here."

I was finally able to the last signature on my REO Speedwagon items this past Thursday during the band's stop at the PCCC in Springfield, Illinois. That last member was bassist Bruce Hall. I missed Bruce during the band's appearance at Busch Stadium to sing the national anthem at the Cardinals home opener in 2007.

Bruce gladly added his signature to my items and posed for this shot.

I also spent some quality time with vocalist Kevin Cronin as he returned to the band's hotel after taking some pictures of the state capital. Cronin always make sure to get his photo taken in front of a state's capital building whenever he is in a state capital city. He said he already had a Springfield shot, but it needed updated. Cronin also shared the story behind the song "The Ballad of the Illinois Opry," a song he wrote during a trip to Springfield in the early 70s. Cronin recalled he may have been under the influence of some "special mushrooms" which helped him write the song, his vision of the Grand Old Opry in Illinois.

Drummer Bryan Hitt and guitarist Dave Amato also stopped for photos as they entered the hotel after an afternoon of visiting the Lincoln Presidential Museum. Amato has an extensive music resume and he talked with me and a group of other fans about his time working with Ted Nugent, Motley Crue, Cher, and his infamous appearance on a Michael Bolton video.

Styx and .38 Special were also on the concert bill. Another one of music's nice guys, Styx's James "JY" Young posed for this picture before departing for the show. Unfortunately, I had to depart the hotel early for an out-of-town meeting and missed the rest of Styx and .38.