The look back at 2011 continues today with these shots from two original members of the band Rare Earth. Gil Bridges, lead vocalist (top), and Ray Monette, lead guitarist, stopped to sign some lyric sheets and pose for these shots as they arrived in St. Louis, Missouri for two sold-out shows in September at the Alton Argosy Casino in nearby Alton, Illinois.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. This week, I'll be posting some celebrity pics that time didn't allow me to post earlier this year. Here we go.

Here's guitar wizard Eric Johnson following his August 2 gig at the Old Rock House in St. Louis, Missouri. Johnson, who in my opinion is one, if not the best, living guitarists, stopped for this shot as he exited the venue. He also placed a beautiful signature on an Ah Via Musicom gold record that has been in my collection for several years. I was glad to finally get the award signed. The gold disc was presented to the Album Network, and Johnson and his manager eagerly wanted to know if I worked for the company. I just laughed and replied, "No, I'm just a fan with a really cool Eric Johnson gold record in my collection." Eric is always cool with fans and loves to talk "shop." Here's my favorite EJ song, Desert Rose.

A few days earlier, singer B.J. Thomas signed a couple of 8 x 10s for my collection and posed for this shot as he arrived in St. Louis, Missouri, for two sold-out shows at the Alton Argosy Casino. One of the 8 x 10s was a posed shot of the two of us from a previous meeting. Thomas remarked about the Texas Rangers jersey he was sporting for the photo and how good his team was playing. Little did we know that the Rangers and Cardinals would meet in the World Series.

Last Thursday was a busy night in St. Louis, Missouri. My evening started with this shot with Hercules, better known as actor Kevin Sorbo. Sorbo was appearing at the Jewish Book Festival to promote and sign his new book, True Strength. He spent quality time with each fan in line, signing books, photos, and other items, plus posing for photos.


The Jack Buck Sports Awards at the Missouri Athletic Club was next on the list. As the event was wrapping, I spied 2011 World Series MVP David Freese signing at the head table along with his Cardinal teammate Lance Berkman. Both players were extremely pleasant to everyone at the event, staying until the last person had an autograph or a posed photo. Freese signed an 8x10 shot of him rounding third base after his home run in Game 6, while Berkman penned an 8x10 from a World Series batting session in Texas. And, of course, both posed for the camera.

A short trip up Washington Avenue brought me to the Sheldon Concert Hall and a post-concert meet and greet with Peter Mayer and his band following their Stars and Promises Christmas show. Mayer, who currently is Jimmy Buffet's guitarist, signed an event poster and posed for the above shot. We also talked music, including his story of how he almost joined the band Chicago.

The last stop of the night was the TR3 concert at the Old Rock House. TR3 is fronted by guitar wizard Tim Reynolds, who also holds the title of lead guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band. Reynolds posed for this shot backstage following the show. Special thanks to Tim's nephew and fellow collector, Greg, for the post-concert hook-up.

Here's Grammy-award winning jazz composer and pianist Ramsey Lewis before his concert tonight at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chicago native is in St. Louis for a 4-night gig at the club. Lewis stopped to sign a compact disk and a couple of 8x10s after getting dropped off at the front door.

It took some quick thinking, but I managed to grab this shot with Kenny Loggins following his sold out concert last night at the Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom in St. Louis, MO. We'll leave the specifics out for now, except to say that the show was great, especially from our seats in the first row. My only disappointment was he failed to play a couple of my favorites, I'm Free, and Vox Humana from 1985. You get bonus points if you can identify the bass player and drummer in the Vox Humana video, both very famous musicians. No, the bass player isn't Lionel Richie.

 

Irish hard rockers Thin Lizzy were one of the opening bands for the Judas Priest show in Springfield. Here's founding member and drummer Brian Downey. Downey stopped at his hotel before departing to the venue.

While not original members, Scott Gorham and Darren Wharton, are long-time members of the group dating back to playing with the other founding member of Thin Lizzy, Phil Lynott.

And, here's another member of the band, guitarist and Ted Nugent's hunting buddy, Marco Mendoza.

Rob Halford, lead vocalist for heavy metal legends Judas Priest, stopped to pose for this shot as he arrived at his hotel earlier this week prior to his band's show at the The Center in Springfield, Illinois. Halford also signed an 8 x 10 for my collection.

Here's Richie Faulkner, Judas Priest's newest member. Faulkner replaced guitarist K.K. Downing earlier this year following his retirement from the band.

  

American Idol alum and country singer Bucky Covington was in Jacksonville yesterday for a concert stop on his Hometown Tour. Covington's twin brother, Rocky, summoned his brother off the tour bus for this shot.

Following game 7 of the 2011 World Series in St. Louis:

Joe Torre, former major league player, manager, and future Hall-of-Famer. Currently is Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball. He left with a former teammate, Bob Gibson. Gibson doesn't stop for anyone. Period.

"The Big Hurt," Frank Thomas, former major league slugger for the White Soxs, A's, and Jays.

Tim Kurkjian, ESPN baseball analyst and former Sports Illustrated writer. Congratulated me on the Cardinals win and said "it's a great day to be a Cardinals fan."

Dave McKay, Cardinals first base coach, "behind bars."

John  Rooney, one half of the Cardinals radio broadcasting team.

Mike Shannon, current Cards radio broadcaster and former Cardinal player.

Steve Spagnuolo, current head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

Rick Sutcliffe, Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year Award winner. The Missouri native pitched for the Cards and Cubs and three other teams. One of baseball's "good guys."

Bobby Valentine, former major league player and manager, and current ESPN analyst. He was drafted first by the Dodgers in the 1968 Draft.