Friday, December 31, 2010

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.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

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.

Monday, December 06, 2010

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.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

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.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

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.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

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: