STORM2K

I posted a topic regarding who you would most enjoy meeting....now I'm asking who have you met? Have you ever met a famous person or celebrity face to face?

In 1982 I was very honored to meet actor Claude Akins ("Sheriff Lobo" and "Movin On") and actress Pia Zadora while on duty as a security officer at a five-star restaurant in Buckhead (North Atlanta).

I was also fortunate enough to meet one of my heroes in 1995...the late, great NFL Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. His brother Eddie (who also played in the NFL) lived in the same golf course community near Madison, Mississippi as my brother in law and sister (on the next street).

Among other celebrities I've been privileged to meet are former POW Ronald Young Jr, former Congressmen Bob Barr and Newt Gingrich, current US Congressmen Mac Collins and Phil Gingrey, Civil Rights advocate and Georgia State Senator Tyrone Brooks, former pro football coach Jerry Glanville, and several professional wrestlers (event security at the Omni)...including "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, Kevin Sullivan, Ric Flair, Randy "Macho Man" Savage, and the late Miss Elizabeth.

I also once met and said "hi"! to former president Jimmy Carter's daughter Amy....when he was Governer of Georgia, and her a cute little toddler (I was on a school field trip to the Governers Mansion in the 3rd grade

What about you??

God Bless,
Perry

I've had the good fortune to meet former President Carter (very nice man who had no business being the President), General Norman Schwartzkopf (have an autographed copy of his book "It Doesn't Take a Hero", and former Prime Minister Margaret "Maggie" Thatcher of England.

I haven't met anybody that you would label as famous....but...take a journey back in time to somewhere around 1965, 1966. I personally met Major Mudd and got his autograph. Is there anybody out there that remembers the "Major Mudd Show"?

Oh...I did sit in the booth right next to Ziggy Marley at a restaurant at Myrtle Beach....but that's about it!

Jim Kelly, from the the Buffalo Bills

While working at Channel 5, I met alot of packer players including Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher, KGB (Kabeer Gbaja Biamila), Na'il Diggs, Darren Sharper, LeRoy Butler, Willam Henderson, Brett Favre, Ahman Green, just to name a few. Ahman Green was in my psychology class Freshman year (UWGB)...that was a class to remember! Those were just current players........former Packer Larry McCarren worked right along side of me! He's the sports director for WFRV! (PS...he has a short, short fuse...seriously, DO NOT piss him off! Take my word, there's a $20 bill posted in the Control Booth due to a 'chair' mishap with a producer)

Does Trent Lott count? If so, he is my Uncle and Godfather.

I had the pleasure of shaking hands with George Bush Sr. when he came to Marshfield,Mo. when I was 8 or 9. It was for the 4th of July celebration there. He also told me I did a good job singing. Our bluegrass band played right before George was to speak. I don't know how he heard me, but I guess he did.

I have also met Jean Carnahan (although most of you will shake your head and run away in disgust). She was a very nice lady to me.

I have also met Rhonda Vincent. In fact, several times.

I shook hands with Georgw W. Bush, when he came to Fort Drum.

Lindaloo......when can I get his autograph? I have an idea...you give him a picture of you, have him autograph it, and then send it to me.

I've known this little secret for quite a while, but now that it's out in the open....I think he's a great guy who got railroaded...I'm amazed you were able to keep this under your hat considering the hits he took. You are to be commended!

I think of you everytime I see him on Hannity & Colmes.

Now how about it Linda....Major Mudd ring any bells? You mustn't be old enough

There are so many people I've met over the years while in radio and in journalism:

Politicians and government types--Former Pres Bush (when he was VP), former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, the late Congressman Morris Udall (with whom I established a friendship), Congressman Jim Kolbe of Arizona, Surgeon General Rich Carmona (a personal friend. My wife and Dr. Carmona worked together for many years in trauma at a hospital in Tucson, AZ).

Entertainers--Alice Cooper, Rick Wakeman, the late Michael Landon (became friends with him while working together on a tennis tournament he sponsored), Chicago Cubs broadcaster the late Harry Caray, Larry King, Rush Limbaugh.

Sports--Cubs great Billy Williams, Steve Kerr, Sean Elliot, Kenny Lofton, Rodney Peete.

There are plenty more...

Holy Cow...you met Wakeman? What year? He is IMO the greatest keyboardist out there.

How about a little insight about what he's like. I've read some fans reviews of a book signing the group did in Philly, and they say he's quite the gentleman with a great sense of humour.

If you ever make it to Mississippi to one of our family reunions j, you can meet him. Otherwise, I steer clear of his politics.

Yes it was hard while at TWC Off Topic board to keep quiet.

Using the word "met" loosely (as in a handshake or hello, nice to meet you" I have "met" a handful of folks over the years.

While in Vietnam, I shared shrimp creole at a table for four with actress Susan Anton (who was then Miss California).

Went to high school with Miss America 1969...Judi Ford. Met Janet Lynn, Olympic figure skater.

Then there was Davy Jones of the Monkees.

A handful of sports figures...Harry Carey, Billy Williams, Greg Maddux, Richard Dent, Jim MacMahon, Refrigerator Perry, and Tom Lehman (the only PGA golfer on my list)

In the area of weather...former NWS chief Joe Friday, Ted Fujita, Rich Johnson, Fred Ostby, David Ludlum, Sol Hirsch, Ken Spengler, among others.

azskyman wrote:
A handful of sports figures...Harry Carey, Billy Williams, Greg Maddux, Richard Dent, Jim MacMahon, Refrigerator Perry, and Tom Lehman (the only PGA golfer on my list)

I caddied for Jim Dent....1974 or 75 at a Pro-Am in Holden Mass. He was the Longest hitting Pro on the Tour at the time. The rest of his game was subject though.

I haven't met anyone famous, but about 7 or 8 years ago before they became famous, The Backstreet Boys came to my middle school and gave us a free concert. I remember laughing at them and thinking yeah right, like their going to make it. Guess I was wrong. LOL

j wrote:Holy Cow...you met Wakeman? What year? He is IMO the greatest keyboardist out there.

How about a little insight about what he's like. I've read some fans reviews of a book signing the group did in Philly, and they say he's quite the gentleman with a great sense of humour.

My wife and I went to his 21st birthday party. I had interviewed him for my radio program. He invited us to attend his party after the concert he gave in Hamburg, Germany. I think that was the King Arthur tour. Yes, he was quite the gentleman. Not like a lot of the rock 'n' roll entertainers I met over the years. Seemed to be a rather quiet fellow but could get rowdy if necessary. And, yes, he is quite the wizard on keyboards. He had a set up of six keyboards and managed to play all of them! They were set up like a drummer set ups his skins. After the show, the group came out for an encore, played it and the crowd wanted more. He commented to the audience on the third encore that they didn't know anything else. Would it be okay if they repeated some songs from the show? The crowd roared its approval. Great show!!

<start Robin Leach voice>

I grew up in Sarasota, Florida. Several celebrities call the Sarasota area a 2nd home.

I sat in the lap of Mel Tillis and his bodyguard(Mel's lap not the bodyguards) and had a few drinks with them in Venice Florida. (He didnt stutter by the way)

I have met Brian Johnson of ACDC, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and Jerry Springer. (No, I wasn't on his show LOL) My brother in law is friends with him and they go golfing and fishing when he is in town. Mike Alstott and Shaun King of the Bucs. Former Bucs players I have met (as a kid wearing my bright orange bucs shirt) are Lee Roy Selmon and Ricky Bell.

I saw Scott Baio at LAX and exchanged smiles with him. Although I didn't get to shake either hand...I was within 15 feet of Ronald Regan and GW Bush Sr and accompanying wives at a function in DC.

I think that covers it.

<end Robin Leach voice>

Lindaloo wrote:Does Trent Lott count? If so, he is my Uncle and Godfather.

Definitely Lindaloo.....a U.S. Senator outranks all the U.S. Representatives I've met (and I'm not related to any of them).

The "most famous" person I'm blood kin to is Doug Worthan....longtime Security Director of the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise. I am a distant cousin of country superstar Alan Jackson.....very distant (do 8th cousins count?

Although I haven't met them in person yet, I'm already very good friends with gospel singer/ songwriter Eric Horner and his wife Debby. How good?? Debby called my on the phone a few weeks ago and we (and Eric) talked for well over an hour.

I also called them several times in May trying to get them added to former POW Ronald Young Jr's Douglasville homecoming celebration (a liason between Eric and Douglas County officials...they gave me their home phone and cell numbers).

I can't wait to meet them...am telling everyone (political leaders; media outlets) locally I can about Eric's new CD "Freedom Rings" (including his hit single "She is a Hero"), and his website -- trying my best to get them some concert dates set up at local area churches.

Ricky Medlock.....former lead singer for Blackfoot, now playing guitar for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Spent a day fishing and then had a wonderful dinner! :38: