Friday, May 14, 2004

Weekend Assignment #5: Brushes With Fame
The man has a huge hit.......

"Fact is, we're all fascinated by fame and celebrity, and most of us can remember our brushes with fame: Meeting people who are famous, or were famous, or even related to people who were sorta kinda famous once. With that in mindWeekend Assignment #5: Recount your most memorable encounter with celebrity. If you haven't met anyone famous and don't know anyone who has, here's an alternate assignment: Reveal your first celebrity crush (and of course, for extra credit, do both). Who counts? Well, movie stars, rock stars, sports stars, famous politicians or religious figures, important businessmen or diplomats -- heck, even local celebrities like newscasters, DJs or newspaper columnists will fit the bill. And by "encounter," it can mean everything from actually partying with them to just being in the same room as they are, so long as it was memorable in some way to you. I'm not picky, I just want to hear a good story of brushes with fame. "


Here's my homework:

I have a few stories about brushes with frame....on my passport photo I have Bob Hope's and Jim Nabors' signatures as they were coming back from Spain on the same commercial plane I was on. They were back from a war benefit and I was back from my grandparents. All I remember was that the Jim Nabors guy seemed really, really silly to a five year old.

My next brush with frame was truly a brush....that famous Hank Williams gave life to a son. Let me just say that I waited BACKSTAGE for what seemed like a lifetime and the son simply brushed past all of us waiting to take pictures and get his autograph to a limo filled with what appeared to be rented women. He stopped only long enough to grab a bottle of whiskey.

At this same concert the opening act was Johnny Cash....now there is a real gentleman for you. There is a reason people always smile when they say his name: he was really nice. Down home and real. An unsung hero that only got true recognition after his death.

{I also met Ladmo of "Wallace & Ladmo" and almost won a Ladmo Bag but if your not from Arizona this means squat to you.}






Ladmo is on the right.

See folks I don't always remember everything just right.....but what I wanna know who was the Jim Nabors impersonator on my plane?



And who the heck is Vita Blue??? Anyone know? LOL!!!

"Hi Honey, Your memory isn't exactly correct with the autographed photo. When we were in Spain and I was working for the Air Force as the Assistant Director for the Youth Center, Bob Hope had his annual Christmas Overseas Bob Hope Show for the guy and gals in the Military. I was invited to attend by one of the MP's. He was friends with the show coordinator. I went to the show and was invited back stage to meet Bob Hope, Jim Neighbor's and Vita Blue (which is the 3rd signature on your photograph.) I wanted their autographs, only I didn't have anything for them to sign that day so I gave the small passport picture of you that I carried with me all the time. Bob and Jim were both very nice men. I got to talk to Jim for quiet a while. Vita simply singed his name then left. Because I was backstage, someone thought I too was star and asked for my autograph. When I tried to explain that I was a nobody, they said just sign it for me anyway. So now you have the story of the photograph that I am glad to hear you have. I must have given it to you a long time ago. Please keep it safe because both Jim and Bob are gone now. You wrote: " I have a few stories about brushes with frame....on my passport photo I have Bob Hope's and Jim Nabors' signatures as they were coming back from Spain on the same commercial plane I was on. They were back from a war benefit and I was back from my grandparents. AllI remember was that the Jim Nabors guy seemed really, really silly to a five year old." Love, Mom"



I goggled Jim Nabors and he's still alive. What can I say both my mom and I are true blondes!!



ckays1967 at 9:07:00 PM PDT Link to this entry

This entry has 7 comments: (Add your own)
Hey I met Bob Hope too! But, I was a grown. I didn't ask for his autograph though, I'm not into those kinds of things. But, my girlfriend got it. He was super nice, especially considering we were disturbing him while he was munching on a sandwich in his car. :-) ---Robbie
Comment from krobbie67 - 5/29/04 8:27 AM



Yes, after gogging Jim Nabors I've discovered that he is indeed still alive.

What can I say? Both my Mom and I are true blondes.

LOL
Comment from ckays1967 - 5/19/04 6:32 PM



Happy belated birhtday 2 Mom...
Research! Isn't Jim Nabors still alive??! And living
in Hawaii? And yes, Vita Blue was a ball=base
player---i don't follo the game myself.
Smooches & thanx 4 reading the slac=glow
Comment from slacbacmac - 5/17/04 5:13 PM



Hi Christina. I enjoyed this entry...the part you wrote and the part your Mom wrote :) I always liked Jim Nabors...that man had a beautiful voice...although he seems to be remembered more for his comedic talents :)
Comment from viviansullinwank - 5/16/04 9:06 AM



Christina, this time you've made me laugh! The liberties you take as my daughter... Vita Blue is " I think..." a baseball star. I can't remember, I was too enthralled by how much makeup Jim and Bob were wearing to pay attention to what my friend told me. Maybe someone in cyberspace knows who he is. Love, Mom
Comment from tsgerkin - 5/16/04 5:53 AM



wow - johnny cash - another great brush with fame...i've always heard good things about that man...

i dont know ladmo..and your link is not working..getting the old red x in a box..
great post christina..



Comment from floralilia - 5/14/04 10:42 PM



Unfortunately fame, like power, can corrupt absolutely. Glad to hear of your much more pleasant and memorable experience with Johnny Cash as well. The Man in Black cared for people, as you can glean from his songs. I'm not surprised that he does in real life, too.
Comment from musenla - 5/14/04 10:23 PM