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Since I Met You BabyPosted Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at 4:00 PM
While spending 8 hours in the Denver Airport last Friday, I began thinking of some of the celebrities who I have met over the years. For a long period of time in my life I was travelling almost constantly and it seemed like where ever I went, I'd run into some celebrity and quite often it would be at airports. On this Denver trip I never saw any celebrities, but I did see two Elvis impersonators browsing magazines at a newsstand and one young man sipping a beer at the Mesa Verde Lounge with either at least a dozen rings through his lower lip or maybe a miniature slinky that had gone haywire.
During one layover in Atlanta several years ago I met Ernie Banks in the Baggage Claim area and listened to him talk for about 15 minutes while he was waiting for his buddy Jerry Lumpe to pick him up. Ernie was very outgoing and asked me numerous questions about my family and my job. Not long after that, in the same Baggage Claim area, I met Bernhard Langer. I noticed a gentleman from a limousine service was holding a placard that read 'B. Langer' so I walked up and asked if he was looking for Bernhard Langer. This limo driver, who was obviously not a golf fan, said "Yes, do you know him?" So when I saw the two-time Masters' Champion, I pointed him out and then introduced myself to Bernhard. Bernhard immediately noticed my Phil Harris jacket and asked where the course was located. I explained where it was and invited him to come visit someday. He hasn't made it yet.
Once after having a wonderful dinner at the Montgomery Inn in Cincinnati, Matt and I got the opportunity to meet and talk with Oscar Robertson. When I told Oscar that I was from Greene County Indiana, he smiled and said, "I know where that is, I ran in the Linton Relays." Later that day at the Reds game, I was surprised when my kids had the home team put up a message on the large video screen in the outfield that said, "Welcome Laker Legend Keith Sims". I know there had to be a bunch of old guys sitting in the stands explaining to their grandkids that the Sims fellow must have played with George Mikan on the old Minneapolis Lakers. It was a great birthday present, plus I got to meet my all-time favorite basketball player, The Big O.
Hanging out at the Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport used to be a common occurrence for me and I saw a lot of celebrities walking through those concourses. Meeting Hank Snow one day was pretty cool for me and this event probably took place in the late 80's or early 90's. When I saw Hank I just had to amble on over and ask, "Where have you been Hank?" and he just smiled and said, "You know...I've been everywhere man." Made my day.
I also met Steve Mariucci at DFW and then wound up sitting next to him on the flight to Indianapolis. He was reading some papers on the flight so I didn't bother him, but he did ask me to hand his empty cup to the stewardess. I thought that was a nice gesture by a celebrity.
In 1976 or 1977, I can't recall exactly which year; I met Baldemar Huerta in Anchorage, Alaska. By then he had already changed his name and had become much better known as Freddy Fender. At the time, I thought that seeing Freddy Fender at a dog sled race was really weird, guess I still do. I never did like much of his music but that cat sure had some wild hair. I did like his version of "Since I Met You Baby", but that's a great song and hard to mess up. It always reminded me of an old girlfriend from way back in Junior High.
I don't need nobody,
To tell my troubles to
Cause since I met you baby
All I need is you
But she dumped me for some older guy and life, somehow, managed to go on.
One evening (back in the mid to late 70's) at the Elmendorf Air Force Base Officers' Club, I met Minnie Pearl and her husband. Heck, I didn't even know she was married. It was strange to see her without her hat. Who knows, maybe her husband won't let her wear it when she is out with him.
Back in 1979, while I was attending the Army's Air Defense Officers' Advance Course at Ft. Bliss, we were treated to an afternoon with Omar Bradley. My class was seated in a small auditorium and General Bradley was wheeled into the room in his wheelchair. Although his frail body couldn't carry him, his mind was extraordinarily sharp and he talked for about 2 hours on various military and political topics. I thoroughly enjoyed his description of his time in North Africa with Patton. Near the conclusion of his visit, several students were called on to ask questions, but I wasn't one of them. Although I did have my hand in the air, I don't recall what I was going to ask him. I'd probably ask him now what he thought of Karl Malden as Omar Bradley.
A few years back we held our Global Demil Symposium at Coeur D'Alene, Idaho and flew into Spokane, Washington. Coeur D'Alene Resort is absolutely one beautiful place and one that I hope I can get back to someday. As I approached the desk to check-in, I saw another celebrity and (much like finding Freddy Fender in Anchorage) I couldn't believe that I would find this guy in Idaho. It was our very own Greene County Commissioner, that former great Central Tiger athlete, Mr. Steve Lindsey. What a treat. On the return trip, I was going to get some coffee at the Spokane Airport and I met Lou Brock. He was in the area doing some scouting of some high school athletes. Can you imagine meeting two superb athletes such as Steve Lindsey and Lou Brock on the same trip? That is dang near beyond belief.
Last fall on our golfing excursion to Mesquite, Nevada, I had the opportunity to meet Frank Robinson. Frank and I shared a brief conversation one morning when we were battling neighboring slot machines. Seems to be a real nice fellow and was quite the ballplayer in his time. I was surprised that I was so much bigger than he was, but then again, I seem to be a lot bigger than a lot of people nowadays.
My favorite celebrity encounter came by way of work back in the early 80's when I was logging wells for Schlumberger. After logging a shallow well close to Corpus Christi, I was informed that I needed to go downtown to discuss the log with Joe Dawson, an oilman and geologist, who had an interest in this prospective oil well. As I was let into his office by his secretary, I couldn't help but notice the total elegance of how this room was furnished and then...I saw the picture behind his desk. It was Joseph Turner Dawson at a much earlier age being decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Captain Joe Dawson Commander of G Company on Dawson's Ridge was sitting right in front of me and he wanted to discuss my log of his oil well. Somehow I made it through this logging discussion and satisfied his curiosity about a few strange anomalies on the log. He thanked me for my time and I started to leave, but I just couldn't leave without telling him how I felt. I stopped, turned and said, "Captain Dawson, it has really been an honor to meet you." He looked up, smiled and thanked me again. I was hoping that my comment might entice some conversation about his war time experiences, but I could tell that this was a sincere business man and he wasn't going to be wasting time chatting about events that took place so long ago. It was his life and his space and I was not going to intrude any further. It was quite an honor to meet him.
Captain Dawson and his G Company held Dawson's Ridge under devastating fire from the Germans for 39 days. His unit lost 117 out of 139 men, but held the ridge until relieved. For those of you who would like to read more about Joe Dawson, I would suggest the following book, "From Omaha Beach to Dawson's Ridge: The Combat Journal of Captain Joe Dawson".
So if you will, tell me about some celebrity encounters that you may have had over the years.
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Finally something I can brag about...years ago I had the opportunity to meet REO Speedwagon (the whole band) backstage at one of their concerts in Evansville-I worked hard for that one by singing one of their songs on the radio to win a contest. Back in the '70s I was dragged to an Elvis concert, by my sister (it turned out to be his last) and, after nearly getting arrested and trampled to death, I got to shake his hand. At that time, I had no clue that it would turn out to be one of my finest memories. Then, just a couple years back, I was on a business trip (one of many), in DC-I took the moonlight bus tour. Sitting next to me was Jacqueline Mitchard, author of "The Deep End of the Ocean". We chatted and by the end of that ride were on a first name basis. I make friends everywhere I go but there are those special moments when you know you've truly added to your list of what I call "shining moments"...and those are just a few of mine.
Now I know why i've never met any celebrities,
I haven't been spending enough time in the
Men's Room.
Speaking of urinals----met John Daly last year at the Houston airport (urinal)--on his way to the Mayacoba Classic in Mexico
Someone sent me an email once...it was a photo of a beautiful Dallas Cowboys cheerleader with her right leg kicked up high way over her head and her arms were out stretched with her pompoms. A real prize of a specimen. The caption below the photo read: Yea, but just remember somewhere there is a guy who is sick of her sh*t!
Larry Bird has the biggest paws I've ever shook hands with. He would frequent our old restaurant up in Indy...one night in particular I recall sitting with him at our small bar (he kept bumming cigarettes off of my ex) and listening to him tell stories of traveling the world. I guess the thing that impressed me the most about him was his appreciation of everything, and that he was a regular guy.
Peyton and Archie Manning & wives (also just nice, regular folks) would come in from time to time. Once the whole Colts team came in for a big meal. And some of the Pacers too, including Reggie Miller. And race car drivers Mario and Aldo, John and Michael Andretti. And some others...
The thing I've learned about "celebrities" is that the 99.9% I've met simply want to be treated as regular folks. So whenever someone of fame would come in to my place I would not make a big deal about it, or ask for an autograph or photo. I treated them with respect and and they appreciated that. Whenever someone in the restuarant would go up to their table and stand there and talk, I would always go to the table and say "Pardon me, I noticed your food might be getting cold, may I warm that up for you?" Usually the intruders would get the hint and leave them alone.
The number of urinal encounters has forced me to write another article. I'll try to edit the thing and have it posted tonight before I have to relive another visual of Mutt and Jeff relieving themselves.
Wigs, it was either Leroy Staley or Bob Heaton.
Here's to Cody Sims, a future blogger, and to his Mom Jody, a very wonderful person.
CUBHATER, I also stood next to Bill Walton once. It was in front of the Checker Dome in St Louis after UCLA won the national championship in 1973. He went 21 for 22 from the field. The best performance in a college game I have ever seen. I also passed by his back up center before leaving the dome. His name was Swen Nater. After graduation I think he was the only person to lead the ABA and NBA in rebounding. It is not hard to figure out why UCLA was so good.
A few years later I stood next to Larry Bird at a urinal. I don't think anybody can name his back up's name at Indiana State. It is not hard to figure out why he became "Larry Legend".
I stood next to Bill Walton at a urinal once. They don't call him the big red head for nuthin.
The alert among you will notice I changed my login. Cody is 8 days old and doing fine, as is his Momma.
Saw Don Maynard at a restaurant near El Paso back in the 70's. I think the restaurant was called The State Line, it sat on or very near the border between TX and NM.
Last night I was sitting at a slot machine at French Lick and I heard someone say, very loudly, "Hey there's a celebrity...look, it's Ol' Simmons." I won't embarass that slightly inebriated person by printing her name. An elderly lady sitting in a wheelchair next to me wanted to know if she could have my autograph. I got a laugh out of her when I told her that I only sign wet t-shirts.
Wigs, you are still the same.
Last year for our birthdays celebration, Matt, Mel, Patrick and I sat at a table across from 8th ranked tennis star, James Blake. We were "celebrating" with some wine, a few bottles....then Mel talked me into introducing myself. I think I talked for about 6 hours. I'm pretty sure that's why he looked so tired and lost his match 2 nights later.
I wouldn't have been able to pick Hank Snow out of a lineup, much less an airport full of strangers. Looked up his bio, born in Nova Scotia, said one of the things he was most proud of was gaining his U.S. citizenship. Glad to hear that, I'm always a little suspicious of country singers who weren't born in the good ol' U. S. of A... just what country are they singin' about? Just ain't right them comin' here takin' jobs from hard-workin' 'merican singers.
When my Dad was a boy, he and my grandparents met Norman Rockwell. Pretty cool.
Speaking of wrestlers, I forgot that we ran into Hulk Hogan at a movie theatre while I was living in Florida. He was watching a movie with his wife (they got along back then) and daughter. My wife talked with him for about 10 minutes, he was a very nice guy. The usher told us that he frequented that particular theatre often, he likes movies.
Wigs, if you like "Across the Borderline" then maybe you might like to check out "Pancho and Lefty" by Townes van Zandt. The version performed by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard (good video, too, nobody's got voices like Willie and Merle, you can see Townes playing guitar at the bar in the end of the video) is probably the best, but I like the original by Townes as well. There's also a live version on youtube with Willie and Bob Dylan, which is quite good too.
While you are out there, check out "Merry Christmas from the Family" by Robert Earl Keen, Jr., and try to tell me that doesn't remind you of our family. While on the subject of Robert Earl Keen, Jr. there's a couple of his songs I'm sure you'd like as well, "The Road Goes on Forever"and "Bar-b-Que". I became a Bobby Keen fan after attending a few of his live concerts while living in Ft. Worth.
Darn, all this talk of Tex-Mex music keeps me thinking of all kinds of good performances, like "Seven Spanish Angels" with Ray Charles and Willie.
It is interesting to read these reponses and I too, have found myself sharing comments with a celebrity or two.
In Tampa, FL, at a bar with some friends and said Hi to "Macho Man" Randy Savage as he walked by with two Ladies where he promptly gave us a "Hey whats Up Fellas" in his best Macho Man Voice.
I met John Rich and Big Kenny of "Big and Rich", standing at a Boarding gate with their guitars, right before they came out with Save a Horse Ride a cowboy and no one knew them. I Knew of the Group from previous song they had out on the radio and when I saw the sticker on their guitar case, I asked them if they played for Big and Rich. John Rich Said...Play with them? We are them! Then things went bad when the flight crew would let them carry on the guitars. They finally won out.
My family and I spent 20 minutes prior to a Pacers game with Rik Smits. My Family hosted an exchange student from Holland and Smits Agreed to meet him.
One of my favorites of all time happened downtown Indy about this time of year a few years back after a Pacers Playoff game. We were waiting in line for the valet at Morton's Steakhouse,to bring our car around after the game when I noticed AJ foyt standing right in front of me. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if he could get our car for us.
He laughed, said "yeah, I'll get right on that" and asked us if the Pacers won or lost. We talked for a moment about the game and his car came.
I met George Steinbrenner once. He, like I, was saying good bye to his family at the Tampa airport. Nice chat.
Once, while in Las Vegas, I was one of those poor slobs goaded into getting up on the stage. I was doing pretty well singing along with Connie Stevens, right up until 3 male dancers came out expecting me to dance across the stage with them!!
Years ago Dad and I were at a VFW lunch with Chief Boatswains Mate Williams, the most highly decorated sailor, ever, in the US Navy. We didn't actually meet, but it was still quite an honor!
i shook hands with Dick The Bruiser after his 'rasslin match with the Handsome Johnny Starr in Hulman Center.
Wigs, you might try singing it as loud as you can while running down the road in a thunderstorm with only your underwear on. Beyond that the only other two cures I've found are a full frontal lobotomy or a full bottle in front of me.
OMG Simmons I went to you tube and listened Freddy Fender, "Wasted days and wasted nights" & "Before the next teardrop falls". He has some good stuff! I also read my little brother's response and listened to "Across the Borderline" with Freddy Fender and Ry Cooder. Lil' Hahn knows more about music than I thought. It is a good listen.
Doggone it Simmons! I have been singing "Since I met you baby" for two straight days. Don't know if it will stop. Have any advice?
I got a kick out of all of these responses; they tend to make writing these articles much more enjoyable.
I don't recall ever meeting any race car drivers, but I did sit next to Al Unser's mother on a trip to Albuquerque and I've had a few drinks with a "Guy" who once shot a race car driver.
Now I know why they call Al Yankovic 'Weird Al".
Come on now...mothers and fathers of your son's best friends don't qualify as encounters with celebrities.
Adultery and murder in Elnora? I've got to read that.
Thanks county gal that made my week.
By the way, Keith, I got a copy of "Henry and Clara" from Amazon, and I plan on reading it this weekend. Looks interesting.
I also located the other book I was talking of, "Indiana Gothic". (I thought the name was "Hoosier Gothic", maybe that's why I had a hard time finding it).
"Indiana Gothic" is written by Pope Brock and it is (a mostly true story) about his ancesters who lived in Elnora around 1900. It involves adultery and murder.
I think Ivory Joe Hunter did "Since I met you baby" originally. It is a shame you had to sit and listen to Freddy Fender sing it. The fact that you liked it anyway is a testament to how great a song it is.
I can't remember meeting any real celebrity,
but I do know a blogger that's a legend in his own time- I think his name is Al.
Ol' Simmons, I recall you telling about performing on stage with Bob Hope one day at West Point. They didn't come much bigger than Bob (Fill in the blank) Hope!
The celebrities I have met are pretty much all musicians. Chick Corea and his wife Gayle Moran stopped over at our table after performing at a night club in Buffalo. I am an acquaintance of Billy Sheehan (rock bassist with Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin), knew him and spoke with him several times when we both lived in Buffalo (and before he started making REAL money).
Ran into Rodger Ward at the Indy airport one time, he was giving autographs.
More recently, I met Gen. Wesley Clark at the DNC here in Denver. He was a very personable guy, and gave a great talk. Also, met Chris Matthews of MSNBC and Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico.
Met Sen. Birch Bayh when he was in Bloomfield in 1965 to break ground for the hi-rise.
My wife and I met Weird Al Wankovic at a motel pool area next to Six Flags amusement park in St. Louis about 15 years ago.Offered him a beer, he said no thanks.I thought that was weird.
Sims, I can't believe you don't care much for Freddy Fender's music. His version of "Across the Borderline" with Ry Cooder absolutely sends chills down my spine every time I heard it.
He's right up there with Narvel Felts in my book.
Hey, next time you are stuck in the Denver airport for 8 hours, let me know, I'll drive over and we can have a brewski or two.
I've gotten to meet a rock star, but that's not my favorite celebrity encounter. Mine involves my husband's uncle, the late Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard. My hubby was talking to his uncle one day, and the uncle said he had to get to the golf course--he was playing a foursome with some friends. The foursome he was a part of? Tony George, John Mellencamp's dad, and Evan Bayh. When he lived in New Albany, IN, he played at a local course and took golf lessons from the pro in the pro shop...Fuzzy Zoeller.
Had beers with Peyton Manning, and whiskey with Sam Bush within weeks of each other.
Sam has shared the stage with Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, Don Reno, and many others responsible for the entire bluegrass movement.
All we talked about was baseball.
I tried to pry valuable fantasy football information from Peyton as it was Addai's rookie season and he entered camp competing for carries with Rhodes. Peyton wouldn't come off with anything of value, and I finished seventh.
I still haven't forgiven him.
The only one that comes to mind right now was last summer in Bourbonnais, IL. I went up to catch a Saturday evening and Sunday morning Bears practice. Leaving the hotel on Sunday morning I saw a large fellow and a young lady walking their dogs in a grassy area between the two hotel parking lots. I recognized that it was Brian Urlacher, so I stopped to ask if I could get his autograph. He was a very, very large man, but very nice at the same time. My only regret is that I didn't shake his hand to see how big of a paw he has.
Mike Cook at Aggies
During my short stay in Israel Jan - Apr 1991 during the first Gulf War:
USMC BG (at the time) Anthony Zinni
Benjamin Netanyahu
Senators Inouye (Medal of Honor recipient, btw), Stevens, Nunn and Warner
NYC Mayor David Dinkins
Mayor of Miami Beach (hard to count as a VIP if I can't even remember his name, I guess) I'm sure it was a good political move for mayor's of cities with large Jewish populations to come to Israel during the war.
Dr. Ruth. She visited as part of a USO type entertainment group. She told us she hoped all the soldiers defending Israel would get back to the US safely and have great sex. I assumed she meant with our spouses.
We joked that we got Scuds at night and VIPs during the day and that the VIPs were the bigger hassle of the two.
Fuzzy Zoeller at his Covered Bridge Course. He asked me how I liked the course and I told him it was in great shape and fun to play, that I was playing with both of my sons, and that it didn't get any better than that.
Slick Leonard, in the Pebble Brook Golf Course parking lot where my middle school team plays. He used to be a fairly regular player there. Boom baby!
GOA Omar Bradley, twice. Once during the same type class Ol' Simmons mentioned and again when he came to visit my motor pool. He was the Soldiers' General, my guys enjoyed his visit and he seemed to like being with them.
Colin Powell. A firend of mine was escorting him on a visit to Ft. Bliss, TX and I got to meet him. This was pre-Gulf War, he was only a VIP in military circles at that time.
Billy Keller occasionally stops in at school to hand out brouchures for his camps.
Dave and Billy Shepherd, (IHSAA Mr. Basketball 1970 and 1968, respectively) father and uncle to one of Jeremy's best friends and Dave is owner of Shepherd Insurance, where Jeremy works.
Judi Warren, first Miss Basketball in Indiana. Mother of another of Jeremy's best friends.
my dad has had some of the same luck as you Simmons. he's met a sitting VP, a Secrtary of Agriculture (who he refused to shake his had lol-story there), he was in Basic training with a cardinals broadcaster, and he and I talked antique tractors with a hall of fame pitcher. But the one that stands out best occurred at the Terre Haute Action Track in the early 60's. Dad broke possibly one of the Biggest Guy Rules.. ya talking to the guy next to you at the urinals... AJ Foyt and he talked for a while-- not about racing LOL (if you know my dad you know he's never on the same page as everyone else at that time) Dad's buddy came to him afterward and ask him if he knew who he was talking to.. he thought thats who it was but it didn't matter.lol
Several years ago I had to go to China Lake for work. I had never been there and someone had booked all of our reservations. When I arrived and walked inthe lobby it was very full of the roughest looking bikers you ever saw. Must have been around 100 of them and I mean these guys looked like they were straight out of the hells angels. Found out later that they were filming a movie in the desert near there and all of these guys had showed up to try to be extras. The benefit was Jean Claude VanDam was the star and was staying inthe same place so we ran in to him several times over the course of 2 weeks.
Eddie Cheever was my favorite celebrity encounter. He walked over and asked to borrow some air at Newcastle a few years back, and asked Jessica how she got started in racing. He then talked about his dad got him started. We didn't even realize it was Cheever until someone walked over and asked what he had been talking about. The look on Cheever's face when he was talking about growing up, you could tell the guy had been places and really had a good time. Hey, it's May.