Early in July I went for Jason Newsted. He is the second bassist of Metallica, replacing original bassist Cliff Burton after his death. And he was the bassist on albums that featured some of their biggest hits, namely "And Justice for All" and the black album, the latter which features what is perhaps their best known song, "Enter Sandman". Eventually he was replaced by Robert Trujillo.
He does meet and greets with his band after every concert. And they are free! And he signs whatever you have! You don't see much of that in this day and age. Shows you what a nice guy Newsted is.
Waited in his meet and greet line after the show. Of course, someone so nice who allows something so free to happen, there had to be a catch. Newsted insisted that you can't take a solo shot with him. It has to be the whole band. And he made sure venue security enforced that rule. Thankfully you were able to stand next to him and I was able to crop out a solo shot.
Go up to Jason and he is nice as can be, signing autographs and even changing pens. It's a shame not everyone can be so nice.
Jimbo Hart, Humberto Perez, Jessie Farnsworth, Robert John-Tucker, and Jason Newsted
Next day I went to a show for Michael DeLorenzo. He is best known for his appearances in music videos with Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. In the same show is theater actress Alma Cuervo. As the show ends mooch into the venue and see Alma come out first, then Michael. Both are super nice.
The next day wouldn't be so good as I tried for actress Janelle James at a flight and she was nasty and did nothing.
Couple of days later was sub-par. Went to a venue mainly to get rapper Bow Bow who has also been in movies. Then found out his hotel is over an hour from the venue (basically where we left from). PUNCH! Tried a nearby hotel saw Twista but didn't get him. Tried the side of the venue but we got harassed. Went back to the hotel where Twista returned and his people said he would take a photo with us. Nice as can be. Then the venue harassed us again.
Rushed back to see if we can catch Bow Wow but no shock he was gone. Went to another hotel and saw Flavor Flav who was nice. That didn't do much for me as it was an update. Then to a comedy venue where I got the opener Chinedu Unaka and an update with actor Damon Wayans Jr.
After I returned from Shore Leave in Lancaster went for actor Omar Gooding (brother of Cuba Gooding Jr). He came out the venue and was nice as can be. Then went to another venue for musician Taj Mahal. Beat him to his hotel and he did photo ops. Sadly, out of 3 photos mine is invalid and he wouldn't do a redo. PUNCH!
Next up tried for Alison Krauss. Beat her to the hotel or so I thought but turned out she wasn't staying there. I got musician Jerry Douglas who was staying there. He is in her band.
Next day went back to the same hotel and saw another band member of Alison Krauss, Ron Block. Got the photo op. Then went to a flight for actor Bryan Callen and he was nice as can be.
Next day was riding with someone who wanted to try for Kevin Bacon who I already have. Never got his brother Michael Bacon. But they came in early. Then went to a spot for actor Chris D'Elia who I needed a better photo op with. Wait at the venue and randomly see Brock Pierce attending the show. Got another photo with him. Chris then arrives and is nice as can be.
Go back to the Kevin Bacon spot and it lets out. I get Kevin but sadly I have the wrong setting on my camera and the photo comes out bad. It's ok I already have good photos with him from the past and this would have been a downgrade regardless (hat and shades). But I do get a photo with Michael Bacon.
Final spot for the evening is for Stewart Copeland. After his show beat him to his hotel. By extreme miracle manage to score the photo op. This now means I have all 3 members of The Police.
Shortly before going to Galaxy Con in Raleigh I did an impromptu trek to NYC. The reason was because Shania Twain, someone I've failed on in the past, was doing an event that guaranteed photos if you purchase a CD or vinyl at her pop up store near MSG. I got there 8am for a 3pm appearance. But that appeared unnecessary. The way the line was moving one could have easily come at 2pm and been fine. But sadly, we only know that in hindsight.
Got up to her and she was super nice. They used their own camera which made me upset but thankfully it was a super high rez photo op.
After this went to Rough Trade Below for a signing with South African pop singer Tyla. Not familiar with her but seems she is rough on the streets and she has a voice role in Toy Story 5. Got up to her, got the photo op. This ended my time in NYC because my riding buddy wanted to attend Galaxy Con in Raleigh.
Returned from Galaxy Con in Raliegh and went to Tommy Wiseau. His event was almost done when we got there but he was hanging out. Got an upgraded photo op.
Next day there was a tennis event with Venus Williams and other players. I've failed on Venys a couple of times in the past so hopefully this time I score. At a venue, the band called Melvins were opening for Tomahawks. Melvins dates back to the early 80s and has 2 originals. The lead singer Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover. I wanted Dale mainly because he was with Nirvana early on. Tomahawks dates back to 1999 and has 3 originals. The main guy there is Mike Patton of Faith No More but I already had him so that did little for me.
First to the venue where we see nothing. Go to the hotel where we get some players but no signs of Venus. Go to a party spot and there's action there. Confirmed Venus was indeed inside. Got a bunch of tennis players then finally Venus exits with her husband. Here is the most incredible site because she is being the nicest I've ever seen her. My first photo didn't come out and I told her that she goes "ohh noo" and I get a second perfect shot! In that chaos I also got a photo op with her husband Andrea Preti who is an actor. She signed a couple but not for me, and then came a point she goes I'm done and ignored further requests.
After getting more players head to the venue. Wait a bit and Melvins leave. First get the lead man Buzz Osborne (fresh) who wasn't trying to look at the camera and said "I'm not your bitch" when someone asked him to look. Got a dual shot with Steven Shane McDonald and Dale Crover and also got Dale to sign my Bleach CD already signed by Krist Novoselic which Dale said was "cool". Never saw drummer Coady Willis.
Wait until the end of the evening for Tomahawks to leave. First get Duane Denison. Then Mike Patton who was surprisingly nice. Then Trevor Dunn. Somehow, we missed John Stanier going into the bus probably when we all got Mike. But we asked Trevor if he could tell him to come out and he did and was super nice. Overall, a successful day.
On the final day of July went for actress Justine Skye. Waited for her to come out and she was super nice. Then to a venue for bluegrass singer Keller Williams. Find the place where he exits and he was nice. Also got Tim Carbone, a band member of his.
