The Goo Goo Dolls & Ryan Star 4/27/13

My school brought in the legendary Goo Goo Dolls, with opener Ryan Star for our Spring Concert. I had been anticipating this for months, and they did not disappoint signing wise. My school is about as easy as it gets 'graphing wise, so I just sat in the sun for a while. Ryan Star and his band showed up VERY early. Actually before I even woke up, but I caught them walking around.

Ryan was really cool, he asked me a lot about school, my major, etc.

Edit: After seeing the show, I have to say WOW! Ryan and his band are great, he can really sing. Their live sound is amazing!

Ryan Star:

His Band:

The Goo Goo Dolls showed up maybe 2 hours later, and founding member Robby came off first. He was very nice, and was impressed with my collection. He genuinely seemed happy to see that someone had a variety of CD's which was pretty nice. He signed 10 CDs (One is not pictured).

Johnny, the lead singer, and other founding member, came off the bus about a half hour later, and was SO nice. He also signed all 10 Cds, and took a picture with me. Meeting Johnny was one of the coolest experiences I've had in a long time. I was telling my girlfriend on our way back that it was the happiest I had been in a while after getting some autographs.

I got touring member, Brad Fernquist, on "Something for the Rest of Us", because that was the only album he did studio work on that I had with me. He was also really nice, and when he was walking up he joked, "You know I'm not Johnny right?" 

We shared a laugh, and I take it he gets called Johnny a lot by people because he sort of has some of the same features, but is bigger and looks older.

The concert was amazing, they actually played a number of new songs from their upcoming album, on top of the classics like "Iris", "Slide", & "Name".

Total Autographs Today: 26

Total Autographs for 2013: 185

 Top Autographs for 2013: 1)Rudy Giuliani 2)Sonia Sotomayor 3)Johnny Rzeznik 4)Jim Rice 5)Jeff Bridges 

3x Grammy Winner (2011 Best New Artist) Esperanza Spalding 4/25/13

This is by far the latest I have ever blogged, but I really wanted to get this entry up. I have an insane amount of work for school lately, but I found a pocket of time tonight to head to Uconn and meet a truly unique person and artist.

I really wanted to 'graph Esperanza, because she really isn't like any other artist out there. She is known for beating Justin Bieber and Drake for the Best New Artist Grammy in 2011, but she has done even much more than that. She won 2 Grammys earlier this year, and continues to make some of the most unique music in the world.

I showed up a little before the show and she was already in, so I hung around until after the show and went back to her bus. After waiting for a while, a very nice guy who was in her band I believe, told me that she would actually be signing inside at a table. I was disappointed that I had waited for so long, but was happy that I knew I could meet her at the same time. I went inside, and there was a line of maybe 75 people. I got in back, and was through in about 40 minutes. Esperanza was very personable towards her fans, talking to each one, and taking pictures with whoever wanted them. She was nice enough to sign an album for me, along with 3 photos.

I have had a lot of fun with Uconn's events in the theater this year, and I'm sad they are coming to an end, but next fall should bring some more surprises.

Total Autographs for 2013:159

 Top Autographs for 2013: 1)Rudy Giuliani 2)Sonia Sotomayor 3)Tommie Smith 4)Jim Rice 5)Jeff Bridges 

Rap Phenom Kendrick Lamar &Steve Aoki 4/19/13

Wow. Well as usual Uconn 'graphing gave me a hell of a story to tell you guys.

So I got to the campus at like 5:30, because I did NOT want to wait until after the show like some other times there. This time, the concert was in Gample Pavilion  the arena rather than Jorgensen so I knew going in it would be exponentially tougher than usual.

When I was walking around I first saw 2  identical buses  but quickly ruled them out as simply promotional buses  I walked around the arena, to an area I had only seen once before(when we were chasing for Dick Vitale). At this location, there were 3 large tour buses  I was quickly questioned by a woman rent a cop and was told to go away, and that I could not be back there. I walked away, and kept glancing over my shoulder only to see the woman peeking around the corner to make sure I made the entire 200 yard walk.

I decided to go back to my car to rethink my plan, and by this time it had started to drizzle, and the wind was terrible, which made my chances even worse.

On my way to the car, I saw the other act, Steve Aoki, who was nominated for a Grammy this year, walking around with his friends. He stopped no problem, was very nice, and gave me a super cool 'graph:

After that, I went to my car, and listened to some of the Boston Crisis on the radio. With a new sense of energy after I heard the good news, I went back to the great spot I had before, and this time the scene was SO different. The security people were being super conversational with me, probably after realizing that it's not a huge deal to have ONE QUIET person waiting back there. 

At about 8:10(or so) Kendrick's manager, who I have heard really good things about in the past, came over to me, asked me if I was a big Kendrick fan, and said that Kendrick was busy on the bus(probably smoking a j), but I will not complain, and brought my two album panthlets onto the bus and had Kendrick sign them for me. While Kendrick does not have that great of a 'graph, this was still a pretty cool success

Here is an example of Steve Aoki's work on the mixing board:

Total Autographs for 2013:155

 Top Autographs for 2013: 1)Rudy Giuliani 2)Sonia Sotomayor 3)Tommie Smith 4)Jim Rice 5)Jeff Bridges 

Just a note: I've been having a really hard time keeping a top 5 for the year, becasue frankly 90% of the stuff I have gotten this year would be #1's or #2's in years past. This is why I have been switching a few names back and forth. I can't believe that Kendrick won't make my top 5 with it only being April, but it has been a great year.

P.S. Boston is the best city!

Giveaway #3 Former Red Sox Rich Gedman

Hello again everyone! I am happy to announce the website's 3rd drawing, which this time will feature former Red Sox player Rich Gedman!

I know I promised another one of these a while back, but I have been busy with college as you can imagine.

This drawing will end in two weeks on May 1st.

Also to note, nobody ever claimed the Chris Carpenter giveaway, so the first person to comment, will win that, and also be entered into this drawing.

To enter, all you have to do is comment on this post with an email address, OR email me at garrettberthiaume@sbcglobal.net. 

-gbautographs.com is not responsible for any card that is lost in the mail.
-I will tell the winner the day I mail it to them.
-The photos below represent what his signature looks like, you will get a perfect card, but not necessarily one of the EXACT ones pictured.

Thanks for participating!

Comedian/Actor K.T. Tatara 4/15/13

Tonight my school hosted the very funny, K.T. Tatara. Tatara has been featured on several shows on Comedy Central and Showtime, as well as Californication, and an episode of How I Met Your Mother(The Sexless Inkeeper, from Season 5), which happens to be my favorite show.

Tatara's show was pretty funny, and I think he is a comedian who is greatly underrated. He has a lot of funny videos on his YouTube channel, which is titled K.T. Tatara.

After the show I went up to him, and he signed my photos. He was really nice, and somewhat shy, or surprised it seemed that someone brought photos.

As I said though, he is a very funny comedian, and it is really worth checking him out. I was really excited when I found out my school was bringing him in, and they did a great job this entire year getting quality comedians.

I apologize for the poor camera quality, I don't have access to a scanner usually at school as you guys know. I will scan them this weekend.

Here is one of his YouTube videos, give him a subscription!

P.S. On a day like this, things like autographs and entertainment become so trivial,  Boston is in my heart.

Total Autographs for 2013: 152

 Top Autographs for 2013:1)Tommie Smith 2)Rudy Giuliani 3)Sonia Sotomayor 4)Jim Rice 5)Jeff Bridges 

Pawtucket Vs. Rochester 4/14/13

I haven't had this bad of a 'graphing day in a long time. I got to the stadium super early(probably at 9:00 a.m.) and 99% of the Sox were already in. From what I understand no other 'graphers got any Sox either.

David Ortiz pulled in after a little bit, and despite standing right outside his Escalade's window, he would not roll it down for me. People got him yesterday, but ohh well.

Off of the Rochester bus I got Kyle Gibson, who despite being a great guy, I had always missed somehow.

He signed 2/3:

There was no sign of Oswaldo Arcia, so I'm not sure whether or not he was there today. He was not in the line up either.

I also did a team sheet inside, and got a number of players on it:

From top to bottom, panning left to right:

Mark Sobolewski

Chris Colabello

Brian Dinkleman

Eric Fryer

P.J. Walters

Bruce Pugh

Virgil Vasquez

Total Autographs for 2013: 148

 Top Autographs for 2013:1)Tommie Smith 2)Rudy Giuliani 3)Sonia Sotomayor 4)Jim Rice 5)Jeff Bridges 

Portland in New Britain 4/11/13

BASEBALL 'GRAPHING IS BACK!!!!!

For my first game of the season I decided to hit up New Britain, because the Red Sox AA affiliate was coming in for their home opener with many new faces.

I had originally wanted to go to the day game tomorrow(Friday), but it was looking like it would rain all day tomorrow. Another option was Pawtucket tonight or Friday night, but again, rain was going to be an issue.

I took the short drive to New Britain after class, and I got there just in time. I was SHOCKED when the bus pulled up because I had only been there for about 10 minutes.

Off of the first bus, it was hard to stop many guys because at that point there was only one other guy and I. We stopped the best 2 prospects, Connecticut native Matt Barnes, and Xander Bogaerts.

Bogaerts signed two, then said, " I sign 2. I get 2 hits and I sign more."

The second bus came in about an hour later, and nobody stopped at all. Daniel Bard seemed to want nothing to do with anything, and completely ignored us.

Anthony Ranaudo wouldn't sign inside for me, but I got a number of guys.

I was able to get Barnes again on a ball:

Former Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman:

He would have signed them all, but he seemed super paranoid about getting hit by a ball during BP.

Infielder Kolbrin Vitek(The scan got cut off just a bit):

Ryan Dent, who was nice as always:

And finally, Ronald Bermudez:

I tried to get Bob Kipper right before BP, but he said he would get me later. I left soon after.

Total Autographs for 2013:139

 Top Autographs for 2013:1)Tommie Smith 2)Rudy Giuliani 3)Sonia Sotomayor 4)Jim Rice 5)Jeff Bridges 

1968 200 Meter Olympic Gold Medalist and Civil Rights Activist Dr. Tommie Smith 4/5/13

After last night's Jim Rice signing, I didn't think my 'graphing week could get any better, but it sure did tonight.

It's not often enough in my opinion that athletes become true heroes, but to many, Tommie Smith represents a rare exception.

As some of the older readers may know, on October 16, 1968 Mr. Smith broke his own world record to become the 200 meter Olympic Champion. It wasn't so much the actual race that was important to history, but what was to transpire after. As Tommie and his teammate/Bronze medalist John Carlos took to the podiums, as the Star Spangled Banner began to play, they raised their fists while wearing black gloves to show their great support of the civil rights movement, and African American pride. This was surely a gesture heard around the world.

Soon after, Smith was banned by both the USOC, and IOC for life, so this would go on to be his only gold medal at the Olympic games, but the legacy he left behind was much more important than any award.

Since those games took place, Smith has played in the AFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, earned a doctorate in Sociology, coached track, and traveled our country to talk about human rights.

Tonight, he was at Uconn for a lecture at Laurel Hall. I got to the hall about 50 minutes to 5:00, which was the scheduled time for the event, and waited in the lobby for Mr. Smith to come in. It was almost 5:45 and there was still no sign of him, but I suddenly heard a door to the auditorium open, and out walked Tommie.

"Mr. Smith, could you please sign your autobiography?"
"Certainly! Of course I will!"
He was truly such a nice guy, and I also got him to sign a poster, which he inscribed multiple lines, without me even asking!

This was really one of my favorite 'graphing experiences, and even more importantly, I learned an awful lot during his lecture which I stayed for.

Book:

24x36 Poster, which he signed BEAUTIFULLY(This may be my new favorite piece):

Total Autographs for 2013:122

 Top Autographs for 2013:

1)Tommie Smith 2)Rudy Giuliani 3)Sonia Sotomayor 4)Jim Rice 5)Jeff Bridges 

National Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice & Bucky Bleepin' Dent 4/4/13

I had been planning for a few weeks to hit up this event at Mohegan Sun, but there was one issue.... it was in a bar and I'm only 20. Luckily for me, I have a nice beard going, and that is all I will say on the issue.

I was excited to meet these guys, because I had never met either. Jim Rice is of course in the Hall of Fame, and a Red Sox legend, and Dent is infamous for breaking members of  Red Sox Nations' hearts in 1978.

I had brought my dad just in case I couldn't get in, and also for some good company during my wait. We got there at 5:00 for the 7:30 signing, and were probably 40 people back. I liked our chances, and it went as well as it possibly could have.

Bucky was more friendly, but both guys were Very quiet.

I saw a ton of familiar faces and it was cool to catch up with many of the New England regulars.

I was very shocked that Mohegan was allowing outside items, because for the Jon Lester signing last year, they only allowed their photo. They were actually allowing TWO outside items per person + the giveaway photo!

Between my father and I, we got 3 Jim Rice baseballs, a Sports Illustrated from 1979, 2 photos, 3 Bucky Dent baseballs, and 2 Bucky Dent photos.

I captured a video of my interaction with the baseball legends:

We got to take a picture with Rice also!

Total Autographs for 2013:120

 Top Autographs for 2013:

 1)Rudy Giuliani 2)Sonia Sotomayor 3)Jim Rice 4)Jeff Bridges 5)Branford Marsalis