Meeting Randy Newman
It’s not every day you get to meet one of your heroes.
Marcie and I went to see music legend Randy Newman in concert at Redwood City’s Fox Theater earlier this evening. Not only was this exciting enough, but through my association with a very cool group of fellow Randy-philes called Little Criminals (LCs), Marcie and I were able to get our names on Randy’s backstage guest list. So not only did we get to see an excellent concert by one of the greatest singer-songwriters/film composers of all time, but we were actually able to meet him afterwards!
While I don’t like to think of myself as the star-stuck type, I couldn’t help but to be nervous to meet someone whose music I’ve loved for so many years. But he was as nice as you can imagine and we spent a few minutes chatting about a number of random topics. Marcie told him that I love playing his music on the piano and that Melody has had almost continuous exposure to his music since day one. Throughout it all, I tried not to drift off into rambling incoherence, but he was always very kind and genuine.
Before we left, I asked if he would mind posing for a photo and he didn’t hesitate to put his arms around us and strike a pose. Although the resultant photo (below) catches him with his eyes closed, I’m still thrilled beyond words to have it. And as Marcie reminds me, Randy typically sings with his eyes closed, so his “peaceful” pose is perfectly appropriate.
I’d like to extend a special thanks to LC Susan for helping to coordinate the backstage guest list and Randy’s manager Cathy for actually making the list happen. And of course, I’d like to thank Randy most of all for being so open and welcoming to his fans.
Click for a larger image
Marcie and I went to see music legend Randy Newman in concert at Redwood City’s Fox Theater earlier this evening. Not only was this exciting enough, but through my association with a very cool group of fellow Randy-philes called Little Criminals (LCs), Marcie and I were able to get our names on Randy’s backstage guest list. So not only did we get to see an excellent concert by one of the greatest singer-songwriters/film composers of all time, but we were actually able to meet him afterwards!
While I don’t like to think of myself as the star-stuck type, I couldn’t help but to be nervous to meet someone whose music I’ve loved for so many years. But he was as nice as you can imagine and we spent a few minutes chatting about a number of random topics. Marcie told him that I love playing his music on the piano and that Melody has had almost continuous exposure to his music since day one. Throughout it all, I tried not to drift off into rambling incoherence, but he was always very kind and genuine.
Before we left, I asked if he would mind posing for a photo and he didn’t hesitate to put his arms around us and strike a pose. Although the resultant photo (below) catches him with his eyes closed, I’m still thrilled beyond words to have it. And as Marcie reminds me, Randy typically sings with his eyes closed, so his “peaceful” pose is perfectly appropriate.
I’d like to extend a special thanks to LC Susan for helping to coordinate the backstage guest list and Randy’s manager Cathy for actually making the list happen. And of course, I’d like to thank Randy most of all for being so open and welcoming to his fans.
Click for a larger image
posted by Steve Shapiro at
1:50 AM
3 Comments:
That's awesome Steve! I know the feeling of meeting someone you've looked up to for a long time. I met Patrick Stewart as he was signing autographs after his London production of "A Christmas Carol." I had said to hims "I've been waiting for a long time to see your performance in this show Mr. Stewart," and he stopped his writing, turned to me, and with a big smile said "Well, thank you ever so much for coming." He was just like we are after a show - happy with the performance, and hoping there is someone to say Hi to out by the stage door. I left just thrilled to my toes. His autographed program is now sitting on out theatre wall at home.
By
Ron Evans, at 8/11/2006 1:49 PM
What a great story, Ron! I've been a huge fan of Patrick Stewart ever since I saw him as Claudius in a BBC production of Hamlet. He's an excellent actor who can elevate anything he's in.
Meanwhile, I wish I had a theater wall! Does a Store-All box of over a decade of programs, cast rosters, photos, and small hand-props count?
Hey, maybe your theater wall can be your next vblog entry?!
By
Steve Shapiro, at 8/14/2006 1:21 PM
I haven't heard about this legends in concert until I read this blog post
By
Giovanni Carlo, at 2/27/2020 4:19 AM
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