Being that I lived in the land of the stars for a while and that I'm a native Californian, I've had opportunities that most people have never been able to have who love classic film as I do. I feel extremely lucky to have had these experiences. I'd like to thank everyone that made these experiences possible. This page is dedicated to the stars that I've met or seen in person... just because... people always have an interest in that and I'd like to document it for myself. ;)

The first star I ever met was Liza Minnelli. One has to start with the creme of the crop. I met her at a signing in San Francisco for Minnelli on Minnelli (which you might know was her last performance before her absence prior to Liza's Back). Naturally, I was in shock. This was Judy Garland's daughter, what do you say to someone who was associated with Judy. You say, "Liza, I love you!" and she replies, "I love you, too!" Yes folks, this is what I did. I kicked myself all the way home when I did it, too.

During my jump rope days - with Liza, 1999

Liza was the sweetest, going through a rough spot as she was, she asked me if I loved to sing and of course I replied "Yes." And then she said she knew that about me upon sight. Ha! That was the first time anyone ever said that about me. It reminded me of Mickey saying to Judy "You sing when you walk, when you talk, why... your eyes are singing right now." And I had a Judy moment saying instead of "They are?" which didn't fit anyway, I said "You did?" And she said something to the effect of absolutely. Then she asked me if I was going to see the show the next day and of course I was... and that she said she would be looking for me in the audience. How sweet is that? Oh, and good luck with my voice and that she knew I would be successful.

"Minnelli On Minnelli" was amazing. Liza has all the energy that her mother had, no matter how down and out they were... both could fill the auditorium and make you feel as if you're the one they're singing for. I had a feeling that night, that I knew what it was like to see Judy in concert. Especially having heard Lorna before Liza, the two of them together are close to what Judy Garland was. Just amazing, in fact... Liza was so full of life, I was shocked to find out she had to let the show go due to her health. Now that's the ability to perform.

Miss Lorna was brilliant as well. I saw "Songs My Mother Taught Me" in Cupertino, California (of course). I got chills down my spine... despite what some say, Lorna really has a voice and it should be acknowledged, especially when she has the right material. I came home saying "I want to sing like that." Seems to be a trend, I've done that after I've seen Rosemary Clooney and Shirley Jones as well. I didn't get the chance to go back and meet her, though. I did have a dream about it that night! Lorna is one of the few stars I've actually dreamed about meeting, it was a strange dream. I did have a run of dreams about Liza as well about a year ago. ;) Very strange, she was living in San Francisco taking care of my bunny.

After seeing Lorna for the 3rd time in SMMTM - with Lorna, 2004

Lorna was really sweet just to come out and greet the admirars that came. It was right after John Ritter's death and she was very good friends with him. So a little disoriented and very humbly she took a few minutes to speak to us. She asked me if I wanted a picture first and of quietly went up and I imagine I thanked her so much for her time (if I didn't, I should have been shot) and then she asked me how old I was and I of course told her my age. She then asked to see my driver's license (she had her wits about her!) and told me how much younger I looked. I said I was quite used to it... she was so gracious and took the picture with me. I wrote her a letter shortly after thanking her for her time (wahoo--I followed through with a letter!). She was wonderful.

Rosemary Clooney. This woman was an amazing voice. I just don't know what to say... I wish I had the chance to meet her. I regret not writing her a letter I said I was going to write right after now. Which is why I'm going to try and be better about those things. I adore Rosemary Clooney, she was a strong woman and I still haven't accepted that's she's gone, even though I'm writing in the past tense, she still lives on in my heart. It was extremely apparent when I was watching Shirley Jones, I thought about Rosemary and how I would never have the chance again and I found myself denying that. As I mention in her biography, her love of family was so strong and I appreciate that. These people are so important into building who you are, you have to accept them for who they are and cherish them. Miss Clooney was able to do that. I will never forget that night as long as I live. I also saw her where I saw Lorna Luft and went to community college for a time there and everytime I passed the theater, I would think about Miss Clooney and Miss Luft and the amazing experiences I shared with them and their audiences.

Last night (March 11), I met Shirley Jones. You have no idea what that meant to me. She's always been one of my heros. She was sweet, too! I thanked her for all the joy her music has brought to me and she thanked me for caring. She's amazing, I really think she's one of the best voices of our time and that her voice has only improved with maturity. Had I been brave, I would have asked her to sing a few notes with me. Maybe when my voice is a little more trained.

Miss Jones was absolutely amazing in concert. I loved the way she talked about classic films and how she would rather watch TCM than anything else. I think more than anyone else, I can relate to that! Especially not having access to it at my dorm. *sniffle* Hearing her sing renditions from The Music Man, Oklahoma, and Carousel in this beautiful full voice was amazing. I will never forget last night, it was beautiful and very much needed with all the stress I've been facing lately. I'm flying high... ;) Thanks, Miss Jones!!

Concert appearances are amazing.

Another star I spent a lot of time with was Kathryn Grayson at a records collectible show in Southern California. I met up with fellow webmaster (for her Kathryn Grayson fan site) Kayla Sturm and Kathryn talked to us about how films today do not have the magic of those of yesteryear and Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy and how silly the feud is and how one side is insane. *avoids raw vegatables from Nelson and Jeanette fans* She was really sweet and she knows youth are the ones who have to carry the torch and has since offered to meet up with us again. Hopefully Kayla can come back some day. Sweet ladies working with Miss Grayson, too!

While at the same event in the most current picture I have with Miss Grayson above, I also met Shani Wallis. One of the first musicals I fell in love with was Oliver!, so that was a real treat for me. She looked so wonderful and was so alive, I almost regret being too quiet and not talking with her more, but I did manage to go back and get a picture with her long after I got her autograph. Instead I stayed around the Grayson crew. ;) Here's a picture of Shani and I below.

Other stars I've run accross are Margaret O'Brien, she was signing at a collectibles fair for AIDS. I really need to be more outgoing, I just got her autograph, I didn't talk to her except to thank her kindly and she told me that "Meet Me In St. Louis" (of course I got a picture of Judy with her) was one her favorite films. I saw Mickey Rooney at the Hollywood Collectors Show. I talked to his son, but not the Mick. I just stood in awe and stared a while from the corner and I hope he didn't notice. This WAS Mickey Rooney. You can find some of these autographs on the site, I know these two are both in the Judy Gallery. Oh, I've met most of the remaning Munchkins of Oz at the Judy Garland festival and I've seen Jerry Marren twice. :) His wife is a sweetheart and my cousin and I saw Jerry at the Judy Garland Birthplace on a private tour of the house and walking up to the house, Jerry told my cousin and I to watch our step on the lumpy walkway. Always looking out for the American beauties, he is! Meinhardt Raabe is the sweetest... he told my cousin and I what it was like to drive in the Weenie Mobile (Oscar Meyer). So cute!

I hope someday I can meet Jane Powell and June Allyson. They're the last of the "Reeljewels" left other than Shirley Jones. Hopefully some day at least one of them I'll see face to face, that would be a treat. I probably missed a star somewhere, I'll have to think about it and make sure I have no more stories to tell! :o) Hopefully I'll be able to add some while I'm in the Los Angeles area. I'll have to find the pictures of Liza and I, too. :o) Horray for Hollywood!!

P.S. My Uncle offered to introduce me to more of Hollywood, what he doesn't realize is that all my heroes and heriones are older than he is. He does know, but I think he also believes I'm interested in young Hollywood as well. Maybe I should ask if he can get me and Britney Spears in the same room. I'd like to see that. You know what else is odd? In all of these pictures I have long hair and that's just not normal for me. :D