If loving her is wrong, I don't want to be right

My favorite singer if all time is (and always has been) Barbara Mandrell. The first song I ever called a radio station to request was a Barbara Mandrell song called "Wish You Were Here". That song came from her "Live" album, the first music album that I ever owned. So today's success holds a lot of special meaning to me.

Barbara Mandrell - Sent: 10/26/06 Received: 2/20/07. This past October I had the chance to talk with Barbara on the telephone. Following that (great) conversation I sent her a thank you letter with a CD insert and a 12" vinyl album cover of her "Live" album (which has never been available on CD) requesting an autograph. Today both came back with one of the nicest inscriptions I've ever received on the album cover. Barbara Mandrell has had several huge hit songs such as "Sleeping Single In A Double Bed", "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool", "If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Want To be Right" and "You Can Eat Crackers In My Bed Anytime" and hosted a very successful TV variety series in the early 1980's with her sisters.


(above) the new tribute CD (today's artists singing her classic songs) and (below) her 1981 "Live" album. (Sorry all of it wouldn't fit on my scanner). Click to enlarge either.


"To my special, wonderful friend Ryan, I wish you the very best! Love, Barbara Mandrell" is inscribed on a copy of the very first record album I ever owned.

Top 10 Most Wanted: #1 CHRIS EVANS

A very special thanks to the staff and my friends at my old post office who made sure this success got forwarded to me. I sent it out 865 days ago (and have moved since) but the great folks at my old post office made sure I didn't miss out on this and I appreciate and thank them so much.

Chris Evans - Sent: 10/1/04 Received: 2/13/07. Chris Evans was #1 on my "Most Wanted" list of autographs that I didn't have. I have written to him 5 times and my very first request came back today as my very first success. I had seen recently on Star Tiger people were getting him back after a long wait so I had hopes I would be lucky enough also. Now I wonder if maybe any of my other 4 photos I sent him (which I liked better than this one) will come back as well. After I saw him in "Cellular" Chris Evans became my #1 favorite actor. No surprise that my favorite role of his is "Johnny Storm/The Human Torch" in "Fantastic Four". I even gave up going to a concert to go see the Fantastic Four movie opening day. I saw the sequel trailer (which featured a lot of Chris) and it looks like it will be very good. I definitely thought this was a lost cause so it feels great to be proven wrong.



Chris Evans in his first "Fantastic Four" promo pic (click to enlarge)

Paigeing Ryan: you have mail!

Saturday seems to be the day that I have the best luck receiving autographs. The luck of Saturday was with me on this success today.

Peter Paige - Sent: 7/21/06 Received: 2/10/07. Peter Paige is best known for playing "Emmett" on "Queer As Folk", but you might have also seen him guesting on "Related" or just recently on "Without A Trace". He sent me this cool head shot photo, signed but not personalized.



Peter Paige (click to enlarge)

9021 - OH

Today's success comes from Canada.

Jason Priestley - Sent: 8/29/06 Received: 2/5/07. I grew up watching '90210' and longing to have a more exciting and active teenage life like the characters did on the show. (Except for 'Andrea' who seemed a little too obsessed with that school newspaper). Anyway, Jason Priestley played one of the shows main characters, Brandon Walsh. I know he's played other roles (including last years "Love Monkey") but he's always going to be remembered by me as Brandon. He provided this very cool photo personalized to my name.


Jason Priestley (click to enlarge)

Stan is THE man!

A new success for a new month is a great way to start the month.

Stan Lee - Sent: 1/26/07 Received: 2/1/07. As you might remember I have tried to get Stan Lee many times before and it wasn't until just recently that I ever received anything back from him. The down side about that success was that he didn't personalize the photo I sent him (but did personalize one for my friend). I didn't want to push the issue but it seems Stan is in a signing mood lately so I did purchase another photo and sent it to him and did receive it back signed and personalized (as I love) with a very quick 6 day turn around. For those who need a refresher, Stan Lee created many of Marvel Comics super heroes, including Spider-man, Hulk, Fantastic Four and the original X-men. A true icon.


Stan Lee (click to enlarge)