My very first celebrity encounter was Bill Clinton believe it or not. A high school friend and I went to a rally for Clinton and Gore in downtown McKeesport back in 1992. We waited forever for them to arrive, but our wait paid off. My friend got to shake Al Gore's hand and I got to shake Clinton's.
Yes, it was a big moment for us, but I was a bit disappointed. In our opinion, Al Gore was the handsomer of the two and, as high school girls can be, it wasn't all about politics for us it was also about the looks. I was also interested in Clinton's plan for financing student loans as I was about to start college. (That really paid off for me as 20 years later, I'm still paying down my debt.)
Ok, so maybe that was not an official meeting, but follow that up a few years later when I met Terry Bradshaw. I met him while working as a videographer at a television station in Johnstown. Our sports guy set up an interview and I was to accompany him. This was huge for me - growing up in a Black and Gold household, getting to meet the man whose photo was prominently placed in our family game room. I had big plans to get an autograph for my dad, my brother, myself...etc.
Well, that dream died quickly. The sports guy gave me a pep talk about how I had to act professional and not act like a fan. I was told under no circumstances should I ask for an autograph. I tried to argue my case about how the autograph was not for me but nothing I could say was changing his mind.
We did the interview and I acted professional although I was quite nervous to be in the presence of Mr. Bradshaw. He was down to earth and very polite and I suspect, me not asking for an autograph, was very much appreciated.
I did have the opportunity to meet Billy Gardell when he was in town last year. I have been a fan of his for years dating back to his appearances on the shows Yes, Dear and King of Queens. Even though I am more mature than the giggly college girl who couldn't talk to Kenny Rogers when I shared a hallway with him during a show in Johnstown, I think my Bradshaw pep talk has served me well in dealing with celebrities. I interviewed Gardell about a project he was working on and although he was pressed for time, he was accommodating.
But nothing will probably ever live up to the experience of meeting Yo-Yo Ma in Braddock last week. I knew he would be making a couple stops in Braddock and I contacted one of the organizers to see if it would be ok to bring my oldest. He has been playing the cello for seven years now and to musicians, Mr. Ma is kind of a big deal.
But even if you are not a musician or fan of cellos, Yo-Yo Ma is a pretty recognizable figure. His name is being batted about these days as he is featured in the Fred Rogers documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor". Mr. Ma made a few appearances on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, one alongside his young son Nicholas, who is now grown and one of the producers of the film now in theaters.
I wanted my son to just see him possibly perform, but I had very low expectations for how things were going to play out. To be truthful, my son and I were having a pretty good day spending time together, even without the possibility of meeting someone world famous.
We were at an intimate gathering at the Free Store when a moment presented itself and I seized the day. Mr. Ma was accompanied by an entourage which included national recording artist Valerie June, who was in town for a show at the Three Rivers Arts Festival. She performed an impromptu song and once she was done, the cellist walked around the small crowd and was shaking hands while waiting for his cello to be retrieved. He happened to be right next to me and although I was happy to shake his hand, this was not about me.
I immediately directed his attention behind me, where my shy son was standing, and promptly made an introduction. The warmth he showed my son was true and genuine. There was so much going on in the moment - fist bumps and finger magic that I forgot I had a camera hanging around my neck. At one point Yo-Yo said, "Let's get a picture."
The photo is one of the best photos my son has ever taken. His smile is sincere. Comfortable in the presence of an unquestionably talented individual, but what is more remarkable is how the two are standing together. Yo-Yo was half embracing my kid - one arm around my son's shoulder and his right hand rested on my son's other shoulder like the two are familiar, friends, might I even say, kindred spirits.
This chance opportunity, for me, was one of life's extraordinary moments in a sea of routine. I am a bigger fan of Yo-Yo Ma now because I've met him. Anyone can have talent, but not everyone (famous or not) can be truly nice to others.
Although I never had the chance to meet Mr. Rogers, I think I know what that would have felt like thanks to my encounter with Yo-Yo Ma - and it's a good feeling.
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