Peter O'Toole

Lawrence of Arabia launched Peter O'Toole to stardom. He has been a fine actor of stage and film for over 50 years, and holds the distinction of receiving the most Academy Awards for acting without winning- Although he was given an honorary Oscar several years ago.

When I sent this it did't come back, and I thought it was a lost cause. It was well over a year when a wrinkled and battered envelope came in the mail from overseas, and I was quite surprised when i opened it and saw it was Peter O'Toole!

Jon Voight- Prolific Actor

Jon Voight has become a Hollywood legend, acting in such classic films as "Deliverance" and "Midnight Cowboy" and more recently in the "National Treasure" films. I've seen him in a lot of films, but my favorite of his performances is as Eddie in "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." It's a wonderful film, and his acting is superb. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do- It's a poignent story and it showcases Jon Voight at his finest.

Max Schmeling, German Boxing Champion

Max Schmeling was the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion between 1930 and 1932, and was the Pride of Germany. His late 1930's bouts with Joe Louis are still talked and written about today. People called him a Nazi, but although he served in the German Luftwaffe, his hiding of two Jewish children on the night of Kristallnacht as well as other actions during the war prove otherwise. After the war he visited many wounded Americans and would hand out signed photos and talk with the boys.

He and Joe louis became friends, and in Louis's later life Schmeling helped pay medical bills and even helped pay for his funeral.

Stonewall Jackson

Stonewall Jackson was named after the famous Confederate Civil War General of the same name. He has been performing on the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years, beginning in 1956. He had a string of hits in the 1950's and 60's, most notably "Waterloo" and "Life to Go" and has stayed true to performing a genuine Country Music sound. Several years ago he sued the Grand Ole Opry for age discrimination, citing that the Opry's manager had stated that he didn't want any grey hairs on the stage or in the audience. The case was settled out of court and Jackson is still a regular Opry performer. It's really sad that he and his fellow long-time Opry members would even have to encounter such a thing. I guess there's too much money to be made in the crap that people call "Country Music" these days.

Paul Mellon, Philanthropist

Paul Mellon was born into a life of wealth. His father was Andrew Mellon, the son of the founder of Mellon Bank. Throughout his 91 years he was involved in many things such as writing, banking, art collecting, horse breeding etc- Despite his wealth he did not ignore his Country's call to arms, and served in the US Army during World War II, receiving four Bronze Stars. He donated millions to his Alma Mater Yale University, and donated many rare and valuable works of art to the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. He passed away less than a year after he signed this for me.

Kevin McCarthy

Actor Kevin McCarthy's most well-known role is probably that of Dr. Miles Bennell in the original 1956 version of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Fans of the 1989 film "UHF" starring Weird Al Yankovic will remember McCarthy as R.J. Fletcher, head of the rival netwark station. He has been seen in over 200 films and television programs in his 60+ year career,and is STILL acting at nearly 96 years old.

I mailed this to him in 1997, and received it back 3 1/2 years later. It was well worth the wait, as besides signing the drawing he also sent me about 8 signed photos from various films he was in.

Bill and Earl Bolick, The Blue Sky Boys

Bill and Earl Bolick first performed on Radio in their native North Carolina in 1935. They were raised in Hickory NC, and grew up listening to the Hymns and Ballads sung throughout the region for generations. They recorded quite a number of songs throughout the 1930's and 40's, but by 1951 they had become so dissatisfied with the direction music was taking that they quit performing. They recorded albums a handfull of times in the 1960's and 70's, and even performed occasionally at Folk Festivals and on College Campuses, and in 1975 they made their last recordings. Earl passed away in 1998, and Bill in 2008 at age 90.
I wrote to Bill Bolick several times in the years before his passing, and he was always very appreciative that his music was still being enjoyed. He even gave me one of the old songbooks they published back in the 1940's, which are next to impossible to find anywhere.