My Brush with Celebrity

Yeah, I got to meet Dan Aykroyd when he was in Gulfport last week. He was in town promoting his new spirit, Crystal Head vodka, the bottle of which is made as an exact replica of a human skull, done in Murano glass.

He was at L&M liquor store on Pass Road from 2-4 Friday afternoon, April 24. I'm hoping that not a lot of people besides me saw the small, pink sign on the windows at the liquor store and that there won't be many people there. You know, that way Dan and I could have a chance to chat, swap ideas, exchange business cards, etc.

Well, there were hundreds and hundreds of people there. Lots. When I got there at 1:30, the crowd was already down the side of the building, jogged out into the street

 and about a half a block down from there. Word had gotten out. The huge overland rig with "Crystal Head vodka" all over it may have

 helped.

So I stood in line for about an hour and a half, having a great time talking with this skinny, leathery chick from McClain who had already sampled some spirits before she got there. But she was cool. We had a good time cutting up until she kept referring to Dan Aykroyd as Bill Murray and then got me doing it.

When I finally got to where Dan was signing the bottles I put my 1976 Saturday Night Live album down on the table and told him that I'd been schlepping that album around the country since 1976. He said "Great!" and said that he hoped I still watched the show. Of co

urse I said yes, and that I have a friend who is a dresser for the show.

He was pleasantly surprised and asked who it was. I told him it was Keith Shaw.

"Keith?! I know Keith! We've worked together on a few things. Tell him I said hello!"

I was so stunned. I thought I was getting punked. (Keith, if you really don't know Dan, just don't tell me.)

I told him that we'd been best friends since high school. Then he asked my name and I managed to remember it. Then he said, "The next time I see Keith, I'll remember you to him." I'm walking on clouds by this time. I've had an actual conversation with Dan Aykroyd, I've shaken his hand twice, had my picture made with him and gotten autographs on the ultra-cool bottle of liquor and my prized SNL album. I also got a good sunburn that was definitely worth it. Had a great time.