Adolfo at Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2017

Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018 starts today and runs through Sunday. Over the last couple weeks, I have been highlighting some of the many awesome celebrities I have met at DotD. Today, I am featuring Adolfo Dorta, the man behind this great event!

Back in early 2011, I heard about a convention debuting in Indianapolis in July. I reached out to Adolfo about covering the event. That was the beginning of a relationship that has continued to grow and many great memories.

At last year's DotD in Chicago, PL Myers and I had a 30 minute interview with Adolfo, covering his start, his passions, his thoughts on the future and more. It was fun probing into his mind and getting his insight into so many topics. That interview can be found at Hero TV 2018 Episode 3: Days of the Dead With Adolfo Dorta. We even have a short cameo by Carrie Gedeon, his partner in crime, DotD and life.

The interview was unusual in that Adolfo was still for 30 minutes. Seriously, this guy is one hard-working man, as is the entire DotD crew. They are constantly doing things to keep all running smoothly and all does run smoothly at DotD! It's an incredible event every time.

The Days crew is like one big family, because that's how Adolfo makes it. That family extends to people like me and all other fans, too. Days is always like a big friend reunion. Sometimes that part is more important to me than meeting celebrities. It is that combination which makes Days so special and it all goes right back to Adolfo.

I applaud all he has done and he has earned every bit of it. He's a good guy, who surrounded himself with good people. I am proud to be his friend and to be involved in DotD.

Check out DaysoftheDead.com for all of the info on Indy and the other cities where DotD will be. Take a good look at the picture below, because there is a great chance you will not see Adolfo standing still at the events!

Adolfo and me in Indianapolis, IN-July 2017.

Rock N Roll Express at Days of the Dead Chicago 2017

With Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018 starting tomorrow and running through Sunday, I am featuring some of the great memories I have from the many years I have attended DotD in several cities. I am certain I will make more fantastic memories this year.

The Rock 'n' Roll Express is one of the most successful and popular tag teams in wrestling history. Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson comprise this Hall of Fame duo.

They have been together since 1983, when Jerry Lawler put them together to wrestle when the Fantastic Ones (a popular team at the time) couldn't make a show. The Rock 'n' Roll Express soon became hugely popular. A great rivalry was born when the Rock 'n' Roll Express battled the Midnight Express.

I have met Morton and Gibson several times, but none was as fun as when I met them at DotD last year. DotD is a little less "tightly structured" than other similar conventions. This allows for more and better fan interaction and the RnR Express was definitely up for fan interaction. These guys were great.

We talked about the Hall of Fame and their career in general. They seemed genuinely happy to be at DotD and extremely proud of what they have accomplished together.

This is just another example of the quality and variety of guests the folks at DotD has on their celebrity roster. I have often written about the small backlash about wrestlers from hardcore horror fans, but the long lines and hundreds of satisfied fans prove the demand is there. Kudos to Adolfo and his crew for pushing forward and going with what they know.

For more information on all of the DotD events, check out DaysoftheDead.com. I'll be "On the Beat" as usual and I hope to see many of my friends there!

Ricky Morton, me and Robert Gibson in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Shannon Elizabeth at Days of the Dead Chicago 2016

Shannon Elizabeth is probably best known for her role in American Pie.  That alone earned her a permanent spot on the convention circuit.  It also helps that she is very fan friendly at these events.  I'm sure twenty years from now, she will still be in demand on the con scene because of that role.

Early in life, she considered a career as a tennis player.  She has also done modeling, in addition to playing on the Professional Poker circuit for a while.

She has remained active since her big role, although not matching the success of that movie.  Still, careers have been built on a lot less than that.

Now in her mid 40's, she is still as beautiful as ever.  It will be interesting to see if she starts getting more "mother" roles and if her career develops that way.  She's nowhere near the "grandma shawl" stage, but she might be in a transition stage to more mature roles soon.

Shannon Elizabeth and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2016.

On the Beat With the Chicago Bandits 2018

The Chicago Bandits are a perfect 13-0, ending last weekend with a 3 pitcher combined perfect game against the Aussie Spirit. My early season recap is on the Patch at Chicago Bandits Remain Perfect!

During the course fo the weekend, I had the pleasure of interviewing outfielder Brenna Moss, pitcher Lacey Waldrop, newcomer catcher Kristyn Sandberg, pitcher Haylie Wagner and newcomer pitcher Coley Ries. We talked to the women about the great start and various other fun topics.

Most of the interviews featured questions submitted by superfan and future Bandit Kenzie Parker. I love having Kenzie involved. I constantly hear about growing the game and giving back to the future players and fans. Kenzie is both a big fan and (I have no doubt) a future NPF player). Including Kenzie is my small contribution to growing the game and giving to young fans. My real hope is that Kenzie will actually come back to a game and conduct the interviews herself. Kenzie has an pen invitation.

I really appreciate the hospitality of the Chicago Bandits for allowing me access to do what I love. I appreciate the efforts of Director of Media Relations Jason Lowenthal and the time and consideration of all of the players. It is a pleasure and an honor to cover this team.

Check back here all season for coverage of the Bandits. Also, check ChicagoBandits.com for more info and updates on the team.

Friendly Encounters: Riki Rachtman and Heather Owens at Days of the Dead

Friendly Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities. With Days of the Dead coming to Indianapolis Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24, this is a special DotD edition.

Hardcore Heather Owens is a crossover from people I know through Days of the Dead and wrestling. Oddly, I usually have more time to catch up when she is wrestling. At Days of the Dead, she is usually a blur of activity as she helps keep things running smoothly.

It's a bit of a thankless job (although promoter Adolfo does thank her and all else publicly, because he is just that kind of guy). Heather does manage to squeeze in some fun (okay, a lot of fun) at the DotD events, but that's because she is "hardcore" and she is fun.

At the recent DotD in Charlotte, she met Riki Rachtman and captioned the picture as "it's not 1993, but that s Riki Rachtman." Rachtman first gained fame as a guest VJ on MTV and later as the host on Headbangers Ball. He has also done radio, as well as handling interview duties for wrestling and other things.

He has met a lot of rock stars and wrestlers, but I would love to get his thoughts on meeting the Hardcore One. I'm sure it would be all positive, but certainly entertaining.

Head to DaysOfTheDead.com to get all of the info, including the guest list, at the next Show in Indy and all other DotD shows. Also follow Days of the Dead on Facebook for frequent and quick updates.

Heather Owens and Riki Rachtman in Charlotte, NC-May 2018.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #377 Mike Love, Brian Wilson & Al Jardine

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.  Today, we continue our fun alphabetical trek through Major League Baseball teams.

California boys (naturally) Mike Love, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine co-founded the Beach Boys, who have been entertaining fans since the early 1960's.  The Beach Boys have appeared several times at Dodger Stadium.  It only seemed natural that they would get Celebrity Jersey Cards as Dodgers.

Daphne Zuniga at Days of the Dead Chicago 2017

Days of the Dead Indianapolis 2018 starts Friday, June 22 and runs through Sunday, June 24. As usual, they will have a fantastic celebrity lineup. Today, I am featuring one of the many wonderful celebrities I have met at DotD over the many years in several cities.

Daphne Zuniga made her film debut in The Dorm That Dripped Blood, but started really gaining fame from her roles in Vision Quest and The Sure Thing. She later starred on tv's Melrose Place.

At DotD, Zuniga happily discussed all of her roles, including her current projects (Heartbeats). She looked great and sounded like she was doing well.

Check DaysoftheDead.com for more info on the Indy event and the other cities, too. Indy is going to be a blast and I hope to see many friends there.

Daphne Zuniga and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Marla McKenna at Days of the Dead Chicago 2017

Days of the Dead Indianapolis starts Friday, June 20 and runs through Sunday, June 22. With that in mind, I am featuring some of my many great memories from past DotD events.

Last year at DotD Chicago, I ran into new friend Marla McKenna. I had only recently met Marla, when I interviewed her in Milwaukee, which can be found at On the Beat With Marla McKenna.

Marla is the author of Mom’s Big Catch, Sadie’s Big Steal and I’m a Secret Superhero and I know she has other books coming. Her books are cute and funny, but also contain life lessons woven into the stories. Soft and not preachy, the books deliver important messages for the youth. Her daughters Julia and Ashley, as well as dog Sadie, make appearances in the books, too.

Entertaining and educational, her books also do good work, as partial proceeds from Mom’s Big Catch and Sadie’s Big Steal go to the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation. It must also be noted that music legend Rick Springfield and his family match all of Marla's donations.

This is a total feelgood story and Marla is truly a special person. It is always delightful seeing her anywhere, even at a horror con. That's another part of the uniqueness of Days of the Dead. Where else can you see a children's book author and a horror queen (and all around acting great) share a table and it somehow made perfect sense? The secret really is that both women care about the world and are trying to make it a better place, while entertaining us.

Go to MomsBigCatch.net to get all of the info on Marla and her books and projects. Also, follow Mom's Big Catch on Facebook to get timely updates. I know Marla has a lot of exciting things happening and I will get an update interview from her!

Also, check DaysoftheDead.com for the info and schedules for all of the DotD events. Then, come out to a DotD, because you never know what and who you might see!

Marla McKenna and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

Undead Johnny at Days of the Dead Chicago 2016

Undead Johnny appears on The World of the Weird Monster Show, a sketch comedy/horror host TV program airing in Chicago since since 2004.  It is described as a sort of morph of Son of Svengoolie and SCTV.  Written and directed by Chad Byers, it is a highly entertaining program, although I admit to being biased towards horror hosts and their shows.

I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the WOW crew several years back.  That can be found at On the Beat With Undead Johnny.  In the interview video, you'll meet Undead Johnny and the WOW crew, as well as seeing the Undead Johnny figurine (courtesy of Barry the Clay Guy).

Check out WOWMonsterShow.com for more info on Undead Johnny and the WOW Monster Show.  You can also follow WOWMonsterShow on Facebook and Undead Johnny @WOWMonsterShow on twitter.  You can also see a lot of entertaining videos WOW Monster Show YouTube channel.

Undead Johnny and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2016.

Joe Knetter and Sarah French at Days of the Dead Chicago 2012

With Days of the Dead quickly approaching, I am recalling some of the greatest memories I have had over my many years of attending DotD events. Author-actor Joe Knetter and Sarah French are two of the first celebrities I met at DotD and two of my favorites.

I have interviewed them together and separate several times. They are always very generous with their time and they are quite entertaining. My first interview with Sarah can be found at On the Beat with Sarah French.  My next interview was with both of them at On the Beat with Sarah French and Joe Knetter.

The couple met on a movie set. Sarah's character was beheaded by Joe's character. They have been together ever since.

Joe recently has undergone a tremendous transformation. He had a back procedure and has lost a lot of weight. He hasn't lost his twisted sense of humor though. That will never change.

In addition to acting, Joe has authored several books of short stories. Joe is a master at spinninbg a tale of horror (with some humor tossed into the mix). His books proudly sit on my bookshelf.

Sarah has remained active, appearing in five movies released in 2017 and three more scheduled for release this year.

Follow Sarah on twitter and Joe on twitter, to get all of their updates and other fun stuff. They are a great couple and a lot of fun in person and on social media.

Also, head to DaysoftheDead.com to get all of the info on all of the DotD events. After the Indy DotD, the next one is in Louisville at the end of August

Joe Knetter, Sarah French and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2012.