Back when his was one of the most popular shows on the air, my best friend's aunt, Jacki, was the costume designer for the Perry Como Show. Since it was a variety show there was more to design than sweaters for Mr. C. I only went to the show once. I remember that it was on the day of the Kentucky Derby and there was a big projection screen in the sudio. This was when television projection was a really big deal and it took a technician a day (I kid you not) to set it up for black and white play. (I almost said playback but this was before magnetic recording).

After the show (the only song I can remember is a French singer performing "La Mer" - it was the first time I ever heard it and I thought it was lovely). I had a perfunctory ntroduction to Perry Como who did at least give us his full attention during the 60-90 seconds we were before him. Somehow he felt that the demads of a network show came before the child of his costnme designer and that child's friend. I had to agree.

Ever since then, I alwas have felt as though I had a personal connection with Perry Como and even though I sometmes thought hte content of some of his songs was a litle inspid, like so many others, I was captivated by his easy relaxed style. He made you think anyone could do it!

After the show, I left with my friend through the stage door. Some teenage girls, about our age, were waiting there to see if they could get the autograph of a star. I didtinctly heard one say, referring to us, "Are they anybody". The other said, I don't care, I am going to ask them for autographs." That was how I got asked for my autograph by some starstuck teenage girls. It has happened rarely since then.

Did I modestly wave them off saing, "We're nobody you'd be intersted in"? I did not. Since I had recently been told that I bore somwhat of a resemblance to him, I signed the book, "With best wishes - Tony Perkins." We kept walking and didn't look back. Whatever the reason, it was very quiet behind us. ANd I never got to meet Perry Como again.

Sourdough