The Art Of Autograph Chasing | Talking About Records

The thrill of landing an autograph from a musician you love can be a rush! Not too different from that feeling you get from discovering a rare or sought after record in the wild. It’s an exciting moment when you meet someone you admire, but it’s not always a simple feat. In the latest episode of Talking About Records we discuss the culture of “graphing”, and the steps some people go through to acquire autographs from musicians past and present.
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[@andrewbrown3070]

Very cool episode. One of my favorites for me was I got a few autographs and a picture with the surf guitar legend Dick Dale. He was such a great guy with some great stories.

[@lynnwilson4205]

Have been collecting autographs for over 35 years. Most entertainers are receptive. Be civil, don’t expect or demand. Ask politely. Make it quick, most times they are in a hurry. Be prepared, have marker and things being signed at hand. Have several hundred autographs. Mostly music related but some actors/ actresses, tv personalities. Fun.

[@suckerzezper]

Great advice! Handing something off to a crew member to get signed is certainly worth a try but just keep in mind that there are many instances where band managers and other personnel will sign it themselves in an effort to please fans when the artist or band is busy

[@tammysheffler1966]

Great interview!! Know of Rex because of The Lettermen and new of his passion. It was great to hear him talk about it.

[@JoshManship-qi1sq]

Awesome video GI. Thanks for the super entertaining stories Rex. That was mint.

[@NTXVinyl]

Thanks for watching!

[@LHand-kt8su]

Great topic! I do like getting items autographed when the opportunity presents itself. I don’t have a ton of autographed items but have some signed LPs, CDs, posters, and books. All have been in person signings, except maybe two things I got through official sources. I don’t think I’d ever trust buying signed items on eBay, Craigslist, ect. Fun discussion.

[@dannyb.3924]

I have just a handful of signed LPs and they are from some of my favorite artists. Some have been in person and others through their websites. The first musician I ever met was Steve Perry. I won backstage passes to his concert from a local radio station when he was on the For The Love of Strange Medicine Tour. His bodyguard said no photos which kind of sucked. He did sign a copy of Street Talk on vinyl as well as the cd sleeve for his current release. The only other LPs or CDs I have signed are from Richard Marx, Donny Osmond, Darius Rucker and a local band named Kiss The Tiger. They were the opening act for Daughtry and after their set they were at the merch table and had two vinyl records of theirs for sale. I thought they were a wonderful group so I purchased their records and asked them to sign. They are hanging on my wall in my home office/music room. I did meet Paul Simon once while leaving a Yankees game. He posed for a picture but wouldn't sign. Which was fine as all I had was my Yankees program so ... 🤣

[@ralphbolton4865]

I've had some luck at hotels, not at the bar, but in the morning at breakfast or in the parking lot when they are getting in the bus.

[@booieaguilar4792]

I felt guilty for bringing maybe like 6 records to get signed by Kelly Finnigan at a Monophonics concert and when I came to the counter to talk after the concert he was impressed, and happy to sign all of them. He even asked if I wanted a picture.

[@lynnwilson4205]

All my autographs are in person, with photos.

[@georgpoensgen3217]

Very nice Interview with an experienced collector. Be sure to always take your own pens with you. And there are many more options than a black pen. For me, the corour of the writings have to match with the record sleeve. Use a silver or golden pen on dark Covers.

[@oscar542241]

I'm gonna take a Yield street sign and take it to a pearl jam concert to get it autographed now lol

[@ericelliott227]

Nothing wrong with collecting autographs, but I personally place zero monetary value in autographs. I have had tons of opportunities for them, but opted out. My reasoning? Respect and acquaintanceship to put it in two words. I'm quite sensitive to artists and I guess it is apparent to them. I have great respect for them on the whole. I have met a number of them and those meets end up in conversations and appreciation from the artist, you could say, I'm guessing. I just don't need an autograph, I prefer fond memories. I have had one on one conversations both brief and lengthy with the likes of Michael Steel (Bangles), Patricia Morrison (Sisters of Mercy, The Gun Club, The Damned.....total sweetheart by the way as was Michael Steel), Grace Slick (treated me very kindly and even indulged me in talking about music and Airplane), Robby Kreiger (The Doors), The Alarm (super nice), Johnny Densmore (not as nice as you would think, surprising), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Randy California and a few others in music. In addition, I have met and had conversations with George Takai, Jamie Farr, Alec Baldwin, The tall guy from Friends (I'm lousy with knowing actors), etc. How do I do it? It has been a long time since, but how I did it is a mystery to everyone, including myself to this day. Right place at the right time perhaps? Hard to say, because in every case the celebrity approached me or just happened to be. I never talk shop with them unless they want to. I let them lead. Perhaps that is what they want? Do I have autographs? Yes, but only ones given to me freely, never asked for. I have George Takai's autograph (he insisted after a 1.5 hour conversation in the middle of an event. I don't know how that happened), I have Petula Clark's autograph on a used record I bought for $2. I also have a couple of other personalized autographed CDs from "lessor known" artists that the artist themselves gifted me (Lisa Lynn and Diane Arkenstone). I don't place any value in the autographs except for sentimental value due to the way they were given to me except in the case of Petula Clark which was just an accident. I have received other things more valuable than an autograph, called a hug. Mostly the female artists, Michael Steel and Patricia Morrison to name two. Spoiler alert: Both of those were complete surprise setups (I never saw them coming. Patricia actually snuck up on me from behind on purpose) and private meets thanks to some very sneaky bandmate/friends (artists themselves), who knew them and never told me until they surprised me with the situation, the devils! So those meets were of course, special.

[@shanexyz3972]

Video Request: You’ve probably discussed this in pieces elsewhere, but I’d be interested in a video dedicated to your experiences with a major label (via southfm) and how physical product was covered in your contracts.

[@NTXVinyl]

That’s a pretty short story. It was 2003 so the only physical item even considered was the CD. Just prior to the album coming out I did ask our A&R rep about the possibility of pressing an LP and he pretty much laughed at me. He said at that stage only the top 5% of artists on the label (MCA, a part of Universal) made it to vinyl. The format was totally dead from their perspective.

[@synth77]

I've had the opportunity a few times. Felt like I could be rude and wanted to be a cool fan, as I know how annoying it probably is for bigger artists. But next time I'm buying a record at a live indie show I will bring a marker. I find often the artists are the ones selling the merch. Just wouldn't want to encourage everyone else to do it :/

[@i.n.o.productionscompany9699]

I purchased one autographed Kiss album from a flea market without knowing whose autograph it was until I got home. And one Miles Davis autograph from eBay without the seller realizing it was a signature because it was initials versus an entire autograph

[@da9pauly]

How do you get autographs authenticated???

[@NTXVinyl]

www.psacard.com/services/autographauthentication

[@suckerzezper]

Also, PSA is garbage in my opinion. I collect GNR autographs and PSA will pass basically anything submitted as authentic. Same with Beckett. I only trust JSA and ACOA. AutographCOA (ACOA) is a lesser known TPA, but they are super careful and are great at weeding out forgeries!

[@NTXVinyl]

Good tips!