Friend Encounters: Ben Allen, Jean and Friends

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

My sister and her friends attended a Ben Allen concert. As she has done many times, Jean sent the picture of meeting him to me, because she knows what I do.

She didn't stop there though. She sent a mini-biography. While I had heard of him, I didn't know his backstory and it is quite remarkable.

Country music star Allen was on The Voice for Season 19. He has since become incredibly popular and successful. Recently he experienced chest pains and was smart enough to get a checkup. He had a heart attack, "a big one," in his words. Fortunately, he recovered.

The Ben Allen Band has become so popular, they do a lot of private events, but he believes in giving back and still does free shows for his fans. I have a lot of respect for that. 

Go to benallendband.com for more info on Allen and his music. Check back here for more Friend Encounters.

Jean, her friends and Ben Allen in Florida-March 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #735 David Beckham & Milos Raonic

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I make virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today we have two cross-sport stars. Today, I continue my march through every MLB team.

David Beckham was an elite British soccer player. Beckham is one of the very few athletes who not only crossed into the mainstream, but also transcended his sport. During his career, he won 19 major trophies and dozens of other awards. He appeared onfield at a Toronto Blue Jays game, thus earning his Celebrity Jersey Card. Hopefull he won't bend it.

Milos Raonic was born in Canada and became a world class tennis playing, being ranked as high as #3 in the world. That made him the highest ranked Canadian in Association of Tennis Professionals history. He has won eight ATP Tour titles. Raoinic gets extra points for havinghis tennis racket on his Celebrity Jersey Card.

Talking Travel with Elaine Lee

One of the best parts of doing the Talking Travel interviews on Global Traveler is I get to virtually meet and talk to people I never would have otherwise. Such was the case with travel journalist and black travel pioneer Elaine Lee. Coming off of Black History Month and being in Women's History Month, it was the perfect time to do this, since Lee has done a lot for women, particularly black women.

Lee has written a lot about black travel. She also produced two books containing stories from prominent women of color. When Lee started, she very well might have been the first to cover that topic so extensively. She is recognized as a true pioneer.

Despite her focus or target audience, people of all color and genders can learn plenty. Much of her travel tips and info can be applied to anyone. Lee came from the era when it was more difficult for black folks, especially black women, to travel. Some of those hurdles still exist. By reading and learning, we all come closer and travel is easier for all.

Lee was a real delight. As she gracefully moves into her golden years, she still has passion and excitement in her work. She is planning to add working with senior citizens to her resume. I have no doubt she will do for seniors what she has done for people of color.

Find the interview at Talking Travel with Elaine Lee. Then, subscribe to the GT YouTube channel.

Congratulations to Maggie Lee

Independent wrestler Maggie Lee just signed with TNA Wrestling. I am sure big things are ahead for this talented, young star.

Lee made her debut in 2022. Now at 22, Lee has already signed with one of the big companies.

I have followed Lee's career almost from the beginning. I first met her at last year's Squared Circle Expo. I finally got to see her wrestle up close at last month's 2econd Wrestling event. Instead of looking forward to seeing her more times at 2econd, I now look forward to watching her on TNA television. It's bittersweet, as I wanted to see her here more, but this is better for her career.

At 5'11", Lee is tall and lanky, but lean and muscular. She has a great moveset and a ring p[resence like a veteran. Whil she is still learning, she already is excellent at all facets of wrestling. That is why she gets a hige fan reception every time out.

For more info on Lee, go to tnawrestling.com, but you better look soon, because I have a feeling she will be moving up to WWE or AEW at some point. he's just that good.

Maggie Lee and me in Arlington Heights, IL-March 2025.

Adolfo and the Squared Circle Expo

I first met Adolfo Dorta about 15 years ago. He was a co-promoter of a horror-themed convention. He granted me a press pass and I did all I could to help promote the con.

Fast forward about 11 years, Adolfo left that convention to debut a wrestling convention. With him were his wife, Ed and Heather. This is the fabulous foursome, but today is all about Adolfo.

Part of me wonders how he did all of this. I know a lot about running conventions, but for Squared Circle Expo to be so successful in its debut and to gain popularity each year is an amazing achievement. I believe credit rolls uphill and all leads to Adolfo.

SCX is one of the best-run conventions of any sort. From each year's first announcements to the Sunday morning good-byes, SCX runs like a well-oiled machine, because it is one. While every con will have a wrinkle or two, I have never seen any big issues at SCX. That's because Adolfo and his crew have things so well-planned and are on site, knee-deep in the action.

I feel for Adolfo, because he works so hard at SCX. He even sacrifices his own pictures with the wrestlers because he is busy keeping things running smoothly. He is even hard for me to get for a selfie, but I work hard to get one, because he is every bit as important and memorable at each event as any of the wrestlers. I am also proud to call him friend. Surround yourself with quality peopl. Adolfo is one of the best and I will always do anything I can to help him, even if I don't go to the event.

Make no mistake though, I will be "On the Beat" at SCX V. I hope to see you there. For more info on SCX, go to squaredcirclex.com.

Adolfo and me in Indianapolis, IN-April 2024.

A Literal Johngy Rant

When did "literal" become so overused and usually wrongly used?

A recent example I saw was some influencer comparing Taylor Swift's logo with the new logo of the Toronto Sceptres, a women's professional hockey team. The influencer states the logos are "literally identical." At one point, she even dares her audience to find a difference. The differences, although minor, are very evident. While the logos are very similar, they are not exact duplicates. Therefore they are not literally identical.

There is a chance the influencer did this as click-bait, another annoying trend. Influencers make controversial (or wrong) posts just to get people to respond, thus giving them engagement

I don't think this is the case with this particular one. I think she did it as a hot take, another annoying trend. I won't go off on that trend yet.

Wow. Maybe I just need to stay off social media. In ranting about literally, I also revealed I hate click-bait and hot takes. 

Celebrity Jersey Cards #734: April Fools Edition: WWE

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series featuring Celebrities wearing sports jerseys. In today's Special April Fools Edition, I feature WWE wrestlers dressed as other wrestlers.

Chelsea Green went way opposite of her character when she dressed as Mick Foley's Cactus Jack. No disrespect to Green and she does look great in the flannel, she is more a raving beauty than a hardcore legend. 

Chris Jericho went to the wayback machine when he turned up as Doink. To get an upper hand on William Regal, Jericho donned the Doink makeup for a sneak attack.

Mark Callaway as the Undertaker once wrestled Brian Lee who was playing the Undertaker (but really the Underfaker). Here though, Callaway dressed as Kane, his storyline brother for a feud with him.

Last and never least, A.J. Lee dressed as Nikki Bella in a bit of irony. Lee often railed against divas like Bella who didn't put in the work or have the skills to be a top woman wrestler, instead concentrating on being a diva. I'll take Lee dressed as anyone anyday. I miss seeing her in the ring.

Friend Encounters: Willie McGee and Dennis

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends meeting celebrities.

At the time of this recent photo, baseball was on the mind of my pal Dennis as he met former MLB star outfielder Willie McGee at the Chicago Sports Spectacular. McGee was the MVP in 1985 and a 4x All-Star during his excellent 18 year career. He collected 2,254 hits while batting .295. He had most of his success with the St. Louis Cardinals, his first and last team. In between, he had stints with the Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox. 

It's easy to overlook how good McGee was. Just 10-15 more hits every season and he would be in tthe Hall of Fame discussion. He was a fantastic leadoff hitter. 

As for Dennis, he is one of my convention buddies. We usually cross paths at wrestling, sports or comic conventions. Seeing folks like Dennis at these conventions is always fun. While we might not be close pals, we always exchange friendly banter. Dennis is just one of many such friends I have made through conventions or as some say, he's part of my convention family. We don't need to see each other often, but it's always nice reconnecting.

Willie McGee and Dennis in Rosemont, IL-March 2025.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #733 J.J. Watt & Al Hrabosky

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I make virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today we have two cross-sport stars. Today I continue my season-long march through all MLB teams.

After an outstanding career at the University of Wisconsin, J.J. Watt was drafted by the Houston Texans and enjoyed 10 great seasons with the team. He followed that with two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Watt's brothers Derek and T..J. also made the NFL, with T.J. still active with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watt is a likely early ballot Hall of Famer, but for now, he gets a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Al Hrabosky enjoyed a lengthy MLB career, first with the St. Louis Cardinals, then the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals. The Mad Hungarian was one of the best relievers of the 1970's. How did he find himself on a Houston Astros Celebrity Jersey Card? Hrabosky appeared in a few movies, including "The Slugger's Wife," where he appeared with Bucky Dent and Mark Fidrych. I didn't know about those last two, but they will be on Celebrity Jersey Cards in the future.

Women's History Month and Talking Travel

March is Women's History Month. Today, I celebrate Women's History Month while promoting my Talking Travel interviews for Global Traveler.

Over the last 16 months, I have conducted about 50 Talking Travel interviews and half have been with women.

My first Talking Travel interview was with musician Suzi Quatro, a music pioneer and one of my favorites. While a bit self-serving as Quatro has been in my music rotation for 50 years, she is a true legend in the music industry.

Since then, I have interviewed women reporters, athletes, actresses, writers and more. Each brought a unique story and fun interview. Looking back at all of the women I interviewed, I am proud and happy to have such a famous, diverse and informative group.

Of course, I have to end with a plea for subscriptions to the GT YouTube channel. It's free, easy and you won't be bothered by emails. Plus, it helps keep food on my table and I like to eat.