B is for Bubba

Have you ever met someone famous? I have. Sort of. Here's my story.

I was a twenty-something and in Houston for business. It was Sunday afternoon, and I was at the desk waiting to check into the Residence Inn near the Astrodome. There was already a man at the counter and several staff people behind it. Shortly, someone noticed me and, after getting my name, introduced me to the other customer. They said, "Miss Ingram. This is Bubba. Bubba Knight." I stared blankly, and they said, "You know, of Gladys Knight and the Pips." Then I knew who she was talking about. Or at least, I knew who Gladys was and knew she had Pips backing her up, but I didn't realize that Bubba was Gladys's brother and a Pip. They were performing at the Houston Rodeo the next night, and Bubba was the advance man checking in. If I had been paying attention, I might have noticed that there was something different about the other customer because Bubba was wearing a purple suit. Anyway, I asked Bubba for an autograph, and we both went along our way. 

When I arrived at my room, I found it was already occupied by two other men. I said there must have been a mix-up, and I would get another room. They were sorry for my trouble and invited me to dinner that night to make up for it. They were cooking something in their room. (Residence Inns are suite hotels with full kitchens.) They seemed nice, but I exercised caution and decided it was best for me not to have dinner with two strange men in their hotel room. Later I encountered them on one of the walkways and found out that they were high school friends of Gladys and her brother, Bubba, and Gladys and Bubba were at the dinner that night I was invited to. Oh, well. The next morning I saw Gladys at breakfast in her purple silk jacket. She looked sleepy, so I didn't approach her. 

That's my story. I was friendly with Gladys Knight's high school friends, I got her brother, Bubba's autograph, and I saw Gladys, up close and personal although I didn't talk to her. I'm not sure if any one of those things counts by themselves, but I think they all add up to one decent celerity encounter. :)

Have you had any encounters with someone famous?