DiamondDave

So an old friend of mine saw my successes from the tour and asked for help. She had never tried anything like this, so I walked her through the process. She is learning to play drums, and she wanted to try to mail Neil one of his signature sticks hoping he would autograph it. I told her I thought sticks might be a tough item to get signed, but she insisted. So, I helped her mail for Irvine. She got her return envelope today. The stick she sent wasn't in it. Instead, she was sent two of Neil's sticks that are obviously used. Oh, and they sent her a signed program, paying additional postage. Not bad for a first attempt huh?

A bit more clarification.....the 13 oz rules only apply to stamped return envelopes.

I'm a rural carrier for the post office....the reason behind the 13 oz thing is those packages are flown as cargo on commercial passenger airlines. There is a concern from the airlines that packages 13 oz or more, could be something nefarious. Add no return address or the same return address as addressed to, and it is considered an anonymous package. It will not ship, or if by chance it does, if it is noticed at any point of it's travel, it will be returned to the point of departure.

For what it's worth......I am, and have been an autograph collector for over 30 years. Music, movies, TV sports, political etc, etc. But music has always been my favorite. I have gotten big name folks, and also folks that many here likely haven't heard of, but somehow they made a mark on me. I never send a request to someone I don't appreciate, and I do not sell my autographs. (It's the wife's inheritance....lol) I have always done the following in any of my mailed requests......I write a sincere letter of appreciation and request and autograph within the second paragraph. Two paragraphs, no more, no less. Short and sweet. Keep in mind, the time restraints any celebrity may be under. I include the item, as well as a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE). And always include the celebs address as the return address if the package is over 13 oz.....otherwise the postal service will not forward it back to you. Packages under 13 oz are exempt from this. I have had extraordinary success mailing to artists via their homes, management and agent offices. Via venue is much trickier. Many venues simply will not forward mail to performers. Many performers simply will not accept mail while at the venue. I follow an autograph forum that has an ongoing thread that lists venues and artists that are either known to forward/sign or not forward/sign. Quite honestly, that is how I found out about Rush signing via venue. Another forum member had success in mailing to Kansas, so I gave it a try for Utah and then Portland as a back-up. I received them both back successfully signed. Again, sorry if this is just rambling, but I hope it might help anyone that doesn't have a good understanding of the process. If anyone needs further clarification or questions, please feel free to ask here of PM me. Cheers!

I am in shock. Just got my second photo back signed from Portland. I my first success was Utah, but I had mailed a second to Portland as a back-up, and explained this in my letter. So apparently, they are not using a database to limit folks to one request.

I agree about Vegas....I previously tried the MGM Grand for Rush with an LP, but never saw it again. I have a friend trying for the Verizon Wireless Amp in Irvine, CA, as from what I've researched, the venue in Phoenix does not forward mail.

I was wondering of Neil had personalized it, and though that was the case, obviously because of the position of it, but also because it looked different from the usual Geddy handwriting. I also mailed a different photo to Portland, and explained that it was just a back-up in case they didn't receive the first one in SLC. I'll lose my mind if I get the second one back.

Received this back from Salt Lake City today.....