More Proof
… and confirmation that I am a hopeless dork. Tonight I met Hugh Downs. Yes, Hugh Downs of 20/20 fame. And when I met him, I could not contain myself nor my idealism. I was bursting forth with youthful hopefulness (much brought on by choral events earlier in the evening). I said to him, shaking his hand, “I grew up watching you every week with my parents. I want to thank you for what you have done for a free and open press in America and for what you’ve done for this country.” I think he nearly fell over. We were on UT campus and he was surrounded by 19 year olds who have no idea who he is. But HUGH DOWNS!? Man, back in the day of Hugh Downs, 20/20 was HARD NEWS (with some Baba Wawa interviews thrown in for measure). So he thanked me and was quite polite and then I left the poor man alone.
Hugh Downs is kinda short.
He’s gotten a lot older looking than the last time I saw him on tv, which is to be expected. He was wearing blue jeans and a white dress shirt and black dress coat, and on his right wrist he wore a rather heavy gold chain.
Now, those of you paying attention may start thinking that I am “collecting” older news men. First Jim Lehrer, now Hugh Downs. Who’s next, Walter Cronkite? (Now that would be cool. Kronkite is the ultimate outspoken free-democracy journalist.) But don’t worry for my mental health (in that respect at least). Mr. Downs merely crossed my path (uh, after I went looking for him) while were were backstage at the Austin Symphony Orchestra rehearsal. I’m singing in the chorus and Downs is narrating in a modern piece called JFK, by Texan composer Dan Welcher. And I even refrained from bringing my poloroid along, which took some restraint. We perform Friday and Saturday and it’s such a cool, difficult and lovely piece, I’m really excited.
Life is good.