I learned early that I can't Name Drop. Just never works for me. Here's how I learned.
Local brew pub features some pretty good live music, lots of emerging acts, and a regular group at the time called the Hot Five Jazzmakers. I was there one night as a friend was a featured guest-brewer, drinking my allotted half pint (yes... I'm a cheap drunk too, and am rationed...) Friend says to me, This is a pretty good jazz group - usually Jeff Healey comes and sits in with them.
I'm thinking, Jeff Healey is a guitar god - friend likely saw him here once a few years ago and is BSing me. But a few minutes later, I turn my head and Healey's sitting at the next table. Double take - yep, it's Jeff Healey.
I am way too cool to say anything. (Translation - am speechless.)
So he finishes his drink, gets on stage, and plays trumpet with these guys for the rest of the night - a semi-regular gig with people he has played with for years. A cool night.
The next day, I am at my brother's house, chatting with my sis-in-law and their neighbour, who is a recently-retired public school music teacher. I tell the story - you'll never guess who I saw last night, blah blah blah. The neighbour's face lights up and she says, Jeffrey! Oh, he wrote his first song for me!
Yep - she taught him.
So no, if anyone ever asks, I've never had an interesting encounter...