I'm just a Teddy Bear...

My father and mother listened to a lot of Country and Western music when I was a child. For awhile there, I must have thought that was the only kind of music that existed.

In 1972, when I was 13 years old, a song entitled "I Wish I was a Teddy Bear" hit the top of the C&W charts and then crossed over to the pop music charts much to everyone's surprise. I can remember singing along with the song whenever it was played on the radio or on my parent's record player. I even ended up singing the song in my head without any external stimuli - it was scary!

I can remember looking at Barbara Fairchild's picture on her many record albums and thinking how pretty she was - I ended up with a slight crush on her to say the least. I remember thinking to myself "Gee, I wish I really was a teddy bear and then I'd let her squeeze me!" - that was my teenage hormones kicking in I reckon.

Well, back then, little did I realize that I'd actually ever get to meet Barbara in person - but I did. Thirteen years later, while stationed temporarily in Puerto Rico with the U.S. Coast Guard, I was lucky enough to be able to attend a concert performance by her. Old memories of my childhood quickly flooded back into my mind as I listened to her sing that night.

At the end of the concert, it was announced that Barbara was going to be signing autographs so a line quickly formed in front of the stage. I patiently waited my turn and after about 20 minutes finally came face-to-face with a still very beautiful Barbara Fairchild. "I'm sorry, I've run out of pictures to autograph. Do you want me to autograph something else?"

I stood there for a few seconds, my mind reeling.

"You know, I'd sure rather have a hug from you than an autograph."

I couldn't believe those words had slipped off my lips. I felt so embarrassed. My shipmates started making funny noises and laughing at me.

"Well, you just step right over here and you've got your hug."

My shipmates were caught off guard, so was I.

I got my hug that night, and I got to tell Barbara about listening to her music with my parents and about my early teenage crush on her.

It was a very enjoyable and memorable evening if I say so myself.