TORONTO – Bestselling fantasy writer George R.R. Martin drew a very large crowd to Indigo Books on Bay st. while making a promotional stop in Toronto. In fact, the line up to have Mr. Martin sign a copy from his hit series of “A Song of Ice and Fire” books was probably the longest HoundsTV has ever witnessed at this particular book store (and we’ve been to many signings at this store over the years. Martin’s line was even longer than President Bill Clinton who recently had visited the store to sign books.)

No doubt Mr. Martin’s increased popularity has been from the success of HBO’s ‘Game Of Thrones” of which the television series is inspired by his series of novels. It was the latest, “A Dance with Dragons,” that Martin was in Toronto to promote.

“I’m recognized on the streets. I mean, just that — that’s one of the things that startles me, and I think that’s largely a result of the HBO thing.” – George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin was named to Time magazine’s 2011 list of the most influential people in the world. At the book signing, Martin was wearing his signature accessories, suspenders and a cap. The genial author was polite and even apologetic for the long wait people would be experiencing before getting up to meet him.

Line up around the block to meet George R.R. Martin (March 13, 2012)

all photos Richard Budman / shot7.com

The 2012 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto set record attendance this year and people weren’t just going to look at all the slick new automobiles. Some shrewd Hot Wheels collectors were looking to bring home a car too. Specifically, a limited edition diecast collectible of a life-size Hot Wheels Camaro Concept created by Chevrolet and Hot Wheels.

But Chevrolet wasn’t just giving away the hotly sought after diecast Camaro easily. You had to earn it. And being a little tech savvy (equipped with the right mobile) was the first step. In a first for an Auto Show floor – Chevrolet teamed up with mobile gaming app SCVNGR to create an innovative way to reward show attendees with a coveted prize.

Hundreds of fans turned out to Indigo Books in downtown Toronto where country music icon, Shania Twain, made a rare in-person appearance. Shania was there to sign copies of her just published memoir, “From This Moment On.”

It’s been a roller-coaster few years for the otherwise publicity-shy Shania. In 2008, her marriage to music producer Robert “Mutt” Lange broke down, when it was revealed that he’d been having an affair with their property manager and Shania’s best friend, Marie Anne Thiebaud. To add to the media fuel that had infringed on her personal life, Shania married Frédéric Thiébaud on Janurary 1, 2011, the former husband of Marie Anne.

In the emotionally charged autobiography, Shania recalls the struggles of her younger years, living in poverty and growing up in a domestically abusive household, and the maternal care of her four younger siblings she took on when her parents were tragically killed in a car crash. She reveals intimate details of her life as she dealt with her first divorce, and the loss of her best friend, but most of all she walks us through the inspiring and empowering tale of her climb toward fame and her successful multifaceted career.

Today, Twain and Thiébaud spend most of the year at their mountainside Switzerland estate, which the couple recently converted into a horse ranch, from a 20th century mill. There, according to friends, the couple and Shania’s son Eja feel tranquil, and completely removed from the world.

In her first interview about the book with Oprah, Shania said, “Every step has had its own level of anxiety attached. The relief comes because I’m now in the interaction with the fans and the public and sensing their connection to the book, and I’m just sensing a community spirit. We’re all in this together,” she adds. “I’m sure many people have experienced these things and I’m hoping that they relate, and benefit.”

Shania reveals many intimate stories from her incredible climb to worldwide stardom in her just released book, “From This Moment On.”

HoundsTV was in attendance at the book signing and managed to secure a very few signed copies.

ITEM: SHANIA TWAIN autographed “From This Moment On” first edition hardcover book (signed in black marker. HoundsTV watermark graphic does not appear on actual item.)
PRICE: $125.00 CAN + $15.00 (S&H in North America.)
SIGNED: May, 2011 – Indigo Books. Toronto, Canada

Contact us for any questions about this item and/or shipping charges outside North America. Includes Guarantee of Authenticity. Additional Terms & Policies. Satisfaction GUARANTEED.

MIAMI – Axl Rose has been taking his Guns N’ Roses bandmates through a tour of intimate club dates. GnR started the small venue tour during February in New York and now has moved south into Florida.

On March 5th, Guns N’ Roses played to a packed crowd at The Fillmore Miami Beach. Legendary autograph collector and concert goer @TheSigLibrary was in attendance to tweet an interesting story told by Axl that night.

It seems Axl (who has a penchant for partying hard after shows) didn’t touch the booze after the previous night’s Orlando show because he “wanted to save his voice” for the Fillmore. But when Lisa Marie Presley (yeah, Elvis’ daughter) paid a visit to Axl’s tour bus – Rose, told the Fillmore crowd jokingly, “when Elvis’ daughter calls me a pussy for not doing shots with her, I take exception!”

Guns N’ Roses extend their tour of intimate venues in Los Angeles next week before setting off for Europe with shows scheduled in Ireland and England.

In early April, Guns N’ Roses will be inducted into Rock’s Hall Of Fame. This has A LOT of people wondering if Axl will show up in Cleveland and share a stage with his ex-bandmates – most notably Slash who Rose has not spoken to in 15 years.

The Champ is here!

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali returned to Toronto, Canada for the first time in almost a decade on November 19th. The Champ was making the single night visit to the city for an appearance at an annual David Foster Foundation benefit Gala.

It was a much quieter return to Toronto for Ali considering the fanfare that accompanied his last visit during 2002, when Ali appeared at Toronto’s Skydome for an Argos football game and press conference (with fellow boxing champions Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, & George Chuvalo!)

From the first time meeting Ali during an appearance in Detroit during 1996, HoundsTV has had the pleasure of seeing The Greatest a few times over the years and witness him autograph some very beautiful pieces of memorabilia for the autograph Hounds.

RELATED: Muhummad Ali autographed boxing glove. Signed “aka Cassius Clay” from Cleveland National.

But on Muhammad’s latest visit to Toronto towards the end of 2010, it’s evident the Parkinson’s disease Ali was diagnosed with many years ago has now slowed his body considerably. On arrival to his downtown Toronto hotel a few hours before his scheduled appearance at the David Foster hosted benefit – Muhammad had to be helped from the car into the hotel by wife Yolanda and another person supporting him on each side.

When Ali last visited Toronto in late 2002 – it was very public and many cameras captured that special scene. But Muhammad Ali’s 2010 visit was private and low-key. And unlike last time, very few photographers even managed to capture a shot of Ali in the city. The Champ didn’t appear before photographers assembled for the red carpet arrivals at the David Foster fundrasier and it was asked repeatedly by representatives accompanying Ali at the event that people who approach Ali – please don’t ask for autographs.

YouTube: It was a much more public appearance for Muhammad Ali on his last visit to Toronto during late 2002. Ali arrived to great fanfare, and signed autographs for the collectors.

RELATED: Muhummad Ali autographed boxing glove. Signed “aka Cassius Clay” from Cleveland National.

One special time is certainly in Cleveland during 1997. When we heard that Ali was going to be the featured autograph guest at The National, we got the HoundsTVmobile going and made the journey to Cleveland for America’s biggest memorabilia show of the year.

One of the nicer pieces I had Muhammad Ali autograph was this official Everlast leather boxing glove [ $1,995 ] signed “Muhammad Ali aka Cassius Clay.” In these early autograph days for HoundsTV there was limited opportunties to ask the Champ to add his original name inscription.

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ITEM: MUHAMMAD ALI signed Everlast boxing glove with “aka Cassius Clay” inscription – (Signed in medium black sharpie. HoundsTV watermark graphic does not appear on actual item.)
PRICE: $1,995.00 CAN + $50.00 (S&H in North America.)
SIGNED: March, 1997 – The National, Cleveland, Ohio

Contact us for any questions about this item and/or shipping charges outside North America. Includes Guarantee of Authenticity. Additional Terms & Policies. Satisfaction GUARANTEED.

HoundsTV had to get up pretty early in the morning to catch up with the Big Bang Theory’s breakout star, and recent Emmy winner Jim Parsons. Parsons, along with co-stars Simon Helberg (Howard) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj) were making the first stop of many media engagements at a local radio station.

On exit, Jim Parsons was nice about signing this officially licensed, large sized, blue “It’s Not Cartoons… It’s Anime!” T-shirt [ $150.00 CAN] Big Bang Theory writers and Parsons have created one truly memorable character in Dr. Sheldon Cooper – who have now spawned a mini pop/geek culture T-shirt industry based from the success of the show.

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ITEM: JIM PARSONS autogrpahed Dr. Sheldon Cooper BIG BANG THEORY T-SHIRT – (Size: Large, Signed in blue sharpie on T-shirt. HoundsTV watermark graphic does not appear on actual item.)
PRICE: $150.00 CAN + $20.00 (S&H in North America.)
SIGNED: October 7, 2010 – Toronto, Canada

Contact us for any questions about this item and/or shipping charges outside North America. Includes Guarantee of Authenticity. Additional Terms & Policies. Satisfaction GUARANTEED.

HoundsTV was able to catch up to Clint Eastwood on his arrival into the city the day before. Leaving the private airfield, Mr Eastwood was very kind to stop and beautifully autograph this 26″ x 38″ movie poster of “Dirty Harry” [ $995.00 CAN ] – one of Clint’s most famous roles. This poster is an exact reprint of the official 1971 release poster and features the graphic artwork of legendary movie poster designer Bill Gold. This was the first in the series of iconic “Dirty” Harry Callahan movies.

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Bieber was spotted by fans enjoying ice-cream with his bodyguard in the Yonge Dundas area. They tried moving quickly through the building crowd that started to follow them. Justin and crew, who have gotten used to escaping mobs of teenage girls – quickly found entry to the Eaton Centre underground parking and disappeared.

BIG thanks to Reem Jonas for sharing the photos!

It was Paul’s first trip back to Toronto in five years and the Sunday night concert was only Macca’s 10th show in Canada as a solo artist since 1976.

And that anticipation was met as a rash of autograph collectors and their crews descended upon Toronto all in hopes of achieving that coveted Sir Paul signature. Unknown to most, McCartney actually arrived in the city late Saturday afternoon and rehearsed at a venue close to the ACC. While McCartney was pleasant with a smile and wave to the few collectors present at this practice venue – he didn’t sign any autographs on the way in or out.

When McCartney arrived back to his Toronto hotel after the first show – There was just too many people for Macca’s people to even consider him signing.

It would turn out that McCartney would only sign once for the hounds on that trip to Toronto, and that’s just before Paul exited the city at the private airfield after the second show. While close to 100 collectors raced to meet Macca, he ended up signing for just over a quarter of them – and they were some very nice signatures indeed.

And I and some helpers were fortunate to get some nice items signed. Like this Capitol Records issue of the Beatles, RUBBER SOUL. While this album shows some wear it is considered one of the most critically acclaimed releases in the Beatles discography. Paul McCartney beautifully signed the album cover in black sharpie after the show in Toronto.

A NOTE ABOUT PHOTOS OF PAUL SIGNING: HoundsTV always strives to provide photographic proof of our celebrity encounters. Paul McCartney can be difficult to shoot on some occasions. Most times, Paul’s security requests NO PHOTOS be taken when Paul is signing for the collectors. As the presence of cameras has disrupted signings in the past and to respect the wishes of Mr. McCartney – photos of Paul signing can be rare. But we have got them many times before.

ITEM: BEATLES “RUBBER SOUL” ALBUM. Signed by PAUL McCartney on the album cover (Good condition. Album shows some wear at edges on cover. Signed in black sharpie. VERY SUITABLE FOR FRAMING. HoundsTV watermark graphic does not appear on actual item.)
PRICE: $1,300.00 CAN + $50.00 (insured & tracked S&H in North America) **Just 1 remaining in-stock.
SIGNED: August 9, 2010 – Toronto, Canada

THIS ITEM IS NOW OUT-OF-STOCK

Contact us for any questions about this item and/or shipping charges outside North America. Includes Guarantee of Authenticity. Additional Terms & Policies. Satisfaction GUARANTEED.