Fortunate hitchhiker gets ride from fans
Dave Matthews may jet to performances around the world, but that doesn’t mean his bicycle never breaks down.
That’s what happened before the singer’s show in Hershey, Pa., on Saturday when one of his fans pulled over to give a stranded cyclist a ride and realized the hitchhiker was none other than Matthews, who didn’t have a cellphone on him.
Emily Kraus told WHP-TV in Harrisburg that she and her boyfriend helped Matthews stow his bicycle on their bike rack and he got in their car for the rest of the ride.
“We didn’t know how to make conversation with him, in fact, so we were talking about his tour and where he had come from,” Kraus said. “He had just been in Cincinnati and he said, ‘I’m taking a short break after this one because I have to drop my daughters off at camp.’ … He was just a very humble guy.”
He invited them to dinner, took them back stage and got them front-row seats.
Danes more secure in her design
Claire Danes, interior designer?
The “Homeland” actress said she considered a change of careers when she went through a stretch where she couldn’t find a good role.
In an interview for Vogue’s August issue, the 34-year-old said she didn’t work for two years after starring in the 2010 biopic “Temple Grandin,” which earned her an Emmy and Golden Globe. Danes said she couldn’t just take any role after playing Grandin, an activist for autistics and animal rights.
Danes calls it a grim experience that left her so hurt that she flirted with a career change. Says Danes: “I really like interior design.”
Of course, Danes didn’t leave acting. She landed the role of Carrie Mathison on “Homeland” and has won an Emmy and two Golden Globes.
Travis awake, recovering after surgery
Country music star Randy Travis was awake and making progress Monday as he recovers from surgery following a stroke, his doctors said.
In a news release and video from the Texas hospital where the 54-year-old singer is recovering, doctors also gave a more detailed explanation for the health troubles, saying they were caused by scarring on his heart.
Doctors said Travis remains on a ventilator but is breathing spontaneously and his breathing support is gradually being reduced. He was interacting with his family and friends and has begun the early stages of physical therapy.
Mary Davis, Travis’ fiancee, thanked the singer’s friends and fans for their prayers and support.
The birthday bunch
Drummer Stewart Copeland (The Police) is 61. Dancer Michael Flatley (“Lord of the Dance”) is 55. Actress Phoebe Cates is 50. Actor Will Ferrell is 46. Actress Jayma Mays (“Glee”) is 34. Actor Mark Indelicato (“Ugly Betty”) is 19.