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Permalink Reply by J. Mikael on February 23, 2015 at 7:43am

Since 2003 I have met the band many times at their hotel and once at the airport. Billy's gotten a little tougher in recent years and his signature can be pretty rushed, but he still signs. Frank has signed one each everytime I've met him. Dusty is the most easy going and will probably sign anything and everything you've got.

Frank is the most elusive as he never leaves the hotel except for the gig and airport, so you should always try and get him first. Billy sometimes goes out for a beer or to do some shopping. I've often seen Dusty come out specifically to meet the fans.

Many times the band members were traveling around in Nightliner busses even thought they flew in and out of the country and stayed the night at a hotel.

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Permalink Reply by N.Steiger on February 23, 2015 at 10:55am

The last two times they have been to my city, 2012 and 13 only Billy signed 1 each and they were total junk, just a series of loops. And that was after the show only. Something changed in the last couple years and they are trying to shut it down. The venue is usually a mess cause they rush them in and out so try to find the hotel cause you may catch them in a more relaxed state.

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Permalink Reply by J. Mikael on February 23, 2015 at 1:22pm

Wow, that is tough. Back in 2003 when ZZ Top was supporting the Rolling Stones here in Europe, Frank was already signing just one each, but Billy and Dusty were alright. You could regularly even get the "G" from Gibbons in addition to just "Billy".

In 2010 Frank and Dusty were the same, but I only saw Billy once at the airport and he was drunk and though it would be funny to sign each autograph bigger and bigger. I have also seen him sign just his initials "BFG" really small.

In 2012 the band played two shows in different cities here, but stayed all three nights in the same hotel. I got Frank each time he arrived or left the hotel. Dusty hung around outside the hotel for long periods of time, just smoking and chatting with the fans. Billy was alright for the first day and a half, but stopped signing after that.

Last summer Dusty and Frank were the same as always, but Billy was signing just one each from the start. He didn't stop signing completely at any point this time though.

Also, I've many times had Dusty walk past me, but telling he'll come back (after checking-in for example) and he has always kept his word. As for Billy, I've had him refuse to sign the "El Loco" album several times, but saw him happily sign one for a lady in 2012.

I've heard the band also sells meet & greet packages, so that might be why they are cutting back on signing elsewhere, but who really knows.

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Permalink Reply by N.Steiger on February 23, 2015 at 4:25pm

it all depends on the venue and their travel accommodations.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Burger on February 23, 2015 at 6:29pm

They are selling meet and greets but I have been told they do not sign during the meet and greet and that they only take pictures with you for the 250.00 they charge. The best way is to find the hotel to get them.

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Permalink Reply by J. Mikael on February 23, 2015 at 6:56pm

Well, as long as it's made clear in advance. Just seems kind of silly, since all of them do sign at hotels, etc.

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