[quote]. . . I arrived, headed for my favorite barbecue stand and, en route, noticed that Mel Tormé was seated at one of the tables. . . .[/quote]
[quote]. . . The carolers — all still apparently unaware they were in the presence of one of the world's great singers — looked a bit uncomfortable. I'd bet at least a couple were thinking, "Oh, no...the little fat guy wants to sing.". . .[/quote]
http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL245.htm
Great music-/fannish-/Xmas-related story, with an especially zingy ending.
(And in addition to being the Velvet Fog, Mel Tormé was also a drummer.)