Envy Me or Pity Me – But I Just Shook Hands with Willie Robertson and Loved It

What can I say? I’m human. I don’t *want* to care when there are people in the room who have been on TV. I don’t *want* to think that when I touch them I feel a little bit better about myself.

But I do.

So after I accepted an email invitation to a SHOT Show party for the launch of Commander Apparel from the Duck Dynasty folks, I felt a little giddy when I looked up and saw Willie and Korie entering the room.

I couldn’t help myself.

I stood within a couple feet of them as they entered, but they swiftly and professionally headed to their spot — a sofa from which passers-by in the public hallway could view them and snap their photos.

I stood, partaking of their generously-provided free beer and food, for which I am sincerely grateful, watching passers-by do just that, for nearly an hour.

And then, by God, I did something about it.

What did I do? Well, like a typical fanboy, I left my post by the deviled eggs (yummy, and the only Yardbird food I ate that isn’t sweet, though not as good as my Mommer’s) and closed the distance between myself and Willie.

When I got up close, I handed my phone to a sweet Southern gal who stood ready to take photos of goobers like me with famous hairballs like WR.

Nothing against Willie Robertson, but without the fame he’s actually just a really hairy guy who’s not particularly impressive. And again, I enjoyed the photo op and contact.

I shook Willie’s hand, and had my picture made with him. As proven by the photo at the top of this page. A joyous old fan photo-bombed me, God bless him.

In parting, I said to Willie, “Keep the faith, bro.” His reply? “I will.”

Don’t judge me.

On my way out of the room, I photo-bombed some innocent person’s picture with Godwin (and exchanged a fist-bump with someone who appreciated my act of irony) then shook hands with the white-bearded Big Man and asked him a question: “Is there any part of your life that’s real anymore?”

He thought for a moment, then replied: “Yeah.”

Satisfied, I retired from the scene.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.