Kevin Costner, Hugh Jackman and Richard Marx Stir Downtown Davenport, Iowa

I missed crossing paths with Kevin Costner by exactly 24 hours. Lunchtime on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 found actor and musician Kevin Costner eating lunch at the Front Street Brewery on East River Drive in Davenport, Iowa. Ladies especially were gathered at the windows of local office buildings excitedly pointing and asking each other "did you see him?"

Costner and his band Modern West played for 90 minutes that night at the Col Ballroom. While many in attendance probably do not know where Leland, Iowa is, they were probably hoping the band would play the song named for the tiny Iowa town.

After enjoying the show, throngs of fans approached the stage where a smiling and accommodating Costner signed everything that was thrown his way, from T-shirts and hats to little plastic balls given away by a local bank.

As it turns out, Kevin Costner was not the only celebrity in town.

Richard Marx who found fame in the 80's with such songs as "Don't Mean Nothing", "Endless Summer Nights" and "Should've Known Better" currently lives in Chicago working as a songwriter. Apparently Marx is considering doing some work for Costner's Band and wanted to see them perform.

Chicago is about a 3 hour drive from Davenport, but Marx found a jet to take him to the show. But maybe the biggest surprise is who tagged along with Marx.

It turns out that none other than Hugh Jackman and family are spending the week with the Marx family, as they are good friends. Hugh came to Davenport with his friend Richard Marx to see Costner and Modern West.

Patrons of a bar and grill a few blocks from the Col Ballroom, Macs Tavern, may not have recognized Richard Marx by sight (as far as I know he did NOT sing!) but were surprised to see the very recognizable Hugh Jackman calmly drinking a Corona with his friends.

For the most part it seems they were not really bothered, although many eyes were certainly on the group. It may be a while before such star power is in town again, just hanging out.

The following day, the stars were long gone; Marx and Jackman had flown back to Chicago and Costner had headed out for his next performance in Montana. Right at noon I found myself walking across Emerson Place, the same alley that Costner walked down after finishing his lunch.

24 hours earlier and I would have crossed paths with Kevin Costner just out for a stroll. Maybe next time.