Christopher's Testimonials
Descriptive words and flattering phrases from happy clients, with the most recent at the bottom.
"Linnell's brilliant wit races at the speed of light."
-- James Dunn Editor Sonoma Business 7/94
"Your performance got rave reviews...the impersonations were terrific, and your enthusiasm infectious. I would give Christopher & Co. my highest recommendation."
-- Frank J. Wilson Gnl Mngr BART Bay Area Rapid Transit 10/94
"Thank you for providing us with such excellent, quality, family entertainment! Your shows and walk-around acts were very well received, and you were excellent to work with. Let us know is we can recommend you for any other event. You are a very versatile performer."
-- Cindy Wright CEO Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair 9/95
"You were fantastic! My husband was very, very impressed with your performance, as were his co-workers. Bill couldn't believe that even as you left the building you never once stepped out of character...Your originality (especially at the last minute) and talent are wonderful gifts."
-- Kathy Cox North American Mortgage Company 8/97
"A quick note to tell you what a great job you do as Columbo. I have probably seen anything he has done at least twice, and some even more. Your voice inflections and that patting of the raincoat is great. You really capture him. I can tell that you have been working hard at 'your other people' as well, the number has really increased. In fact, your entire business has grown. Buzz and I don't know who you got all of your information inside information from, but it was very accurate. You really made it fit, as if you knew everyone personally."
-- Don "Buzz" and Jan Pierce Sonoma County Shrine 8/97
"Steve and I want to thank you for the great performance at our company Christmas party. Everyone enjoyed it, and it was especially fun to see you roast Matthew."
-- Steve and Kathy Smith Steve Smith Plumbing 12/97
"You just keep out-doing yourself, Christopher. Hehehe Well done, well done...my hat's off to you! She's never been so happy in all of her life. She was the center of attention and that's exactly what I wanted you to do. And now the whole restaurant is now wondering what's gonna happen next year! Three or four people came up to me and wanted to know who you were and how they could get ahold of you...hehehe. You're gonna draw some good business out of this one. Once again, Christopher, thanks alot. The song was perfect...the words were perfect...everything was perfect...hehehe. You were better...you're like a good bottle of wine, Christopher, you get better with the years as they go by. Three--four years ago when you did this...you were great...you were even better this time...hehehe. Thanks a lot, Chris...once again, thanks a million! You came through, you really did...it was great!"
-- Jim Pulis Investigator UPS 2/98 (voice-mail transcription)
"It was truly a pleasure to include your talents and wonderful enthusiasm on Saturday during the Arts Awards Celebration. The feedback we've received from the guests has all been positive and very encouraging. We are already making plans for next year's event and invite you to mark your calendar... Again, it was a delightful event, much in part due to your performance." (Santa Rosa Symphony Founder Corrick Brown was honored on 6/6/98 at Kendall Jackson Winery...Christopher did 2 hours of Walkaround as Groucho Marx.)
-- Barbara Harris Exec. Dir. Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County 6/98
"Many thanks for helping to make the party a truly special event! Next year - August 12 with giltzy western theme - will keep you posted." ("Peanuts" Cartoonist Charles Schultz was honored on 8/7/99 at Ferrari-Carrano Winery...Christopher greeted attendees individually at the shuttle as Lt. Columbo, and entertained, guided, and made announcements to the crowd at large at the winery doing Walkaround throughout the grounds and around the buffet on stilts as Long Luigi Linguini, the 8-1/2-foot-tall Italian chef...pictures of this characterization are displayed in Christopher's Picture Gallery.)
-- Barbara Harris Exec. Dir. Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County 9/99
"Thank you Christopher. I heard nothing but great comments about your impersonation. Thanks again! Well done!"
--Tyler Clydesdale Exec. Dir. CA Real Estate Inspection Association 9/98
"I just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful performance at the CREIA Conference. I received numerous comments on how funny and entertaining your segment was. People were impressed with your asking questions on legal issues with our business, and were amazed that you did the prep work without any assistance. You were so convincing at the start (interrupting Clements' speech as Lt. Columbo), three people told me they were ready to call security until they figured it out. Again, THANK YOU for a wonderful performance!!!"
--Scott Clements Pres. CA Real Estate Inspection Association 9/98
"I just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks for your performance this past Saturday. I had expected that your visit would fete (the honoree) and that you would be very entertaining to our guests, but there was one other positive effect that I hadn't anticipated. The guests were from many different parts of (the honoree's) life, and many of them did not know one another. Your act drew people together and provided connections and "handles" that lasted the rest of the evening. I hadn't figured on your providing such an icebreaker function, but you did and it was fabulous! The party was a rousing success, in large part because of the jumpstart that you provided. Thanks again for a wonderful performance!"
--Bob Scott Hewlett Packard 9/98
--Paul Pastorino The Business Journal 9/98 (voice-mail transcription)
(This was the exclusive "Video Preview Party" staged by Ken Clark and Randy Sloan of The Business Journal on the Friday evening before the Telecom Valley Breakfast Forum, which was held September 22nd to focus on the many telecommunications companies in the Sonoma-Marin corridor. The exclusive "Video Preview Party" was attended by the executives of the telecommunications firms in "Telecom Valley". Clark and Sloan hired Christopher to do walkaround as Rodney Dangerfield, as a fiber optic technician who couldn't "get no respect", and then serve as the evening's emcee as Senator Bob Dole, who humorously grilled the Telecom Valley luminaries individually on mic before the group.)
"YOU WERE MARVELOUS! 'You made the meeting...without you we may not have pulled it off' said one of the organizers. Thank you so much for your fun & energizing humor! Hope to talk with you again soon!"
--Tamara Dunn National Bank of the Redwoods 1/99
"Hi, Christopher! You were great! Everyone loved you!"
--Darlene Shepard (Lt. Columbo presided over her 2nd wedding ceremony.) 1/99
"I wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your program! It was a huge hit! People were so pleased that we did it, and thought you were fabulous. I just wanted to tell you that. People asked where I found you, and I've given them (that) information, so you might get some business...you never know! Thanks again, Christopher, it was wonderful!"
--Theresa Richmond Queen of the Valley Hospital 4/99 (voice-mail transcription)
"You were wonderful and the song was perfect! Staff really enjoyed your visit and it's great that we have a song all our own! I'm impressed with what you do - what a way to make a living - I'm jealous!"
--Patricia Burgess Kaiser Permanente 5/99
"WOW! Christopher...you were hilarious...your characterization was superb...everyone loved your Dame Edna! Thanks...you made the party!"
--Tom Miner Charles Schwab & Co Inc 8/99
"Christopher, hello! Your performances were wonderful! It's a pleasure to include you as a major part of the festivities during (our) Acheivement in the Arts Awards celebration (This year "Peanuts" cartoonist was honored with an "Arthur" award for his contribution to the Arts in Sonoma County). Everyone has had wonderful things to say about your talents. Thanks so much for your participation. Here's to next year's event being as unique and successful (Christopher also performed at the previous year's event, honoring Santa Rosa Symphony founder and Conductor Corrick Brown, and the following year's event honoring Santa Rosa Press Democrat columnist Gaye LeBaron and her photographer husband, John)."
--Barbara Harris Cultural Arts Council of Sonoma County 8/99
"Thank you! You did a great job. My face hurt from laughing!"
--Michelle Ramatici Ramatici Insurance 2/00
"You were great--the club made over $100,000--
head table loved you! Let's keep in touch."
(With only 24 hours' notice, for their "western night" benefit, I started off on stilts as gun-toting western badguy, Black Bart III, followed by individual, fully costumed, singing impersonations of both Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash; the latter doing a STARGRAM Singing Telegram to the tune of the song "Folsom Prison Blues", individually honoring and lyrically immortalizing the members of the "head table" who had donated the most money.
Additionally, I was hired by the Lyon Family of Sonoma to do another Johnny Cash for a larger gathering of the same group of VoMB&GC benefactors on 7/22 at the Lyon Ranch.)
--Sally Stone Valley of the Moon Boys & Girls Club 2/00
"Thanks for everything.... you were the talk for the whole night and most of the next day!! We usually have sales meetings once a year... we will keep you in mind for any other events..."
-- Cheryl Hurd AVT Medialinq Services Group 2/00
"You were terrific! The party was the talk of the base today! We will miss the honoree, but as you saw, sending him off in that fashion is exactly what he wanted (and needed). Several folks asked for your info - so I've been passing out the cards and suspect you'll hear from more Coasties before long. Thanks again for making kicking off our evening in such a wonderful manner. Don't hesitate to use me as a reference if I can be of service."
-- Commander Craig Bennett US Coast Guard TRACEN Two Rock 07/00
(The honoree was Master Chief Rick Mercurio, the highest ranking enlisted man on the base and the enlisted liason to the Commanding Officer. Over the years I have feted retiring previous COs and other staff members at USCGTC-TR, as well as performing at a large number of parties of all types, including birthdays, anniversaries, and high school grad nights, all at the "Rocks & Shoals Consolidated Club", aka "The Club". The manager of the base's nightclub and bowling alley is Avis Linnins, and she has personally hired or referred me more that probably anyone over the years...she can be reached at 707-765-7247.)
"Give my number to anyone who wants a recommendation."
JoAnn Rinaldo private party repeat client 8/00
"You were just absolutely fabulous for us! Thank you so very much...you were fabulous! If we ever do a Frank Sinatra anything, you're our man...you were just great!" (voicemail transcription)
"You were absolutely fabulous..." (letter)
Joan Gately, President Lady Elks of San Rafael #1108 9/00
(I portrayed Frank Sinatra at a benefit auction luncheon for the Lady Elks.)
"A note to thank you for your outstanding performance last Thursday night at the Cattleman's - helping us say farewell to Russ Stiles. Posing as an OCLI security guard (Lt. Columbo), you were able to capture the absurdity of Russ transferring proprietary infomation - and yet make it sound almost possible. It was perfect. Everyone, including our managers, as well as Russ and his wife Laverne, agreed it was a first class performance. My workmates are still talking about you and thanking me for 'finding' you. Thanks again for helping us with a memorable farewell for Russ Stiles."
Lucille Bressem OCLI - Optical Coating Laboratories Inc 10/2000
"I just want to tell you how much we enjoyed having you at Next Level's Holiday Party on December 1, 2000. I saw you several times during the evening and you definitely kept the crowds entertained. You have a lot of energy and you were definitely a fun addition to the festivities that evening. Happy Holidays!"
Lorelei Farmer Next Level Communications 12/2000
"Thank you so much for your great performance. My mother loved the whole thing...You really made the party. I very much appreciate your talent and creativity."
Jackie Danielson SupportHose.com 10/2001
(I portrayed Frank Sinatra at a private 80th birthday party for Jackie's beautiful mom. Frank got her up on the stage and she joyfully sang several duets with him.)
"Thanks for the great performance....everyone loved it--it was a great addition to the party...it was a great success--he was surprised and overwhelmed. It was great seeing you perform again.."
Royce Everone Kaiser Permanente 2/2002
"You're getting rave reviews from Suzanne Brangham's birthday party (i.e., 'fantastic', '...best I've ever seen')."
Joyce & Steve Pease Sonoma's Ramekin Cooking School 2/2003
(Repeat clients Joyce & Steve asked me to honor Sonoma developer, hotelier, restauranteur, and Ramekin cooking school founder Suzanne Brangham on her 60th birthday at a huge soiree at Ramekin with about 300 of her friends and admirers...stiltwalking Italian chef Long Luigi Linguini presented Suzanne with a most memorable pair of gifts. The party invitations instructed guests to bring two raw carrots with them. Joyce & Steve couldn't make it to the party, so they sent 8 1/2 foot tall Luigi, who handed Suzanne a mysterious set of successively smaller gift boxes, the smallest inside bearing a tiny pair of mini carrots, and a Christopher & Co. card designating Joyce & Steve as the friends responsible.)
"You did a PHENOMENAL job today, and if it is at all feasible, I would like to provide you with a personal recommendation for future clients. Having lived mostly in NY and LA, I really did not think that I could pull this off, this well, this quickly. You were absolutely a total delight. Lynne, your victim, loved it, and you teetered on the edge of appropriateness as if you worked there. Let me also add that FOURTH level management called in to ask details, in a positive way, before the day was done. THANK YOU THANK THANK YOU! Have anyone call me at 707-665-9783 if they want a personal recommendation.
Keara Donahue SBC Pacific Bell 2/2003
Thank you so much for last nite! I'm probably the only gal that really loved you when you were in office. I remember the cigars very well. With some of the things that you did when you were in office...I must say you did it again last nite. You blew everyone away! To be honest, I wish you were still in the White House...Bush is leading us to War...not one of my favorite things. I think you would have waited to see if we could settle this in time and in peace. Bill, thank you for coming to my Birthday Party...you wild and crazy guy. Bill, take care of yourself and when you lite your cigar...think of me...Love and miss you! Monica
Glenn / Roz Morris Ret. CHP / VIP-SRPD, VIP-SoCoSO, CCI 3/2003
(Glenn hired me as Roz' favorite president [Clinton] for her 60th birthday party...in attendance were public safety officer friends from all over the Northbay. Glenn & Roz have been repeat clients since 1983 when Glenn was still with the CHP...I did the Rohnert Park headquarter's Christmas parties, and individual officers and management personnel hired me back and forth at each other on birthdays and promotions and work anniversaries. And Glenn and Roz started hiring me back and forth for each other on their big birthdays. Though Glenn is retired, Roz volunteers for the SRPD, SoCoSheriff's Office, Sutter Hospital, Canine Companions for Independence, Los Guillicos Juvenile Detention Center, the Santa Rosa Animal Shelter, and myriad other law enforcement and canine agencies. With all that to keep her out of the house, Glenn may never SEE Roz, but how can you leave a woman with such energy and such a BIG HEART?)
Thanks Chris, (she and her fellow students hired me as Elvis for the professor and his fiance) that was just what we needed last night! You are a hoot...Thanks a million! It was a riot!
J Barlas SSU Pschology Department Grad Student 3/22/03
"I think you'll be able to see from the photo of you (as Groucho Marx) & Bobbie how much she enjoyed your performance, as did we all, Macho Dirk included. You were a great addition. I'll keep you in mind next time we need party "enhancement". Thanks alot. Good show!
Pamela Larsen Ross 50th anniversary of Dirk & Bobbie Van Meurs 4/26/03
Just a note to let you know how great we ALL thought you were as Columbo on Saturday... As we enjoyed the rest of the weekend in sunny California, we revisited the Birthday party and especially your part. You were terrific... Thanks again, wish you would have given me a couple of your cards, some people inquired about how to reach you. I did tell.Ü
Jane A. Craig 80th Birthday of Agnes Roderick 6/21/03
"Thanks so much for your excellent performance. The entire meeting got excellent reviews from the sales representatives who attended. We're even getting thank you notes from them which is great. Again, Chris, thanks so much for your time and effort!"
-- Stacey Leggett Marketing Communications Graham Drives 5/98
(This was more than just a single meeting...it was a national sales meeting and product kick-off for some 300 independent sales reps and distributors and their spouses at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, at which I performed 20 separate fully-costumed characterizations over the course of 3 days and evenings of workshops, meetings, dinners, and parties, and for which I provided consultation, scripting, staging, and presentation of the opening and closing sessions, as well as two songs, a laptop computer Powerpoint Presentation, and a game show. In order to provide these services, I spent 5 months learning about Graham, and its products and market.
I have provided similar services for the out-of-town national and international sales meetings of these other fine firms, whose web sites can be found at my Links Page:
IDC-Industrial Devices Corporation, of Novato, California;
Danfoss Drives, of Rockford, Illinois;
STI-Scientific Technologies Incorporated, of Fremont, California;
Parker/Hanifin-Computmotor Division, of Rohnert Park, California;
and SOLA Optical USA, of Petaluma, California;
I've also provided simple corporate meeting, trade show, and party entertainment and walkaround characterization services to the many other corporations, public agencies, media corporations, and fairs and festivals you'll find listed on my Clients Page.)
What can I do for YOUR company?
Christopher's Page-Footer LIBRARY
The underlined heading below are links to more information...those that appear in BLACK are under construction, will be links soon, and currently designate information available to you right now by mail or fax...(as are all headings):
Home * 45 Star Picture Postcard * Photo Gallery * Biography * Testimonials
Client List * Hall of Fame * Best Walkaround Stars * Best Celebrity Voices
Company Parties * Christopher's Corporate Comedy * Private Parties
Game Shows * Stage Acts * Stiltwalking * Theme Parties * Holiday Programs
President F.D. Roosevelt and the U.S.S. Potomac * New Stars!
Fairs & Festivals * Links to Christopher's Colleagues & Clients
Online Questionnaire & Performance Order
Christopher Linnell
Christopher & Co. Celebrity Impersonations
POB 2927 Petaluma CA 94953-2927
707-762-2596
All content, graphics, and images contained throughout are
Copyright 2003 by Christopher D. Linnell
and are protected by United States and International copyright laws.
No text, graphic, or image may be used, in whole or in part, individually,
or as part of a derivative work, without express written permission.