‘It’s never too late to follow your dream’
One of the Emmy’s “The Kelly Clarkson Show” won this year was for “outstanding art direction/set decoration/scenic design.”
One member of that team was Kevin Grace, formerly of Homer Glen, lead set decorator for the show.
Grace had two thoughts about winning the award.
“Kelly is an amazingly great person to work for and so good at his job,” Grace said. “We all knew we had something special with this show.”
The second?
“I’m so glad I sat in front of the TV watching Bob Vila when I was 11 years old instead of the Road Runner,” Grace said.” How to put shingles on the roof or lay bricks – all these things fascinated me.”
Vila has hosted a number of home improvement shows over the years, which Grace enjoyed, never realizing he’d use some of that knowledge one day.
The road to the Emmy, for Grace, was following opportunities. The first was working in men’s fashion at Carson’s in Orland Square Mall. It was the 1980s, men’s fashion was “coming into its own” and Grace loved it, he said.
“Kelly is an amazingly great person to work for and so good at his job,” Grace said. “We all knew we had something special with this show.”
The second?
“I’m so glad I sat in front of the TV watching Bob Vila when I was 11 years old instead of the Road Runner,” Grace said.” How to put shingles on the roof or lay bricks – all these things fascinated me.”