Seems all like dejavu as I write this, except for the wrong time of year,and all as back in the era, The Salt Lake City AutoRama,(now the Utah AutoRama) was in November, which made it good since you could go to the Boise Roadster Show in March, and still go to the Salt Lake City AutoRama in the fall. So it was in 1981, for three years prior, my butt was parked in front of the snowy TV with KMVT 11 Twin Falls Idaho and 7:00PM came on the Dukes. At that point it was just another TV show.
At the time , Jimmy Mac, myself, Alan Culbertson Junior and Karl Kuhn had already opened our shop as Pat & Jims Speed Shop. Fall of 1980 I went on a fact finding trip, that was stopped due to a snow storm. I parked near my room since I couldn't go home in that storm, wouldn't you know it? A local kid had built a pretty good copy of ye old General Lee. Funny how those things happen. So it was that I was determined to find out who owned the car, after I did, gave him my phone number as I had plans on buying the car if he ever wanted to sell it.
In June of 1981, the crew at our shop then, decided we were going to Utah to the AutoRama and be a exibitor rather than a spectator. We had built a Mini Kenworth out of a VW Rabbit, Diesel. However in finding some props, mainly some white go-go boots for our display or diorama , I noticed ye old General was for sale. Once bought and in my hands my entire life changed. Sure I had hob nobbed with celebrities, writing for some, like Airwolf and two others, but this one discovery changed my entire life. Once the General hit Hagerman, aka Hazzard, Idaho, I got clearance to use the proper name for our shop as the Hazzard County Garage. Of course following that, came the Hazzard County Knytes(knights) Kustmz Association, and in so doing, letters, visiting the set of the show supplying cars, and other vehicles to the show, I became part of the Hazzard County/Dukes family. Once Hazzard County infects you, you become addicted to it, as I always say, Hazzard County is more than just a place on earth, Hazzard County becomes a place in your heart and takes over your soul. It was the Dukes that caused me to look further into my southern roots, and discover I had much more in common with people of the south than I did of those here in Yankee land. So in time, I landed the Lady, bought LexiBelle, and for all intents and purposes I became the living true to life Crazy Cooter, at least in and of the Mountain West. Much of that I still live, and which is at the heart of everything I do. The very heart. Sure Knightrider, the A-Team and others that I wrote a few episodes for, or co wrote, plus four or so episodes of Airwolf, and yes I dealt with much of the cast of those shows, but none of which , made me feel as much of the real family as did the Dukes-of-Hazzard. I love each and every one of them, From Cooter to Daisy, to Cletus to Enos, every member, from Gy Waldron to Paul Picard(God rest him) and Uncle Jessie the entire crew, cast and studio. While I did work for other shows, still not one of those cast members ever came to my Mom's funeral. The entire cast of the Dukes did except for Luke, and only because he had another pressing gig, but he did send flowers and all. The rest were there, if not in person, in spirit, many called the night before including sweet Daisy, and after including Ben(Cooter). That's just one reason my mind might occupy Airwolf at times, but my soul is dedicated to as well as my heart, the cast and families there of, of the Dukes. To many the Dukes-of-Hazzard is a TV show, for me, the Dukes and all of Hazzard County is a way of life.
This brings me to this, The fall of 2017, Evanston Wyoming will be turned upside down, as the Hazzard Knytes, Hazzard County Choppers, and Cooter's A1 Toewing of Evanston Wyoming, will present DukesFest West. A celebration of all things Dukes-of-Hazzard as well as Southern culture. Food, home grown car,truck, bike show, celebrity autograph signing and Cooter's Garage Band playing good old Kountry music.
A 4 day gig, and celebrating Deputy Enos's Birthday right here in Evanston Wyoming, adding some southern charm to the north. If you thought an event couldn't change a place, think again. Take 15,000 people, add 190,000 more and it'll be a southern jamboree in the Mountain West.
All too often, the lord our Heavenly Father works in ways and uses tools that are obscure to most people , the snow storm that made me connect with a kid with the General Lee, the snow storm, that happened to make me stay put here in Evanston, the night I had to stay in to get online and meet SheWolf. I very important set of circumstances that while not logical, happen because the lord our Heavenly Father wants them too. The meeting of me and Rick my partner at the old shop and all, are about as opposite as two people can be, and even when I was bad mouthing him and all he stuck by me. Even though he is a few years younger than me, I couldn't do this now without him. But when it comes down to everything, its me, my SheWolf, and Hazzard County.
For more information on DukesFest West, give me a call at 307-679-7209 or email me at knytesofanarchy@yahoo.com
TTYLY
Simple things that once you just had to view, that now that your all but hooked up, you no longer look at or care about. case for instance, down here in Evanston, at Jodies Diner, one that works in the mornings, that usually has my complete attention, yet here lately since I became involved with SheWolf, I really don't care. The word though does get around, that now that many can't rub their butts in my face to get me to catch a wiff of their jiff to convince to buy something or such, they're damn right onery. The big question within the elite of our town is, just who was it that was able to capture the hearl and mind of ye ole AyreWolf here? After all, i had been one that of the kind that I had nearly become a committed lone wolf. Yet, here she came, and she will soon wear my last name. Once your testesterone level is directed elsewhere, and constantly drained from the main vein, you now can focus on doing business. You no longer walk into an office, or place, and every female in the place thinking your on the make. It's now, get me what the fuck I need, let me pay for it so I can get back to work. Really the only bad thing here if it is in fact bad, is I had to reach out of the region, to our beloved land of Dixie, to Florida, to bird dog, my mate, and pay $300.00 to import her , here to Evanston. which is an insult considering there were a few hundred here that could have linked up with the old Wolf here, plus there are at least a few hundred in Metro Utah, that could have pulled out their stuck up little heads out of their butts, but nope. Oh well , just like I figured, it took a SouthernBelle, to capture ye ole Wolf here.
More after lunch on the show.
TTYLY
I truly hate assholes, and it seems as though there are more of them every day. For many , its the fact that it has to shine, like a chrome and glitter, but chrome and glitter is not always going to get you out of a snow bank, or up a 70 degree canyon.
Today a friend of Rick's my partner at the shop,(more on that in a minute) but the bunch was unloading some firewood. There was a chrome wheel in the snow and frozen, they jerked it out, but not before it took out a chunk of Rick's friend's Ford. There was some talk back and forth. Much of it having to do with LexiBelle, not being able and all. I wanted to smack the guy, sure LexiBelle would never make it at a pride and polish show, but I'd like to see this friend's Ford do what LexiBelle has done, under the conditions LexiBelle has done them. Buried deep in mud and near quick sludge up to the door handles pullin a one and a half GI truck out of the river bottoms, near Hazzard. Up a 70 degree mountain side, a truck 3 times heavier than LexiBelle, A Subaru Brat out of the deep mud near 1000 springs resort just outside of Hazzard, or a 5 ton, plus Chevy spud truck loaded with 98 sacks of spuds in the back with a single dually flat inside. Or pulling trees over even with LexiBelle's nose in the air, but still pulled those old Russian Olive trees down, the list goes on and on, but thing is, even as bad as she looks, she's still up for the job, and ready to take on anything, her size and heavier. It's like when young folks bad mouth older people, just because there's snow on the roof don't mean there ain't no fire in the furnace, its not the size of the Wolf, in the fight, its how much fight there is in the wolf. LexiBelle has recovered Evil Knievels rocket motorcycle from the Snake River Canyon, and done jobs many ten times her size would haven't even tried. Yes there's a bunch of cosmetic and some mechanical work to do, but make no mistake, LexiBelle is ready for action,
Oh and to my friend Rick, remember partner on our way home, LexiBelle left your truck in the dust. Don't judge since your judgement day may be nigh and who says old means over?
TTYLY
Some run from the light, as for me I run , no, I charge right into it. Being on stage, acting, playing music or for that matter TV and especially radio, has always been a passion. Even as far back as age 6 when our air club that was supported in part by Cub Scout pack 303 of Layton Utah, we had this thing we did at Admiral Bernie's show on KSL 5, (many can't remember theat even Lori Prichard) but Bernie saw what I had and told my parents not to discourage my talent. Or at least encourage me getting into the business. By 6th grade I was already playing drums in a garage band, and doing bit commercials. At age 7, went to the Fireman Frank show at KCPX-4(now KTVX) met with the staff of then hit pop rock station KCPX's program director Wooly Waldron, and began in broadcasting. So there I was , doing radio weekends, playing music, and of course going through flight training. That was my chosen careers. The tow truck, and all that came way later.
There was this play that Miss Egbert at then Central Davis Junior High in Layton Utah, I had to wear a dress and put on make up, especially lipstick, stockings and heels. Hey the lipstick tasted like I just ate a Crayon, the stockings kept slipping down and the heels made me feel like I was walking downhill all of the time, but I was on stage, in front of an audience and was loving the heck out of it. As a child I was a bit too shy, I'd hide from those that I didn't know, plus it'd me that had to warm up to other people, not the other way around like it is now. Back then, if strange people came to the house, I'd find the biggest chair or hiding place and there I'd remain until the stranger left. But when our air club the initial formation of the AyreWolvez long before the TV show Airwolf, but the wolf pack needed me, and I stepped up, and havent looked back. I love public speaking, public performing, I thirst after it, the more publicity the better. Not all are like that, but nothing cures fear like facing that what you fear head on. I have a friend who is of the same LDS Ward of mine, his name is Dave. A few weeks ago now, he came to me, asking could I help him in his Disc Jockey aspirations for a contest being put up , by Wal-Mart. I said sure. Then last week or so he wanted to dive into HazzardAyre Radio and what we are continually building, after all as its been said, he who does not grow dies. Haven't heard from Dave, nor Vern since. One on air, the other engineering. There is this fever growing here in the west, the old conservative attitudes and being stuck up as far as TV and radio, is eroding. What is taking place is the rising of what was once taboo, into more of a popular view. To give you an example, once Bozo the Clown and the Howdy Duddie Show was seen as too extreme. What is now HazzardAyre, broke those molds. The first in the region to openly air Dr. Ruth's Sexually Speaking, the first to air Dr. Demento, the first to be that not always LDS approved radio. Not always nasty, but pushing against and bursting through the envelope. Just like I did in the air I now do on the air. But I'm getting off topic. I love that spotlight, I thirst for it, and I take the chance to be in front of the camera and behind the mic as much as I can.
For those looking for that spotlight, we have open doors and welcome chairs, but you have to want it, you have to hunger for it, not just the cash stash, but the art of the craft.
L8R Aviators
By the end or near end of a 500 mile race, I'm about to sleep, today wasn't that day. Number 17 was predicted to win todays Daytona 500, yet withing a half mile from the flag, Denny Hamlin, pushes over and kazinga wins the 500 , but only by milliseconds. It was tight, and unfortunately our sweet heart got taken out through a bump, I did notice several things there and what is going on there. Danica is just not racking up wins, usually qualifies at near the rear of the pack, and does little to fight to get in the top 10 , let alone the top 5. I remember Chad Lyttle number 23 of when Deere and Company sponsored a Rousche Racing car. Chad always finished, but so far back that little if any mention was made of him throughtout a race, but I also noticed he was the talk of the arena, when he scored the 500 in 1996. Shortly after that Deere was about to back out of NASCAR until a long conversation between the Knytes/AyreWolvez and Deere, and Dixie Deere Racing/Motorsports was constructed to run the Truck series circuit. Number 69 is the number assigned by NASCAR to Dixie/Deere, and a ride is currently being put together along with a team, and a driver for 2017.
Any mile, hitting the rack to be back at 23:00(11:00PM) for RodeWolf Radio, and of course at 07:00 Monday HazzardAyre Radio Early edition.
TTYLY
Due to circumstances beyond our control no RodeWolf Trucker Radio this morning, but we will be on air at 18:00 Hours(6:00PM) However HazzardAyre Radio will be on at 15:00 Hours(3:00PM) at www.livestream.com/hazzardayre Join us then .
TTYLY
