SEMA: What A Crazy Experience

Alright I know I'm a little late but man have I been busy! So as you guys know, I went to Fort Smith, Arkansas to do a little filming of Kris Carroll's S10 project dubbed the Smoothster prior to heading to SEMA in Vegas. After about 3 and half hours of driving I got to California Customs which was one of two shops the truck was being built at. The severity of how fast they had to work hit me when I walked into their shop to only see a powder coated frame with just a motor set in place. They basically had 5 days to paint and assemble an entire truck...and I got it all on film! I even had a hand in sanding it and helping Nfamus Keith with the custom grill which was pretty cool.




After about 20 hours of driving with having to deal with two blowouts on the trailer, dealing with a shady tire shop employed with crack heads, and almost losing control of the trailer, we had finally made it to the big show. We ended up staying at the Stratosphere which was actually pretty nice for the price. It was my first time staying there and was crazy watching people ride the roller coasters at the top as well as jumping off from the top.

With the Smoothster unloaded, cleaned up, and put in it's spot at the show, it was an awesome feeling knowing Kris and the rest of his friends had made it happen. The truck had a ton of looks, a lot of photos taken of it, few video companies shot it, and Kris did a couple interviews about it.

Kris wasn't the only one there with a nice ride obviously and man oh man was this show PACKED with sick whips! Outside, all of the different styles were all jam-packed together not leaving much room to take photos easily. Inside, there are 3 different buildings for those who have never been. And yes, each building is HUGE and PACKED too. I was there every day and I don't know if I even walked half of what SEMA had to offer. There were so many different style of rides and tons of cool new products as well as tools. My legs were definitely sore after 4 days of walking and walking and walking.

If you read my previous blog you would of known that I turned 21 right before heading to Vegas. It was awesome not being "that kid" who wasn't old enough to go to the bars with everyone. Pretty much each night we'd go out somewhere to eat and do a little (or a lot) of drinking. It is WAY too easy spending money in Vegas, I learned that quick! Was fun seeing and hanging out with friends in the scene from all over the country too.

Once the last day of the show was over, we loaded up the truck and headed on out. Of course it would of been too easy if the drive home went smoothly. Right when we got to about the Nevada/Arizona line we hit snow. Yes, snow...and LOTS of it. Snow plus the middle of the night do not make a good pair. We kept on truckin' along and eventually beat out the storm without any problems. Did our bad luck stop there? Nope! We had stopped at the Texas/Oklahoma border to eat and fill up on gas. Well we pull into a Chevron/Taco Bell and go eat. We walk back out after stuffing our faces to only realize an entire wheel is gone from the trailer. There's no knowing when it fell off...and what's crazy is no one even noticed or felt the tire coming off or driving with it missing. We end up having to wait about seven hours for another truck and trailer from Arkansas so we could get the Smoothster home more safely. We finally make it back to the shop about 24 hours later from when we left Vegas with the only damage being the missing wheel from the trailer and somehow the Smoothster jerked on the new trailer and the tires hit the fenders causing a little body damage but nothing too bad.

All in all it was a trip which not many people can say they've been able to experience before. This will definitely be something I never forget. I went to Arkansas not really knowing anyone besides a couple people but left with new friends and people I had an honor meeting. California Customs and myself are already talking of another build video for SEMA 2012. Stay tuned!

To check out the photos I took at SEMA, click here!

Viva Las Vegas!

Guess who is going to the "Mecca" of all car shows? That's right! For the first time I get to go to Vegas and experience the awesome-ness that is SEMA! Just like everyone else I have always wanted to go to SEMA at least once, just one time and I could die happy.




A few weeks ago my buddy Robbie Bryant (owner of the Dodge Ram dubbed "Head Hunter") gave me a call and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. He asked if I could do a feature video of his Ram along with a finish up build video for Kris Carrol's S10 project "Smoothster" that will be debuted this year at SEMA in exchange to go to Vegas for 11 days with them. And of course I said yes!



Robbie Bryant's Ram I'll be driving in for the trip and doing a feature video of

So later this month I'll be heading east to California Customs in Fort Smith, AR and get down on some filming of the final assembly for Project Smoothster. Going to get a few days worth of wrenching and interviews of Kris and others lending a hand. From there we'll all head out to Vegas and get the rides inside the show. After the show is over, the Smoothster will get shot for Mini Truckin' at the dry lake beds. That's where I plan on shooting Robbie's Ram as well. Once that's all good and done it'll be time to head back home.



Kris Carrol's S10 I'll be doing a final assembly video of

Also it just so happens I turn 21 the day before we leave to SEMA...what good timing right? You could say I'm a little bit excited for this trip! Also looking forward to hang out with some old buddies and see a couple rides there that I've done renderings for. Should be good times for sure!

Good Times In El DorAYdo Springs, MO

This past weekend I went up to El Dorado Springs, MO with Frenchy from SoLo Films DVD to help knock out two birds with one stone. Originally we were planning on going down to Texas for the Sparks On The Water show until we found out more info on our buddy Ben Bland's show. We got there Friday afternoon and just hung out for a bit before getting some shut eye for the show the next day. It was more of a hot rod show which was a little nice for a change, quite a few nice rides too.

Click here for more show coverage photos!



One of my favorites at the show



Saturday after the show Ben had an after party back at his shop 2 miles away from where the show was. Although the show was mostly hot rods, there were quite a bit of mini truckers there from Oklahoma and Missouri. Everyone had a good time at the shop for sure.

Sunday rolls around pretty quick and we head back to the shop to clean up and get ready for the shop feature on Ben Bland Customs for SoLo Films DVD. During this time other people start to head out back home. After we finished getting shots around the shop and interviewing everyone, we went and shot Ben's Dodge Dakota.



Ben Bland's Dodge Dakota we shot

///RA All Star Show

This was my "first" year attending this show. I was in town for it last year coincidentally but only went for a couple hours the first day. This year though I was able to get more of the full experience....and let me tell you what, this show definitely lives up to the hype as one of the best shows in the country. I heard there were about 400 entries with a ton of nice rides. Not sure how many spectators there were but it seemed like I was always having to work around people while filming. This is definitely must attend show for all. There were even quite a few people from the west coast that made it out which should tell you something.

We didn't have a booth at this show so we mostly hung out with some of our Cambered Video buddies at their booth. Shade was definitely needed on Saturday as it was sunny and hot out...even got me a nice farmers tan from it. Sunday was nice though as it was overcast and cooler with a decent breeze. It sprinkled off and on but nothing much and awards were moved earlier in the day in case of actual rain.



Feature for SoLo Films DVD I helped with

Unfortunately the photo above was the only photo I took all weekend. Filming definitely took up most of my time, plus I didn't have anyone to shoot photos for anyways. Saturday afternoon and sunday morning I helped shoot Colin Havens Chevy C10 out of Batesville Mississippi for SoLo Films DVD. He was definitely a cool guy and his feature should turn out pretty nice.

Priorities?

Priorities plural of pri·or·i·ty (Noun)
1. A thing that is regarded as more important than another.
2. The fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important.

Having a nice looking ride is cool and all, but I've seen too many people in the scene with messed up priorities. Maybe they've been watching Cambered Videos lately, but I don't think they're to blame...I kid I kid. Joking aside, it makes me scratch my head when I see people dumping all their money into their truck or other hobby while they live in a craphole apartment with their baby mama and 3 kids eating top ramen every night. How do you expect to move on in life if you're working a dead end job spending your money on toys? Why not use that money for something more substantial? Some people need to grow up and realize building a custom truck isn't for everyone whether you like it or not.

I can already say I've "been there done that" at the age of 20. I had a bagged Chevy fullsize that I was driving to school every day with not a whole lot of money coming in. Any cash I had was going into that money pit. After having to use up all my bail bonds I had gotten growing up to get my whole backhalf redone to ensure the safety of myself and those on the road, I wised up and got rid of it. What did I get after? A solid, less modified truck that was reliable. Sure it's not that awesome and I don't get random thumbs up from people on the road, but it sure beats not being broke all the time. Now I'm more stress-free when it comes to my truck and one less worry. Once my financial situation allows me to play more, you bet damn sure I'll build another bagged truck. In the meantime, it's not quite in the cards. I have a life to live and goals to meet outside of a toy. I'm sure most of you do too...

Slamily Reunion 2011

Another successful, and hot like usual, year for Slamily Reunion which was held August 5-7 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Just like the first two years, the guys who run Slamily did nothing short than put together another quality show. Yes it was just as hot as last year which people complained about, but it didn't stop too many people from having a good time. Luckily the building on the show grounds was open for people to cool down from the heat.



Best of Show and $1,000 cash winner


One of my favorite rides there I had not seen before

I've always liked going to this show, granted it's one of the closer shows to me being 3 and a half hours away. The SoLo Films crew and myself drove out there Friday afternoon and just hung out at the hotel that night...but morning time sure came quick! Most of the day Saturday I hung out at the booth and took a couple rounds checking out the rides taking pics. This year sure seemed to have a lot of entries compared to the previous two years. Throughout the day there was a live dj and contests such as lowest/highest truck, hot wing eating contest, sweet tea chug, best tattoo, kid's rootbeer chug, and kid's coloring contest.



Classic Chevy with a mean hot rod style


Was glad to finally see this sweet Tacoma in person

Later on in the evening I helped with a double feature for SoLo Films' next DVD. We shot Dave Couch's blue Chevy Dually and his wife's new Silverado. It was my first time meeting them and let me tell you what, Mr White Trash Customs and his whole family/entourage were awesome people. After that we had a nice big dinner then headed to the Candlewood hotel where most of the show-goers were at and hung out there for a bit.



White Trash Customs' double feature shoot for SoLo Films DVD

Come Sunday it was a little cooler than the previous day which made it nicer. This was when I did most of my filming. Like usual, the last day of a show is pretty laid back as people are starting to pack up and head back home. We didn't end up staying for the awards but I heard this year's one off trophies were awesome.

Click here to check out more of my photo coverage!

Camp N Drag 2011

I know I've been kinda slacking on updating this thing, but I've been busy doing yada yada and doing blah blah blah! I'm trying to get back into blog mode and share more within what I do as well as the truck community. First up is a little coverage from Camp N Drag which was held July 15-17 in Waveland, Indiana.



Made the 12 hour drive with Blaine Hawkins from Severed Ties Oklahoma and the SoLo Films crew

First off let me say this, if you didn't make it to this show then you need to make it a priority to go next year! This being my first year attending the show was one of the hands down best shows I've been to. Everything about it was just awesome and I had no complaints. The location was in a camping area by Lake Waveland which was also spacious with green grass and nice paved roads. The weather was pretty hot but I've been to shows where it was hotter. There were an abundance of nice rides, plenty of which I had not seen before (or just not in person) being 12 hours northeast. There were quite a few Canadians that made the trip as well.



Rum Runner was there cruising around all weekend, even giving Mr Mini Truckin' John Mata a spin

When we rolled in Friday, most people were pretty spread out setting up or just hanging out. Saturday and sunday during the show, they had all the rides who registered move into the main area of the park which was also where the vendors, food, and music was. This made it nice when walking the show so you didn't have to walk around the entire park to see the registered rides. Along with the show going on most of the day, they also had a truck limbo contest, bikini constest, live dj, and raffles.

Overall it was an awesome show with nice rides, good location and weather for a show, cool people, and a fun Friday & Saturday night! I will be sure to go back next year and encourage everyone to make the trip out there, you won't be disappointed...and if you were, you don't know how to have a good time.

Click here to check out my photo coverage of the show!



Had a trailer flat on the way back but luckily no real damage


Snapped a pic of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri on the way home